Cape & Islands News

Weatherization project awarded $20K grant

Initiative seeks to help energy efficiency in local homes
Money will provide 'triage,' other services

The Cape Cod Foundation's Brown Family Fund has granted $20,000 to a community-based weatherization initiative that seeks to increase energy efficiency in homes of local residents with particular need.

The initiative, by the Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative (CIRenew), will hold training workshops and bring organizations, volunteers, and consumers together to prepare for cold weather.

CIRenew President Chris Powicki said the project will provide a long-range effect in education and energy savings.

"While fuel assistance is critical, and more public and private support for it is needed, efficiency is a better investment," Powicki said.

The initiative will train volunteer work crews to conduct safety inspections and basic weatherization tasks and provide them with supplies needed to deliver "triage" services to residents requiring immediate assistance. Workshops are also planned to help consumers increase energy efficiency in their own homes and take advantage of free energy audits and other local programs.

A spokesperson for the Brown Family Foundation noted that while the price of home heating oil has dropped in the last several weeks, the grant will have a more permanent effect. "We hope that providing a long-term benefit through energy conservation for homeowners will be one step toward the national goal of reducing our dependence upon fossil fuels," the spokesperson said.

CIRenew is seeking volunteers for the project, including crew leaders with carpentry skills plus others interested in helping people save energy and money. Sponsoring organizations are also needed to connect work crews with people in need.

A hands-on training for crew leaders is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Waquoit Bay Reserve in Waquoit. For more information on the workshops and the weatherization project, e-mail  Powicki at chrisp@weeinfo.com.

The Cape Cod Foundation was established as a nonprofit charitable organization in 1989 to serve the people of Cape Cod by linking community resources with community needs.