Josh Riley Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Lower Energy Costs

Today, Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) and a bipartisan group of members, including Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), introduced the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act to take on utility monopolies while creating good-paying union jobs and lowering energy costs for Upstate New Yorkers.

"Families across Upstate New York are sitting around the kitchen table every week trying to figure out how to make ends meet. And as if things aren't hard enough, big utility companies are proposing double-digit rate hikes, all while bragging to their investors about their record profits. Enough is enough," said Congressman Josh Riley."This bipartisan bill helps families make home improvements to save on utilities while creating good-paying union jobs. The big utility companies don't deserve another break, but working families do, and I'm fighting every day to deliver."

The bill would strengthen and expand the Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps make homes more energy efficient with improvements like enhanced insulation, air sealing and moisture control. The average family who takes advantage of the program saves up to $400 per year on their utility bills.

The bill reauthorizes the Weatherization Assistance Program through 2030, raises funding caps so more families can benefit from the service, creates and prioritizes good-paying, union labor jobs, and establishes the Weatherization Readiness Program to fix homes that need repairs before they can be weatherized.

Congressman Riley's full remarks on the House floor in support of the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act are available HERE.