News Release No. 039

DEPARTMENTOF NATURAL RESOURCES TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON STATE WEATHERIZATION PLAN

Public meetings are February 21 in Kansas City, February 23 in St. Louis

Volume 34-039

Contact: Larry Archer

(For immediate release)

573-751-3807

JEFFERSON CITY , MO, FEB 1, 2006-- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center will hold two public hearings on the statewide Low-Income Weatherization Program annual application.

The department will hold the first public hearing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, at the Kansas City Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Avenue. The second public hearing begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, 3701 Grandel Square.

Since the program began in 1978, weatherization funds have helped to weatherize more than 147,000 Missouri homes. The program supports energy-efficient housing, long-term reduction in utility bills and the comfort and safety of those served. The elderly, physically disadvantaged and families with children are program priorities.

The Weatherization Program puts money into counties and local communities to support local jobs for people. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for every $1 million invested. For Missouri, the program supports 450 jobs annually.

The program funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Energy and are administered by the Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center. The Low-Income Weatherization Program annual application is available for review online at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy. Please address written comments on the plan to Ron Wyse, Department of Natural Resources, Energy Center, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. Comments must be postmarked by Feb. 23.

Oral and written comments may be presented at the public hearings. After the hearings, the department will finalize the annual application and submit it to the U.S. Department of Energy.

People with disabilities requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meetings can make arrangements by calling 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3443.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department’s upcoming events, meetings and hearings, visit our online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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