A state lawmaker wants to help get loans to homeowners, to make energy efficiency improvements.
Homeowners can get some help with weatherization and renewable energy projects from the state's Focus on Energy program. The money for that program comes from utility ratepayers. State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, says more weatherization work could be done if utilities and cities were allowed to loan energy improvement funds to homeowners, and let people repay the money over time on their property tax bills. Mason says the utilities could get a nice return on their money.
Mason adds that his bill would also create more job training for weatherization companies, but require them to use a percentage of local workers who are unemployed or low-income.
The state AFL-CIO says it supports Mason's bill. But some businesses have traditionally resisted the idea of regulations spelling out types of people they have to hire.
