Assemblyman John Wisniewski today asked the state comptroller to examine New Jersey's weatherization program, which critics say has made slow progress despite millions of dollars in federal funding
Assemblyman John Wisniewski, shown in this file photo, today asked the state comptroller to examine New Jersey's weatherization program. TRENTON — Assemblyman John Wisniewski today asked the state comptroller to examine New Jersey's weatherization program, which critics say has made slow progress despite millions of dollars in federal funding.
Wisniewski's letter focused on the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, which received $29 million but has only finished work on a fraction of the nearly 3,900 homes it is responsible for. The deadline to finish the work is March 31, and the state will be required to return any unspent money to the federal government.
"I am disturbed to learn about the slow progress given the positive impact this program could have on our economy and job creation during a very difficult economy, and its benefits for our environment," wrote Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), who is also the state Democratic chairman.
He asked Comptroller Matthew Boxer to help identify ways to improve the program.
A spokesman for Boxer, Pete McAleer, said, "We have received the assemblyman's letter, and we will be looking into his request."
Wisniewski's letter comes soon after U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg (both D-N.J.) raised concerns about the state's program and asked U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu for a deadline extension.
The Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency handles one part of the state's $118.8 million weatherization program, which is funded through President Obama's stimulus plan.
The program's financial oversight has already been targeted in three separate reports from the state auditor. However, officials say they've made improvements and boosted production rates after a slow start.
Related coverage:
• U.S. Sens. Lautenberg, Menendez chide state for slow progress in $29M weatherization program