WASHINGTON – As American families face record-high energy costs and a slowing economy, U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.), today announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes more than $113 million for Maryland through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DoE) weatherization and energy assistance programs.

 “Marylanders are struggling with high energy costs and these federal funds will help families meet their energy needs and save money by weatherizing their homes,” said Senator Cardin. “Funding for energy assistance and weatherization is a win-win for our nation. It will help us become less dependent on foreign energy while helping low-income families pay their bills.”

“Families and businesses in Maryland and across the country need our help. They are stretched and strained by high energy costs in these tough economic times and they need a government that’s on their side,” said Senator Mikulski, who has fought to make funding for federal energy assistance a priority in the federal checkbook. “These American Recovery funds will help struggling Marylanders by reducing the burden of energy costs and at the same time will lessen the strain on our energy systems and support the economies of communities that are hurting the most.”

The funding will support Maryland’s Weatherization and Low-Income Energy Programs and Maryland’s State Energy Program. Maryland’s Weatherization and Low Income Energy Programs will receive $61,441,745 of the funds to help reduce energy costs for low-income families and at the same time reduce the nation’s overall energy dependency, improve the environment, and stimulate economic development in low-income communities. Weatherization involves a wide variety of energy efficiency measures for homes, including creating efficiencies in heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, and electricity consuming appliances. The DoE estimates that weatherization saves $1.83 in energy costs for every dollar of investment.

Maryland’s state energy program will receive $51,772,000 of the funds to help low-income Maryland families pay their heating bills, minimize heating crises and make energy costs more affordable.

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy Web site for more information on Maryland’s Weatherization and Low Income Energy Programs.