Minnesota got the official word today that the state will be receiving more than $186.1 million in weatherization funding and energy efficiency grants.

The weatherization funding will include $131,937,411, while the State Energy Program will receive $54,172,000. Talk about an increase. Just last year Minnesota only received $10 million for weatherization work, which is about 4,000 homes. Now the increased funding will help over 35,000 Minnesota families reduce their energy costs up to 32 percent. Talk about putting money into efficiency, which has been a staple of President Obama's energy plan. With the signing of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 many changes took affect.

• houses are now eligible for weatherization work up to $6,500, compared to $2,500 just last year
• families making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level--about $44,000 per yr--compared to 150 percent last year.
• training and technical assistance increased from 10 percent to 20 percent, which in turn can create more jobs

Currently, 38 million households are eligible for weatherization services. Overall, the Recovery Act provides $5 billion for weatherization across the country, which will help achieve the president's goal of weatherizing 1 million homes per year. This is huge. Since the inception of the weatherization program in 1976, 6.2 million households have been weatherized. We may now achieve that number in only 6 years compared to 30 years. The annual savings of $344 per household is significant, which in turn could contribute to the economy, not only through consumer spending but job development as well.

The Minnesota State Energy Program is also on the money train with $54 million in funding for rebates to consumers for home energy audits or other energy saving improvements.

These could include:

• development of renewable energy project for clean electricity generation and alternative fuels
• promotion of Energy Star products
• efficiency upgrade for local and state buildings
• yet to be determined ideas/projects to help families save on energy costs

Things are starting to look a little green around here!