Some Wisconsin residents will soon be able to access federal dollars to help weatherize their homes.
The Obama Administration is providing Wisconsin with over $56 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. White House Green Jobs coordinator Van Jones says those funds are aimed at making about 18,400 more energy efficient by adding new insulation and replacing older appliances.
The money will be available to families living at about 200-percent of the federal poverty line. Jones says it's expected to help them spend less on heating their homes, and direct more of that money towards buying other essentials.
Jones says the program is also expected to create new jobs by increasing the needed for labor related to weatherization and businesses selling the materials.
The weatherization program is expected to be carried out over the next three years. Jones says the funding will be distributed through state and local government agencies.