What NYSWDA is doing in regards to Legislative Issues

March 7-9, 2006

Staff will be meeting with Federal Representatives at the NCAF Legislative Conference in Washington DC.  Plans are to meet with Schumer's and Hillary's Staff as well as others.   It was decided at the last PAC meeting that representatives from NY should make the trip to Washington to let federal representative know our position on the 33% federal cut in DOE Weatherization Funds. 

February 22nd, 2006

Staff participated with NYSCAA Director at the Press Conference for Citizens Bank's low interest energy loans for low income families.  Assemblyman Tonko also attended.  Click Here for Capital News 9's coverage

February 6th 2006

Staff met with the staff of Senators Bruno and Wright.  Also met with staff of Assemblyman Tonko. 

Purpose was to advance the position of NYSWDA/NYSCAA that NY State should should support the Weatherization Program as a long term solution to the energy crisis low-income families are facing.  There appears to be strong support, especially from Assemblyman Tonko for this idea.

February 1st 2006

Staff testified at the Assembly Standing Committees on Energy, Social Services and Aging.  This was a public hearing on the implementation and effectiveness of NY's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Purpose was to express NYSWDA's thanks to the Assembly for stepping up to the plate on the HEAP funding in light of the fact that the federal HEAP dollars were not keeping up with rising energy costs. 
Also we (James McGarvey, David Hepinstall and Ron Deutsch) testified that we were concerned that the State had not specified a percentage of these funds to be used for Weatherization.  We also had concern that OTDA may try to reduce the 15% of the Federal HEAP Grant. 

Writing Letters & Emails Help Page

Legislators Contact Information  - This page has address and email address of Legislators as well as  Position Paper by NCAF and NASCSP

Supporting Data Links

Peak Oil - Information on concept of Peak Oil
Hirsch Report - DOE Sponsored Study on Peak Oil
Comments by Legislators - This page has comments by Legislators related to Peak Oil at the Federal Level
Congress's  Resolution - Resolution introduced by Congressman Bartlett

Data on Weatherization

Energy Factor - Information that demonstrates how much energy low income homes use compared to the national average
What is Weatherization? - Information on what exactly our program does
Program Overview - National Overview of the Weatherization Program

 

Back to NYSWDA's Legislative Page