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Virginia's governor and cabinet officials spend a day in the Fredericksburg area to get a close look at efforts to help the needy and spur the economy Date published: 7/30/2009
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE
Gov. Tim Kaine got some hands-on experience in King George County yesterday about just how much training is required to perform green jobs. Luckily, federal stimulus money is paying for more training of crews working to improve energy efficiency for low-income residents. As Kaine discovered when he tried to install a new water-saving faucet head, weatherization is a complicated business. When the governor screwed on the faucet in a home off of State Route 218 in the Passapatanzy area, water sprayed in all directions. He and his cabinet members stopped by the trailer of Katherine Smith to highlight the weatherization program, which provides energy audits and upgrades to low-income households. "It's a critical thing in terms of the economy and also in terms of the environment," Kaine said. He, his cabinet and senior staff toured the Fredericksburg area "to shine a spotlight on some good things," Kaine said. For most of the day, he focused on the economy, detailing both ways to help the needy and how to boost the work force. The group met with three local nonprofits and area business leaders at five stops. Kaine started at 9 a.m. by visiting Smith and thanking her for showing others the value of weatherization. Kaine also got his hands dirty sealing a floor vent in Smith's kitchen. The Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging has run the weatherization program locally for more than 30 years. But many still don't know about it or what it does. "It's not just handing out light bulbs and caulking," said Lil Weston, RAAA housing inspector. The little-known program is getting a large boost lately. In addition to Kaine's attention, the program received $5 billion nationwide in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Locally, administrators are already spending the $958,000 they're getting. That's the first half. To get the rest, weatherization crews must complete work on 123 houses in Fredericksburg and its four surrounding counties. Typically, those crews finish 50 each year. The boost is good news to the 80 people locally waiting for weatherization work. The program is now coming into its own, Kaine said. "Energy costs are rising, and everyone needs to be more concerned about efficiency and energy savings, especially people in low incomes," he said.
Date published: 7/30/2009
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