Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1355

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 410.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T23:26:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025 aims to update and extend the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which helps low-income households improve energy efficiency in their homes through weatherization measures like insulation and sealing drafts. It increases funding and cost limits to expand access, while enhancing reporting on program innovations to better prepare eligible participants.

Key Provisions

• Increased Funding for WAP: Authorizes $300 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, $325 million for fiscal year 2029, and $350 million for fiscal year 2030.
• Higher Cost Limit per Home: Raises the average allowable cost for weatherizing a single-family home from $6,500 to $12,000, allowing for more comprehensive upgrades.
• Enhanced Reporting Requirements: Mandates that the Secretary of Energy include in annual reports the effects of "enhancement and innovation readiness efforts" (such as pilot programs or preparatory activities) on how participants qualify for WAP services.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 415(c)(1) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)) by doubling the per-dwelling-unit cost cap, enabling deeper energy-saving investments without prior congressional approval for each project.
• Replaces prior funding authorizations in Section 422 (42 U.S.C. 6872) with new, escalating amounts through fiscal year 2030, extending the program's life beyond previous expirations.
• Updates Section 414D(i) (42 U.S.C. 6864d(i)) of the same Act to add a reporting element focused on readiness innovations, building on existing requirements for program evaluations and achievements.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Energy will need to allocate and manage higher budgets, potentially streamlining operations through expanded readiness efforts to reduce administrative barriers for applicants.
• On Citizens: Low-income families and renters could benefit from more affordable energy bills, improved home comfort, and health protections from better insulation, reaching more households due to increased funding and costs.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. energy efficiency may indirectly support national goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global climate commitments.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Low-Income Households: Primary beneficiaries, gaining access to free or subsidized home energy upgrades.
• State and Local Agencies: Partners in administering WAP, responsible for implementing changes and reporting data.
• Department of Energy: Oversees program execution, funding distribution, and innovation initiatives.
• Energy Efficiency Contractors and Nonprofits: Involved in delivering services, potentially seeing more work opportunities from higher funding.
• Utility Companies: May experience reduced demand on energy grids due to widespread weatherization.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal support for energy conservation without altering core eligibility rules (e.g., targeting households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level), ensuring compliance with existing anti-discrimination and environmental statutes.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it exercises Congress's spending power under Article I to promote general welfare through energy policy.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) signals broad support for domestic energy assistance, potentially influencing future appropriations debates by locking in multi-year funding levels that require congressional action to change.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

Cosponsors (21)

Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 410.
• 2026-02-04: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-480.
• 2026-02-04: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-480.
• 2025-12-03: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 0.
• 2025-12-03: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-11-19: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2025-11-19: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-02-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
• 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (5 pages)
• Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025 — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (6 pages)