U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG)

Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative

Fayette County, Pennsylvania

Fayette County, Pennsylvania’s use of funding through DOE’s EECBG, known as the “Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative”, represents a comprehensive and collaborative approach to promoting and implementing energy efficiency improvements. The initiative has been designed to focus on implementing energy efficiency improvements in residential units, while simultaneously supporting general marketing of the benefits of implementing energy efficiency measures. In addition, the initiative has components which involve recruitment and training for employment of persons in the energy sector, as well as marketing and implementation of a commercial, industrial, or community facilities component.

Residential. Energy efficiency improvements to residential structures represents the primary focus of Fayette County’s Better Buildings Initiative, with the ultimate goal of implementing a total of 1,067 energy efficiency retrofits with a minimum 15% estimated energy efficiency savings. In order to accomplish this goal, Fayette County has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, which serves as the principal community development and single-family affordable agency in the County. The Redevelopment Authority has also served as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provider for Fayette County since 1975.

The residential component of Fayette County’s Better Buildings Initiative involves a comprehensive approach, providing assistance to low- moderate- and market-rate homeowners. The initiative will also coordinate activities with local utility providers to further incentivize energy efficiency improvements among qualifying homeowners.

Outreach and Job Training. A second critical component to Fayette County’s Better Buildings initiative is outreach to the community, informing them of the general initiative and the benefits of implementing energy efficiency measures. In addition, Fayette County has a need to train workers who can be qualified to perform energy efficiency services.

In order to accomplish this goal, Fayette County has entered into a sub-recipient agreement with the Private Industry Council (PIC). In addition to providing an overall coordinator for the initiative, which will be responsible for marketing and outreach, as well as general reporting; PIC will also coordinate EECBG activities with other existing job training initiatives.

Industrial, Commercial, Community Facilities. An additional component to Fayette County’s Better Buildings Initiative involves outreach and marketing to industrial, commercial, and community facilities, working in partnership with public, private, and non-profit agencies.

Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative Application for Residents

http://www.racfpa.org/documents/RACFBetterBuildingsApplication-Form8-15-2011_001.pdf

Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative Residential Loan Application

http://www.racfpa.org/documents/BBILoanApplication10-20-2011.pdf

Fayette County Better Buildings Initiative Energy Auditors

http://www.racfpa.org/documents/BPIAuditorsRev.10-12-2012_000.pdf

US Department of Energy (DOE) National Better Buildings Initiative

http://energy.gov/better-buildings

Private Industry Council

http://www.privateindustrycouncil.com/