Governor Jennifer Granholm today declared October 30 as Weatherization Day in Michigan, a time for government and local community agencies to help low-income residents find ways to stay warm this winter.

"Weatherization Day is an opportunity to let families struggling with energy bills know that there are assistance programs available to them that result in reduced energy costs and safer homes," Granholm said. "These services help those families reduce energy consumption and meet the challenges of the cold weather season."

Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) administers federal funds that reduce the energy burden on low-income families by installing cost-effective measures that increase a home's energy efficiency.

"Rising energy bills associated with the winter months affect all families in our community and the hardest hit are low-income families," said DHS director Marianne Udow. "Low-income households can pay as much as 40 percent of their income for energy compared to 6 percent for middle class households."

A Weatherization Day event is scheduled Oct. 19 from 9 AM–3 PM at the state Capitol. The event celebrates the weatherization of 250,000 low-income Michigan homes. The collaborative effort is led by Capital Area Community Services, DHS Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity, and Michigan Community Action Agency Association (MCAAA). Peter Dreyfuss, director of the U.S. Department of Energy Midwest Regional Office, will attend and speak at the opening ceremony. He will recognize Michigan on its weatherization program and the completion of 250,000 weatherized low-income homes. Other invited speakers include state Sen. Mark Schauer of Battle Creek, Tom Mathieu, executive director of Michigan Community Action Agency Association, Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides and Marianne Udow. Displays on the Capitol lawn will include weatherization program information, a history of Michigan's program, demonstrations of weatherization program diagnostic equipment and onsite energy education sessions.

Michigan's weatherization providers are inviting state legislators and the general public to a guided tour of a weatherized home on Lapeer Street in Lansing that day. Shuttle transportation to the weatherization demonstration house from the Capitol will be available from 9:30 AM-2:30 PM.

"With higher natural gas prices this winter, weatherization is more important than ever," said Michigan Public Service Commission Chair J. Peter Lark. "I encourage Michigan residents to examine their homes closely to see where weatherization efforts could help reduce utility bills."

A network of 33 local agencies – primarily community action agencies – deliver services to more than 4,000 low-income households each year. Services typically average about $2,500 per household and are available in every county statewide.

Since the inception of Michigan's Weatherization Assistance Program in 1976 more than 250,000 homes have been made more energy efficient. Local technicians use computerized energy audits and advanced diagnostics to determine the most cost-effective measures for each home and assess related health and safety conditions.

These households save an average of $275 to $324 on their annual heating bills after the weatherization work is completed. Weatherization services include installing insulation, sealing and balancing ducts, cleaning and repairing heating system, and minimizing heat loss through windows and doors, carbon monoxide monitoring, and education on basic energy conservation activities.

• For more information go to www.michigan.gov/dhs-weatherization
• To locate your weatherization operator near you go to http://www.mcaaa.org/