Seattle’s Green Blocks Project Promises to Improve Energy Efficiency and Create Jobs
EOS Alliance, with support from the Seattle Mayor’s office, introduces a new program that educates residents, measurably reduces energy consumption and creates green-collar jobs.
Seattle, WA, July 10, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Seattle’s Green Blocks Pilot Project is poised to emerge as one of the first “green-collar” movements during the dawn of President Barack Obama’s plan to invest in energy efficiency and conservation. From July 6 through August 21, 2009, the Environmental Outreach and Stewardship (EOS) Alliance is helping the city of Seattle “go green” one block at a time by providing energy audits to residences that have been selected to participate in the program.
“This is significant because we’re tackling two major priorities: energy efficiency and the creation of a green-collar workforce,” says Erick McWayne, Executive Director of EOS Alliance. “If this pilot is successful, it will be a blueprint for municipalities nationwide.”
During the pilot phase, EOS Alliance will receive support from the Seattle Youth Employment Program’s (SYEP) summer youth interns. The SYEP is a year-round academic support and job training program that helps participants graduate from high school, move on to college or vocational programs, and develop skills needed for apprenticeships or jobs in high-demand fields. Participating students will assist with Green Block assessments, doing everything from setting up and using diagnostic equipment to writing home-efficiency reports.
“It’s great to see EOS Alliance putting young people to work through our Seattle Youth Employment Program,” says Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels in support of the Green Blocks Project. “I am pleased that these young people are getting practical job skills, learning about the new clean economy and taking the important message of energy conservation to our residents.”
The Green Blocks Project seeks to encourage holistic conservation practices ranging from energy efficiency to waste reduction. It will provide home performance assessments and upgrades free of charge to participating Seattle residents. Residents submitted applications for the program and were selected based on the level of participation on their block.
Energy efficiency measures installed as part of the Green Blocks Project include weather-stripping, door sweeps, gap sealant, low-flow sink aerators, low-flow showerheads, programmable thermostats, CFLs, hot water tank insulation wrap, and insulation. Once all energy efficiency measures have been installed, EOS Alliance will track energy use for at least one year to note the benefits and changes in energy consumption.
“We’re rewriting the script for how this gets done,” says McWayne. “We’re exploring innovative ways to recruit, train and deploy a green-collar workforce that understands how to conduct home efficiency assessments and make appropriate recommendations for conservation upgrades. There is a new demand for this type of workforce, and the economic and environmental benefits could be transformational.”
The Green Blocks Project enhances existing residential energy efficiency programs that include home energy audits, rebates for home lighting, programmable thermostats, insulation, and other incentives. Home Energy Audits are free to participating Seattle residents. To learn more about the Seattle Green Blocks Pilot Project, please visit: http://www.eosalliance.org/green_blocks_pilot/home.html.
Media Contact: Erick McWayne (206) 419-9099 emcwayne@eosalliance.org
Project Manager Contact: Shannon Luoma (206) 762-2553 sluoma@eosalliance.org
About EOS Alliance: EOS Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the Washington Secretary of State. EOS Alliance is one of the largest nonprofit providers of environmental education, restoration, and conservation services in the Pacific Northwest, serving approximately 7,000 people nationwide. For more information about EOS Alliance, visit our Web site at http://www.eosalliance.org.
###
“This is significant because we’re tackling two major priorities: energy efficiency and the creation of a green-collar workforce,” says Erick McWayne, Executive Director of EOS Alliance. “If this pilot is successful, it will be a blueprint for municipalities nationwide.”
During the pilot phase, EOS Alliance will receive support from the Seattle Youth Employment Program’s (SYEP) summer youth interns. The SYEP is a year-round academic support and job training program that helps participants graduate from high school, move on to college or vocational programs, and develop skills needed for apprenticeships or jobs in high-demand fields. Participating students will assist with Green Block assessments, doing everything from setting up and using diagnostic equipment to writing home-efficiency reports.
“It’s great to see EOS Alliance putting young people to work through our Seattle Youth Employment Program,” says Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels in support of the Green Blocks Project. “I am pleased that these young people are getting practical job skills, learning about the new clean economy and taking the important message of energy conservation to our residents.”
The Green Blocks Project seeks to encourage holistic conservation practices ranging from energy efficiency to waste reduction. It will provide home performance assessments and upgrades free of charge to participating Seattle residents. Residents submitted applications for the program and were selected based on the level of participation on their block.
Energy efficiency measures installed as part of the Green Blocks Project include weather-stripping, door sweeps, gap sealant, low-flow sink aerators, low-flow showerheads, programmable thermostats, CFLs, hot water tank insulation wrap, and insulation. Once all energy efficiency measures have been installed, EOS Alliance will track energy use for at least one year to note the benefits and changes in energy consumption.
“We’re rewriting the script for how this gets done,” says McWayne. “We’re exploring innovative ways to recruit, train and deploy a green-collar workforce that understands how to conduct home efficiency assessments and make appropriate recommendations for conservation upgrades. There is a new demand for this type of workforce, and the economic and environmental benefits could be transformational.”
The Green Blocks Project enhances existing residential energy efficiency programs that include home energy audits, rebates for home lighting, programmable thermostats, insulation, and other incentives. Home Energy Audits are free to participating Seattle residents. To learn more about the Seattle Green Blocks Pilot Project, please visit: http://www.eosalliance.org/green_blocks_pilot/home.html.
Media Contact: Erick McWayne (206) 419-9099 emcwayne@eosalliance.org
Project Manager Contact: Shannon Luoma (206) 762-2553 sluoma@eosalliance.org
About EOS Alliance: EOS Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the Washington Secretary of State. EOS Alliance is one of the largest nonprofit providers of environmental education, restoration, and conservation services in the Pacific Northwest, serving approximately 7,000 people nationwide. For more information about EOS Alliance, visit our Web site at http://www.eosalliance.org.
###
Contact
EOS Alliance
Jon Sumple
954-294-7357
www.eosalliance.org
Jon Sumple
954-294-7357
www.eosalliance.org
Contact
Categories