–By Rae Tamblyn, Research Assistant —

“Weatherization Drives New Technology and the Home Performance Industry,” hosted by NASCSP, brought a full house of movers and shakers to the White House to demonstrate WAP’s technical innovations, leadership in the home performance industry, and role as a go-to partner for utility and other partnership projects. Brad Penney, on behalf of NASCSP, opened the event and thanked the White House for the opportunity to showcase the Weatherization Assistance Program. With two panels packed with esteemed speakers, there was so much robust conversation happening, we wanted to make sure you caught some key moments captured in the recording of this discussion on the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Each panelist told a part of the WAP story to build a picture of WAP as both the technical and operational foundation for the residential energy efficiency projects and businesses throughout the nation, and as an exemplary model of leveraging and hi-impact strategies making a difference in low-income communities.

Steve Cowell, CEO of Conservation Services Group, made this point succinctly and we just had to share: “WAP is a small business program. It works with the community to make a difference. The community-wide efforts to address energy needs house-by-house really started with and continue to be led by WAP.” Cowell also made sure to note that Healthy Homes Initiatives is a key part of the next step for WAP to keep residents and homes safe and to continue to address energy needs nationwide. (Be sure to check out NASCSP’s Weatherization Plus Health website to see more on how we are moving forward with that next step already and get ideas for how you can join in the national efforts.)

All speakers at the event were unanimous in that even with high-impact partnerships between WAP, utility programs, and small local businesses, partnerships alone will not fund the program. Adequate DOE funding is critical to ensure WAP continues to be the foothold and catalyst for such partnerships that can significantly supplement the DOE investment.  Federal funding will guarantee WAP continues to be a model leveraging program and success story. And DOE was there to hear them.

Dr. David Danielson, the Assistant Secretary of Energy, wrapped up the event with strong DOE support, stating that WAP is a testament to private-public partnerships and a model of a high impact program with impressive leveraging. It is an investment that pays for itself and builds communities. Dan Utech, Deputy Assistant to the President, Director of Energy and Climate Change, ended the event with support from the White House itself, stating that “WAP is part of larger governmental push for energy efficiency and it works.”

The moderators/presenters included:

• Dr. Kathleen Hogan – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (Moderator)
• Steve Cowell – President, Conservation Services Group, Westborough, MA
• Mark Jackson – Vice President, Energy Solutions Research and Training, Community Housing Partners, Christiansburg, VA
• Rick Karg – CEO, R.J. Karg Associates, Bethel, ME
• Willie Fobbs – Associate Director of Housing, Department of Housing and Community Development, Richmond, VA (Moderator)
• Larry Dawson – Board Chair, National Energy Assistance Director’s Association, IL
• Jack Laverty – Manager, Demand Side Management, Columbus Gas of Ohio, Columbus, OH
• Sandra Sieg – Program Manager, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle, WA
• George Day – Business Development, Fiber America, Allentown, PA

Closing remarks were provided by:

• Dr. David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
• Dan Utech, Deputy Assistant to the President, Director of Energy and Climate Change, White House Domestic Policy Council

For a run-down of more great quotes, check out some key tweets we’ve pulled from our initial twitter conversation that generated over 700 tweets in the few hours of live-streaming and more in follow-up!

Make sure you read the full supporting remarks from Dr. David Danielson, the Assistant Secretary of Energy and bookmark Part 1 and Part 2 of the video of the event for sharing and re-watching!