Weatherization program to be recognized by federal energy officials

A state weatherization program that received $132 million in federal stimulus money will be recognized by federal energy officials for putting the dollars to work.

A U.S. Department of Energy representative on Wednesday will give the Weatherization Assistance Program an award as one of the top performers in the country for progress made in using the funds.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce's Office of Energy Security administers the program mostly through Community Action Partnerships throughout the state. The award presentation will take place Wednesday at a Community Action Partnership weatherization office in Vadnais Heights.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included $132 million in weatherization assistance funds. The state Legislature has also appropriated nearly $16 million for the current fiscal year.

So far, nearly 1,400 homes have been weatherized in Minnesota using the federal stimulus funds, and another 2,300 homes are expected to be weatherized with the funds.