Bismarck, N.D. (AP) A North Dakota weatherization official has been selected to serve on a national energy policy board.
State Weatherization Assistance Program Manager Bruce Hagen will be part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Health and Safety Committee for one year. He'll help develop new policies for the National Weatherization Program.
The program provides grants to states, territories and Indian tribes to improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families. These governments, in turn, contract with local governments and nonprofit groups to provide weatherization services using the latest technology in home energy upgrades.
North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Alan Anderson says Hagen's expertise will benefit programs across the country.
The federal government estimates that the weatherization program has helped reduce the energy bills of more than 7 million families since 1976.