While attending the NASCSP conference last week in Atlanta, Georgia, the overall message was: How do we keep the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) relevant in the future? Also, how do we find more funding to keep our programs alive post-ARRA?
Along with a lot of brainstorming and industry conversation happening around the two questions posed above, NASCSP took one of the sessions to tell attendees about their initiatives for the future of WAP. Along with a concerted effort to band together and create a better public image for weatherization, NASCSP is making a large effort to leverage partnerships and earn more money for weatherization. One such leveraging project will include their Carbon Trading Initiative.
As told by NASCSP’s new Carbon Trading Project Director, Jo-Ann Choate, the Carbon Trading Initiative boils down to this simple fact: Weatherization reduces carbon but states/companies/organizations aren’t currently being monetarily rewarded for doing so. In order to leverage additional funding for WAP and receive those “rewards,” NASCSP is currently developing a national framework to measure carbon emission reductions from weatherization activities and sell carbon offsets in the voluntary carbon markets in compliance with the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). The project also aims to help states improve the quality of their services (by monitoring and measuring all data) and help to expand WAP beyond just the low-income community.
Here’s how it will work.
Prior to the conference, NASCSP had approached all the attendees and 17 states had already agreed to participate in the program.
From where I’m sitting, this plan not only seems simple, but it seems profitable, which is exactly what WAP needs right now.
You can view the PowerPoint presentation given at the conference for the WAP Carbon Trading Project here.
This blog originally appeared on HomeEnergy.org.
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.
Mark Richardson replied to J.C. Martel's discussion Disasters & sustainable energy
Eric Kjelshus replied to Johnny Ritzo's discussion Selecting a Water Heater
Bachi Brunato replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans
Bachi Brunato's discussion was featured
Johnny Ritzo's discussion was featured
Tom Delconte's blog post was featured
Christopher Morin's blog post was featured
Mike Rogers's blog post was featured
Mike Rogers posted a blog post© 2013 Created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
You need to be a member of Home Energy Pros to add comments!
Join Home Energy Pros