There are only three weeks left to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on the Workforce Guidelines for Home Energy Upgrades: the public comment period ends January 7. The guidelines will establish quality specifications for weatherization and home energy retrofits and a foundation for better training and certification programs. Be sure your voice is heard by submitting your comments.
DOE is developing the guidelines in order to foster the growth of a high-quality retrofit industry and a skilled and credentialed workforce. The development of the guidelines involved historic collaboration between the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program practitioners and trainers, home performance contractors, building scientists, organized labor, healthy homes and worker safety experts, and other professionals in the building trades and throughout the retrofit industry.
DOE expects to publish the guidelines in early 2011 after public review is complete. You can read more about the Residential Retrofit Guidelines project on the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site.