Department of Energy Awards Local Nonprofits $400,000
Energy Efficiency Empowerment, Hazelwood Initiative chosen as Phase 1 winner
Pittsburgh, PA — The U.S. Department of Energy has announced Energy Efficiency Empowerment (E3), a fiscally sponsored project of New Sun Rising (NSR), and Hazelwood Initiative as one of 45 Phase 1 winners in the Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) to receive $400,000. Buildings UP awards more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams developing scalable and replicable initiatives for widespread energy efficiency and efficient electrification building upgrades.
The project by E3, and the team assembled for this application, seizes the opportunity to dramatically increase the energy efficiency of vacant homes undergoing renovations for the affordable housing market, and advance community-scale electrification and climate goals within the Justice40 framework. Current partners include: Rising Tide Partners, East Hills Consensus Group, CONNECT, Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization, and Mincin Insulation.
“There is an amazing group of nonprofits in Pittsburgh that are renovating vacant homes to make them available at low-cost to families in need,” said Lucy de Barbaro, founder of E3. “This award will allow us to join these renovation efforts to provide additional energy efficiency improvements at a time when they are the least expensive to complete. Once renovated, these homes will further equity by providing reduced costs to future homeowners and advance the climate goals for our region through reduced carbon emissions.”
As proposed in the winning concept, the project will pair up with nonprofit home rehabilitation developers to provide technical assistance, performance measurement, and verification as well as additional funding to achieve 30% or higher improvements in energy efficiency. Nonprofit rehabilitation developers interested in participating in this initiative are invited to fill out this form.
The project was submitted under NSR and Hazelwood Initiative, with E3 receiving $300,000 under NSR’s fiscal sponsorship and Hazelwood Initiative receiving $100,000. In Phase 2, teams will develop their concepts into executable pilot plans.
About Energy Efficiency Empowerment: Energy Efficiency Empowerment’s (E3) mission is to Make Energy Efficiency Visible. Through our efforts, we hope to raise awareness, educate, and empower homeowners, contractors, and communities to embrace energy efficiency practices, ultimately contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for all.
About Hazelwood Initiative: Hazelwood Initiative, Inc. is a community development corporation serving the Greater Hazelwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Dedicated to building a stronger Hazelwood through inclusive community development, HI is adding to its affordable housing and business district revitalization mission, a commitment to environmental justice and health. E3 will help us integrate green and sustainable energy practices into our affordable housing programs, and help Hazelwood homeowners electrify their hot water heating and improve uninsulated attics.
About New Sun Rising: New Sun Rising supports nonprofits and small businesses to build vibrant communities through culture, sustainability, and opportunity. NSR believes that people and communities hold the knowledge and power to make positive change. We envision a future where regenerative community development practices create the conditions for true social, environmental, and economic justice.
About the Buildings Upgrade Prize: The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) provides more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to support the transformation of existing U.S. buildings into more energy-efficient and clean energy-ready homes, commercial spaces, and communities. Buildings UP is an American-Made Challenge funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Press release from the DOE.
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