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From September eNewsletter...

BSA and Glen Oaks Community College Partner to Offer Classes

Glen Oaks Community College applied for and received a state grant to provide Energy Auditor Certification training along with Workplace Readiness and Development courses. The partnership with Building Science Academy will offer the Energy Auditor/Building Analyst training, and Glen Oaks will provide the Workplace Readiness courses. This represents an ideal model for public-private cooperation to provide training in a high growth industry sector. The St. Joseph/Kalamazoo Michigan Works provided the participants and student pre-screening for participation in this special grant utilizing WorkKey performance. Potential employment options for students who complete this training include building contractors, utility companies, and manufacturers in the retrofit market, training firms, implementation contractors, state weatherization programs, and audit firms.

The Building Science Academy continues to develop cooperative agreements with colleges and universities for grant and Michigan Works funding.

Grants Are Available

There are currently $500 million in Department of Labor Federal Grants for non-profits, state governments, government agencies, union organizations, and educational institutions to offer these training programs to help prepare the workforce for energy efficiency and renewable jobs in the construction, energy auditing, and retrofit markets. Building Science Academy can partner with organizations applying for these grants to provide the energy efficiency auditor and other courses. You can find information about individual grants by visiting: http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm

On September 14, 2009 the Department of Energy announced the funding of up to $454 Million for Retrofit Ramp-Ups in Energy Efficiency. "The 'Retrofit Ramp Up' program will support large-scale models that can open new energy efficiency opportunities to whole neighborhoods, towns and eventually entire states." said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. The DOE is seeking a Request for Information (RFI) on these programs, and public comment ends September 28, 2009. For more information visit: http://www.eecbg.energy.gov

Home Performance with Energy Star Details

The Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have developed a national model called Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES). Sponsors such as utilities, states, and local governments implement HPwES and the program is currently active in over 24 states.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort at home, while helping to protect the environment. Although not officially adopted in Michigan, there is discussion within several state agencies about the potential adoption of HPwES program. The HPwES program requires that contractors be accredited and that individuals be certified by the Building Performance Institute to participate in this program.

For more information on this program visit: http://www.energystar.gov

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