Weatherization Award Winners In London

On February 5th, the State & Local Energy Report hosted the first ever National Weatherization Awards. One of the perks of winning the National Weatherization Award this year was a trip to London to meet with counterparts in the British government and private sector. The winners were able to see firsthand...
Read More »

Going Big: The Challenges of Large-Scale Solar Installations in the Current Economy

For years, cities and municipal utilities have targeted rooftops for small photovoltaic solar deployments. But recently, there has been a spate of announcements for new large-scale, megawatt-capacity rooftop projects on state and local government buildings.

Read More »

Job Creation Through Weatherization

by Leo Wiegman

“My job will be to help shape the administration’s energy and climate policy, so that climate solutions produce jobs and justice for all Americans.” With these words, Green for All founder and author of the best selling The Green Collar Economy, Van Jones, announced to his network on March 10, 2009, that he was moving to the White House as a new special advisor to the president for green jobs, enterprise, and innovation. The focus for Jones will be promoting green-collar jobs in vulnerable communities as a member of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Read More »

Spending The Money: As Stimulus Funds Flow to Weatherization, Some Say Growing Pains Inevitable

by Rona Cohen

Ask the manager of a state weatherization program how she’s preparing for the massive influx of stimulus money headed her way, and the response will likely be tinged with a mix of delight and trepidation.

The federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has made energy efficiency improvements for more than 6 million low-income U.S. households during its 33-year history, and now the Obama administration has charged it with reaching 1 million more in just three years, in the hopes of creating jobs and cutting energy bills for people likely to put the savings back into the economy fast.

Read More »