Baucus, Tester announce $52 million in Jobs Bill money for Montana

Funds will invest in weatherization, upgrades, energy-efficiency

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Max Baucus and Senator Jon Tester today announced that $52 million in Montana’s share of Jobs Bill money will put people to work weatherizing homes and to retrofit state-owned buildings to make them more energy-efficient.

The U.S. Department of Energy today said Montana will receive more than $26 million in weatherization funding. The $26,543,777 will go to the Montana Human Resources Development Council to help qualified homeowners improve heating, cooling and energy efficiency in their homes.

The State of Montana will receive another $25,855,000 for its State Energy Program. Most of the money will be used to hire workers to make state-owned buildings more energy-efficient. The State Energy Program will use $2 million to fund an energy loan program for renewable energy projects.

“This is great news for all of Montana, and I look forward to seeing these dollars go to work,” said Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. “The Jobs Bill is working for Montana. Investing in jobs through weatherization and energy efficiency is a smart way to get the most bang for our buck.”  

“This investment translates directly into good-paying jobs,” said Tester, a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee. “That’s why I voted for the Jobs Bill. Not only will it put folks back to work, it will also help folks and taxpayers save money by making homes and buildings more energy-efficient.”

President Obama signed the Jobs Bill, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, last month. It will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into Montana to rebuild the economy by creating thousands of jobs.