DEQ announces $10 million home repair readiness program in WNC
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The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality State Energy Office announced a $10 million Home Repair Weatherization Readiness Program to supplement North Carolina’s existing Weatherization Assistance Program.
The new funding covers counties damaged by Hurricane Helene and identified as “Most Impacted and Distressed” under the State of North Carolina Action Plan.
SEO is awarding $6 million in readiness funding to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments and $4 million to the following current WAP service providers: Blue Ridge Community Action, Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, Community Action Opportunities, Four Square Community Action, ICARE Inc., Macon County Government, Mountain Projects Inc., WAMY Community Action, Yadkin Valley Economic Development District. The program’s goal is to serve more than 575 households.
As part of North Carolina’s Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 – Part II (SL 2024-53), these funds provide flexibility to resolve home repair issues for affected homes on the WAP deferral lists. Households are placed on the deferral list if a house needs major repairs or other work that is not eligible for WAP funding. This program seeks to also address households on the WAP’s waitlists.
“This new weatherization readiness funding is an important piece of the comprehensive effort to accelerate long-term recovery and strengthen energy resilience in communities hit hard by Helene,” said Reid Wilson, DEQ Secretary. “These projects will drive down home utility bills and ensure safer, healthier and more energy-efficient homes for families who need it most.”
Weatherization can reduce energy usage at the household level by making energy-efficient upgrades such as installing insulation, replacing inefficient HVAC systems and sealing air leaks. By making households energy efficient, DEQ is helping to lower carbon emissions while reducing overall strain on the electric grid, making the grid and homes more resilient to extreme weather.
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For more information about the DEQ State Energy Office, visit deq.nc.gov/state-energy-office.
For more information on the DEQ Weatherization Assistance Program, visit deq.nc.gov/energy-climate/state-energy-office/weatherization-assistance-program. For more information on the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, visit wpcog.org.
