Albany - More than $3 million in energy conservation grants will go to community organizations for weatherization projects that will reduce heating costs for more than 1,400 families across New York.

The funds will be used to implement energy conservation measures in the homes of income-eligible persons, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities and children; and lower energy costs in publicly-assisted housing and to promote additional coordination with state and federally-funded housing rehabilitation programs. These weatherization awards will be funded through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to meet energy conservation needs.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs. New York's benefit program is structured in such a way that higher benefits are provided to those households that have larger percentages of their income spent on energy costs, contain a vulnerable individual, and have the lowest income.