Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2022
Bill: S.3769 | Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack (D-RI)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2022
This bill expands the Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program, including by establishing a Weatherization Readiness Fund. If the dwellings of low-income households have significant defects or hazards that prevent the installation of weatherization (e.g., energy efficiency) measures under the program, then states may use the fund for repairing such defects and hazards.

To amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to improve the 
       weatherization assistance program, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Weatherization Assistance Program 
Improvements Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Weatherization Readiness Fund.--Section 414 of the Energy 
Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6864) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(d) Weatherization Readiness Fund.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a fund, to 
        be known as the `Weatherization Readiness Fund', from which the 
        Secretary shall distribute funds to States receiving financial 
        assistance under this part, in accordance with subsection (a).
            ``(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 to carry out 
        this subsection $65,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
        through 2027.''.
    (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)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A)--
                                    (I) in the first sentence, by 
                                striking ``$6,500'' and inserting 
                                ``$12,000''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``(c)(1) Except as 
                                provided in paragraphs (3) and (4)'' 
                                and inserting the following:
    ``(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 inserting ``; 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)'' and inserting ``fully 
                weatherized'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$3,000'' and 
                inserting ``$6,000'';
                    (D) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking 
                        ``(6)(A)(ii)'' and inserting ``(7)(A)(ii)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``(6)(A)(i)(I)'' each 
                        place it appears and inserting 
                        ``(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)) is amended by striking ``415(c)(6)(A)'' and 
        inserting ``415(c)(7)''.
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