The program of Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons was established by Title IV, Part A, 42 U.S.C. 6861et. seq. of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA),as amended, enacted August 14, 1976, (Public Law 94-385).The program was established by Congress in recognition of the fact that low-income dwellings are frequently inadequately insulated; that low-income persons, particularly elderly and handicapped low-income persons, can least afford to make the modifications necessary to provide for adequate insulation; and that weatherization of such dwellings would lower utility expenses for low-income persons as well as conserve needed energy. ECPA therefore directed the Federal Energy Administration (FEA), and its successor, the Department of Energy (DOE), to provide Federal financial assistance to carry out a national weatherization program to assist low income persons, especially the elderly and the handicapped low-income. To implement this program, the Act authorized$55 million for FY 77, $65 million for FY 78, and $80 million for FY 79 to make grants to the States and, in certain instances, to community action agencies, units of general purpose local government and Native American tribal organizations.