California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Tuesday more cash from the federal dole for energy programs — $185 million in two phases for weatherization programs, which are part of the state’s three-year $3.1 billion energy efficiency programs authorized for the major private-sector utilities.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) weatherization funding will go to nonprofit, local government and community action agencies throughout the state.

In late September California regulators authorized an unprecedented energy efficiency effort for 2010 through 2012, using investor-owned utilities’ monies collected in retail power and natural gas rates (see Daily GPI, Sept. 25).

After demonstrating successful implementation of a first phase of the weatherization programs with $68 million in federal funds, California will receive an additional federal award of more than $92 million, for a total of more than $185 million when including earlier federal weatherization funds, according to the governor. Administered by the State Department of Community Services and Development, California’s ARRA-funded low-income weatherization program was one of the first 15 state plans federally approved by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Thirty-six nonprofit organizations and local government jurisdictions are dividing the initial funds. Schwarzenegger said the latest funding will directly benefit an estimated 50,000 low-income households.

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