Each year States around the country celebrate national Weatherization Day! Weatherization Day is an opportunity to highlight the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) by holding events, issuing proclamations, and getting press coverage. Weatherization Day is also used to demonstrate the impact of WAP by sharing program facts and featuring clients in local communities. Another goal is also to increase awareness of WAP among two key audiences: leaders and decision makers at the federal, state, and local levels as well as potential clients in need of weatherization services.
Weatherization Day was even more visible this year as 2016 marked the 40th anniversary of the WAP. For 40 years, WAP has supplied cost-effective energy savings for American families, provided important health and safety benefits, positively impacted the environment, and supported jobs and new technology. Below you will find a list of events and actions in communities across the country that highlighted the WAP for Weatherization Day and the 40th anniversary.
Arkansas
-Governor Asa Hutchinson issued a proclamation declaring October 31, 2016 as Weatherization Day.
-Mayor Mark Stodola of Little Rock, AR issued a proclamation declaring October 31, 2016 as Weatherization Day.
– Mayor J
oe Smith of North Little Rock, AR issued a proclamation declaring October 31, 2016 as Weatherization Day.
-The Arkansas Energy Office and the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association hosted a 40th Anniversary and Weatherization Day Celebration in Little Rock, AR. Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford and Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola were in attendance.
Colorado
-Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper issued a proclamation declaring October 30th Weatherization Day and pointing out that the Colorado WAP is the first in the nation to incorporate rooftop solar. The Colorado Energy Office also put out a Weatherization Day press release.
-Energy Outreach Colorado (Subgrantee) wrote a blog post commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the WAP.
-Arapahoe County (Subgrantee) put out a press release commemorating Weatherization Day and 40 years of energy savings under WAP.
-Pueblo County Department of Housing and Human Services (Subgrantee) put out a press release highlighting their weatherization services and encouraging residents to fill out an application.
-Housing Resources of Western Colorado (Subgrantee) held a Weatherization 40th Anniversary event at their newly rehabilitated weatherization office in Montrose, CO.
Florida
-The Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department issued a press release and held a Weatherization Day celebration which included a site visit to a home that was undergoing weatherization services.
Georgia
-Governor Nathan Deal proclaimed October 30 as Weatherization Day in Georgia to encourage state residents to make energy-efficient improvements and weatherize their homes to conserve energy.
Illinois
-The Sangamon County board issued a proclamation recognizing the 40th anniversary of WAP and Weatherization Day.
Indiana
-The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority hosted a WAP 40th Anniversary and Weatherization Day celebration at the State House
in Indianapolis. The event celebrated the history of the program and
honored staff who had been in weatherization for 30+ years. NASCSP Energy Services Director Ray Judy spoke at the event.
-Northwest Indiana Community Action also hosted a site visit to highlight its weatherization program. The event was attended by U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Merrillville) and was featured in an article by the Northwest Indiana Times.
Kansas
-Kansas governor Sam Brownback issued a proclamation declaring October as Energy Awareness Month and October 30th as Weatherization Day.
Kentucky
-Kentucky governor Matt Bevin issued a proclamation declaring October 30th as Weatherization Day, stating WAP “not only saves energy through advanced technologies to improve the energy affordability for low-income families, but also saves lives and improves the health and safety of families by identifying carbon monoxide hazards, poor indoor air quality, molds and other health threats”.
Maine
-The Maine State Housing Authority held a Weatherization Day press conference at a newly weatherized home. The press release noted that Maine is considered to be the birthplace of weatherization services for the homes of disabled, elderly, and lower-income individuals and families. While the federal Weatherization Assistance Program began in 1976, early efforts were taken by the then Franklin County Community Action Council (now Western Maine Community Action Agency) in 1974 and Community Concepts, Inc. prior to 1976.
Michigan
-Governor Rick Snyder signed a proclamation declaring October Weatherization Month in Michigan and October 30th as Weatherization Day, noting that “carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by an average of one ton per weatherized household, reducing pollution levels in Michigan by an average of 2,175 tons annually”
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Commerce issued a press release commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Weatherization Assistance program noting that Minnesota’s WAP has served about 30,000 low-income households in the past seven years.
Mississippi
Multi-County Community Service Agency hosted a weatherization demonstration at a home and shared weatherization tips as part of their Weatherization Day celebration. The event was featured by the local ABC News affiliate.
Missouri
-Ozark Action held a weatherization demonstration at a weatherized home. The homeowner was interviewed by the West Plains Daily Quill about comfort levels and energy savings. West Plains Mayor Jack Pahlmann also signed a local Weatherization Day proclamation at the demonstration.
-Economic Security Corporation held a 40th Anniversary Celebration and weatherization demonstration in Joplin, MO. The event was featured in the Joplin Globe.
-The Missouri Community Action Network (MCAN) published a blog post for Weatherization Day titled “Three Reasons Why I’m Proud to Work in Weatherization”
-The Missouri Division of Energy hosted a Weatherization celebration and Weatherization Network Service Awards Banquet. WAP Director Dave Rinebolt of DOE was in attendance and spoke about the impact of the WAP.
-CAPNEMO (Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri), NECAC (North East Community Action Corporation), MOCA (Missouri Ozarks Community Action), and OACAC (Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation) all hosted weatherization demonstrations to celebrate Weatherization Day
Nebraska
– Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts proclaimed October 30th as Weatherization Day in Nebraska and the Nebraska Energy Office sent out a press release highlighting the 40th Anniversary of the WAP.
-Southeast Nebraska Community Action (SENCA) hosted a Weatherization Day celebration.
New York
– Community Action of Green County, Inc. held its “Weatherization Works” event. Live blower door demonstrations were performed, BPI certified staff attended to educate and assist, and information was provided on “How Weatherization Might Work for You.”
-Opportunities for Otsego marked the 40th Anniversary of Weatherization
-The WAP in New York and the New York State Weatherization Directors Association (NYSWDA) were featured in a Weatherization Day story by the Hudson Valley News Network.
North Carolina
-Appalachian Voices posted a blog post celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the WAP and celebrated Energy Efficiency Day.
North Dakota
-The North Dakota Department of Commerce Division of Community Service hosted a Weatherization Day event and partnered with Red River Valley Community Action for a weatherization site visit at a home in Grand Forks, ND. Congressman Kevin Cramer
(R-ND) attended the site visit and spoke at the event as did David Rinebolt (DOE), Ray Judy (NASCSP), and David Bradley (NCAF). Congressman Cramer’s office put out a press release surrounding the event. Staff from Senator John Hoeven’s (R-ND) office were also in attendance.
-North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple also signed a proclamation declaring October 30th as Weatherization Day in North Dakota.
Ohio
-Ashtabula County Community Action in Ashtabula, OH hosted an open house at their headquarters to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Weatherization and spread information to residents about the WAP.
-Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) and the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD) celebrated Weatherize Nelsonville. The effort was devoted to weatherizing an entire town, including commercial and public buildings. The agencies partnered with Columbia Gas of Ohio and American Electric Power.
Pennsylvania
– Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin attended a weatherization site demonstration in honor of the 40th Anniversary of WAP and to celebrate Weatherization Day. The event was also covered in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
-Governor Tom Wolf also proclaimed October 30th as Weatherization Day in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
– Sen. Jack Reed toured homes weatherized by the Community Action Partnership of Providence (CAPP) to see how federal weatherization grants are being put to work and to help celebrate 40th anniversary of the WAP. His office put out a press release covering the event.
Texas
– The Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) held an informational workshop and luncheon to celebrate Weatherization Day.
Utah
-The Utah Department of Workforce Services Department of Housing and Community Development held a site visit at the Intermountain Weatherization Training Center. The event was covered by local news and included videotaped segments focused on insulation, electrical work, and water heaters.
– The Utah Department of Workforce Services Department of Housing and Community Development also created a WAP 40th Anniversary infographic highlighting the impact of the Utah WAP.
Virginia
-Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development held a Weatherization Day Celebration in partnership with the members of Weatherize Roanoke. Weatherize Roanoke is made up of the City of Roanoke, Total Action for Progress (TAP), Allegheny
Regional Commission, Roanoke Gas Co., Appalachian Electric Power-Take Charge Program, Community Housing Partners (CHP) Training Center, and Renovation Alliance. The event included informational booths as well as weatherization demonstrations. Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea issued a proclamation declaring Weatherization Day at the event.
-Governor Terry McAuliffe also issued a proclamation declaring October 30th as Weatherization Day
Washington
-The Washington Department of Commerce put out a press release commemorating the 40th Anniversary of WAP and Weatherization Day. They also highlighted the new $2.1 million pilot program in for Weatherization Plus Health in Washington.
-Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation declaring October as Energy Awareness Month and October 30th as Weatherization Day.
Wisconsin
-Social Development Commission (SDC) in Milwaukee hosted a Weatherization Day event which was attended by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and other city officials.
-La Casa De Esperanza, a subgrantee in Waukesha, WI held a Weatherization Day celebration and resource fair to help families in the community learn about weatherization services.
– Western Dairyland Community Action Agency celebrated the 40th Anniversary of WAP and was featured in the local news.
–Project Home in Madison, Wisconsin held a Weatherization Day site visit that was attended by State Senator Mark Miller, Stoughton Mayor Donna Olson, and a staffer from U.S. Representative Mark Pocan
Wyoming
-The Wyoming WAP coordinated several Weatherization Day demonstrations in several areas including, Cody, Gillette, and Casper.
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Don’t see your State or organization’s event or action listed here? Email details and documents to ebehna@nascsp.org and we will add it here!
