Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2023

To amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to improve the weatherization assistance program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2023 2. Weatherization Assistance Program (a) Weatherization Readiness Fund Section 414 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6864 (d) Weatherization Readiness Fund (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a fund, to be known as the Weatherization Readiness Fund (2) Use of funds (A) In general A State receiving funds under paragraph (1) shall use the funds for repairs to dwelling units described in subparagraph (B) that will remediate the applicable structural defects or hazards of the dwelling unit so that weatherization measures may be installed. (B) Dwelling unit A dwelling unit referred to in subparagraph (A) is a dwelling unit occupied by a low-income person that, on inspection pursuant to the program under this part, was found to have significant defects or hazards that prevented the installation of weatherization measures under the program. (3) Authorization of appropriations In addition to amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 422, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection. . (b) State average cost per unit (1) In general Section 415(c) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6865(c) (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (I) in the first sentence, by striking $6,500 $12,000 (II) by striking (c)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) (c) Financial assistance (1) In general Except as provided in paragraphs (3), (4), and (6) ; (ii) by conforming the margins of subparagraphs (A) through (D) to the margin of subparagraph (E); (iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking , and ; and (iv) in subparagraph (E), by adding a period at the end; (B) in paragraph (2), in the first sentence, by striking weatherized (including dwelling units partially weatherized) fully weatherized (C) in paragraph (4), by striking $3,000 $6,000 (D) in paragraph (5)— (i) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking (6)(A)(ii) (7)(A)(ii) (ii) by striking (6)(A)(i)(I) (7)(A)(i)(I) (E) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and (F) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: (6) Limit increase The Secretary may increase the amount of financial assistance provided per dwelling unit under this part beyond the limit specified in paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that market conditions require such an increase to achieve the purposes of this part. . (2) Conforming amendment Section 414D(b)(1)(C) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6864d(b)(1)(C) 415(c)(6)(A) 415(c)(7)

Summary: Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2023 This bill expands the Weatherization Assistance Program of the Department of Energy (DOE). The existing program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. The bill establishes a Weatherization Readiness Fund from which DOE may distribute funds to states for repairing structural defects or hazards of such homes so that weatherization measures may be installed. In addition, the bill increases the cap on the amount of funding that may be spent on (1) each home for labor, weatherization materials, and related matter; and (2) renewable energy systems in homes. The bill also eliminates a prohibition on providing funding for partially weatherized homes that have received assistance within the past 15 years. Instead, the bill applies this prohibition on fully weatherized homes.