Feds pump dollars into north Idaho weatherization program

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Story Published: Jul 11, 2009 at 6:07 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 11, 2009 at 6:07 PM PDT

By KLEW Web Staff

LEWISTON – The federal government is injecting money into Idaho to help people stay warm this winter and save energy.

The money's coming from the federal stimulus package through the Department of Energy. Idaho is due to get about $30 million. That means $4-6 million for the 10 northern counties from Riggins to the Canadian border.

But since federal officials are still trying to work out new pay requirements, Idaho officials are fearful extended delays will result in less work getting done than they'd originally planned.

"If it goes past the end of this month, it's going to be a great concern," said Christina Zamora, head of energy programs at the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho.

Officials from Community Action Partnership in Lewiston say they are gearing up to do three times the amount of weatherization they've been doing, including hiring 30 people and opening an office in Coeur d'Alene.

The funding also means more work for contractors who help with electrical and other systems that can be upgraded as part of the weatherization process.

(Associated Press contributed to this story.)

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