U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) helped lead a bipartisan contingent of 18 of her Senate colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to immediately release program year 2026 guidance and funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP) to ensure both programs continue uninterrupted operations.
“By expeditiously deploying WAP and SEP formula funds, the department can make an important difference in improving the reliability of the grid and in helping reduce the burden on Americans who struggle to pay their energy bills,” wrote the senators in a May 14 letter sent to DOE Secretary Chris Wright.
WAP and SEP provide formula funding to all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia to address energy affordability, reliability, and security. States use WAP funds to weatherize homes for low-income Americans, while SEP provides funding to help states improve energy security, increase energy efficiency, and boost economic growth.
The lawmakers wrote that DOE typically publishes annual Weatherization Program Notices in December of the prior year to provide state offices adequate time for planning, public comment periods, and DOE approval ahead of April 1 and July 1 program year start dates.
Similarly, DOE typically publishes annual SEP grant applications in February.
“However, DOE still has not issued WAP nor SEP application guidance,” they wrote. “Without these instructions, state offices do not have necessary information to develop and submit plans, creating uncertainty for program timelines, targets, and workforce planning.”
Continued delays, they added, could cause “severe program disruptions,” including state program pauses and weatherization network layoffs for subgrantees and home weatherization contractors.
Sen. Collins and her colleagues also noted that to avoid further delays to program start dates, DOE should not only immediately release the guidance, but also speed state application approvals and the release of appropriated funds.
“DOE regulations require the agency to approve or deny timely filed WAP and SEP applications within 60 days,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge you to speed this review period to minimize adverse impacts on state programs.”
The senators called on the administration to release nearly $360 million across the country for the WAP and $66 million for the SEP.
Among the members who joined Sen. Collins in signing the letter was U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI).