State funneling weatherization funds to builders’ group

Indiana is drawing fire for a decision to funnel half of its federal weatherization funds through a startup program that
has no experience in such programs.

The Indiana Builders Association will receive nearly half of the $132 million
the state is receiving through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to weatherize more than 30,000 households, The
Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne reported.

Citizens’ advocates such as Common Cause Indiana have criticized the move,
saying the politically active group has been a contributor to Gov. Mitch Daniels’ gubernatorial campaigns.

The builders’
group says it is capable of administering the grant funds despite its lack of experience.

"Common sense tells
us that this program is so large that it cannot be done conventionally," president Dennis Spidel said in the group’s
September newsletter. "That is why it was opened up to other nonprofit organizations like us."

The association’s
members come from the housing industry and work to educate the public and policymakers about regulations that allow Indiana
residents to own homes.

The weatherization program will provide energy-saving items such as programmable thermostats,
insulation, new furnaces and hot water heaters to residents who qualify.

Mike Hannigan Jr., the Indiana Builders Association’s
program administrator, said the group is collaborating with experienced community action groups and expects to begin work
on more than 500 homes in a few weeks.

Retiree Gerri Mann of Fort Wayne is eager to see how weatherization helps her
gas bills, which had crept up to $200 a month in her mobile home.

Mann’s 30-year-old furnace was replaced and new insulation
was installed through a Community Action of Northeast Indiana program in August.

Mann said she was surprised how extensive
the work was for the amount of money spent.

"I never expected it all," she said.

The stimulus program
gives Indiana 11 times the amount of money normally spent on annual weatherization programs.