ABSTRACT
The principle area of discussion is the Weatherization Assistance Program, its early history, and its transformation from a floundering federal categorical grant program to the nucleus of state and locally oriented programs funded through federal block grants, oil overcharge funds and state legislation. Returning to an old theme, Dakota Prairie Opportunities, a Community Action Agency, acquired direct federal funding to design, install and teach low-income people to build a solar hot water heater for less than $100. The solutions for low-income people were to be found in two areas: First, decrease of the use of costly heating fuels and second, compensation, through subsidy of their heating costs. US Dept. of Energy Secretary Edwards proposed the elimination of the Weatherization Assistance Program on the grounds that the private sector would fulfill the conservation needs of rich and poor alike.
