State weatherization and utility‑assistance leaders told the House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure that key programs used to lower heating bills and repair homes are in transition: LIHEAP operations continue pending federal appropriations, DOE weatherization grants are running, and the Inflation Reduction Act’s Homes award (roughly $29 million) is approved but awaiting DOE launch guidance. At the same time, ARPA‑sourced funds used for pre‑weatherization home repairs and vermiculite abatement are scheduled to expire, creating a local gap unless alternative funding is secured.

Jeff Wilcox, who leads weatherization work at the Office of Economic Opportunity, described program timing and funding: the annual DOE state plan was delayed this year but is now approved; OEO is tracking IIJA/BIL funds (about $14 million for the office) and ARPA funds available through FY2026. He told lawmakers, “Without those funds is when we do have a cliff, and it would be significant, June 30 or 20 seventh,” referencing the end of the ARPA funding window for home‑repair support.

Richard Giddings, heating and utility assistance program director at the Department for Children and Families, said Vermont receives about $23 million in LIHEAP block grant funds and described typical benefit runs and dealer payment processes. He noted that federal appropriations are awaiting congressional action but that contingency plans are in place to ensure benefits are issued in the near term.

Will Everly, director of Weatherization and Climate Impact Programs at Capstone Community Action, described the on‑the‑ground economic effects of weatherization crews and the program’s limits: crews support local businesses and create jobs, but federal weatherization rules do not cover every needed repair. He gave an example of a home whose occupants discovered interior warmth after crew insulation work and stressed the community value of flexible repair dollars for “pre‑weatherization” work.

Officials asked the committee to consider options to preserve flexible repair funding if ARPA monies expire and to support workforce training and the OEO plan to launch IRA homes implementation in early 2026 if DOE approval proceeds.

This article is based on testimony from OEO, Department for Children and Families (LIHEAP), and Capstone Community Action during the committee hearing.