Reed Welcomes $2.37M for RI Energy Savings Programs

PROVIDENCE, RI - President Trump's misguided policies have caused a surge in electricity and utility prices. The most recent data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) illustrates how Trump's policies, including his war in Iran and partisan decision to cancel or stall 378 energy projects nationwide representing $65 billion in investments, have contributed to increased household electricity prices, which have spiked 18 percent since January 2025.

After bipartisan prodding led by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Susan Collins, the Trump Administration has finally released $2,374,162 for Rhode Island to help local families and businesses lower energy bills through key federal programs: the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP); the Weatherization Readiness Fund (WRF); and the State Energy Program (SEP).

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is sending Rhode Island $1,690,353 in WAP funding to assist low-income families with free home energy efficiency upgrades that lower their monthly utility bills; $187,499 in WRF payments designed to help vulnerable families with basic structural safety repairs that are needed before standard energy-efficiency retrofits can be implemented; and $496,310 in SEP funds to support energy reliability, availability, and security while helping businesses and residents save on energy costs.

This action follows a letter sent earlier this year that was led by Reed and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) along with 17 of their Senate colleagues, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, urging the Trump Administration to release the delayed funding for these programs. At the time, the Trump Administration had not issued the annual guidance states needed to apply for the funds, threatening disruptions to these programs.

"Too many Americans are struggling under the Trump affordability crisis, especially when it comes to high energy costs. While the Trump Administration's misguided policies are driving up energy costs, this federal funding offers some much needed assistance to help families lower their utility bills, now and in the future," said Senator Reed. "Even with prices surging, the Trump Administration needlessly tried to hold this funding back until my colleagues and I worked on a bipartisan basis to press the Trump Administration into releasing these funds so state agencies can get them flowing into the community where they can help people in need."

Over the years, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more than 7.4 million low-income households reduce their energy bills through comprehensive energy-efficiency retrofits that include new ductwork, heat pumps, and air sealing -- saving each household an average of $372 annually. The program supports 8,500 jobs and provides weatherization services to approximately 32,000 homes nationwide each year, according to DOE.

The State Energy Program combines the scientific and economic expertise of the Department of Energy with locally led planning to improve the energy efficiency of hospitals and schools, support energy projects, and encourage private-sector innovation. An Oak Ridge National Laboratory study found that every federal dollar invested in the SEP leverages more than $10 for energy-related economic development and produces more than $7 in energy savings.

Despite the Trump Administration's attempts to eliminate WAP and SEP altogether, Senators Reed and Collins led the bipartisan effort to reject his proposed funding cuts for these programs.

Senator Reed is also a cosponsor of the Investing in State Energy Act of 2026, which would speed up the delivery of federal grant funding from WAP and SEP that has already been approved by Congress to state agencies and local partners that implement these cost-saving energy initiatives.

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