The next in a series of Weatherization Skillshops will be offered on
Saturday, September 11, from 9:00 am  to 4:00 pm at the Windham Regional
Career Center in Brattleboro. The Weatherization Skillshop is a statewide
educational program created by the Central Vermont Community Action Council
to expand energy efficiency training opportunities for Vermont homeowners.
The Skillshops are designed to help Vermonters improve energy efficiency in
their homes through hands-on skills training for simple home weatherization
projects.

"We need to bridge the gap between low-income weatherization and
full-service energy renovation contracting,” said Paul Zabriskie, CVCAC's
Weatherization Program Director. “There are a lot of Vermonters who are
committed to working on their homes themselves, and we want them to be able
to make these improvements safely. The Weatherization Skillshop program
gives folks the knowledge they need to achieve real energy savings – and
they'll save money, too. "

Skillshop participants receive instruction from a certified building
performance contractor. The all-day session is held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm,
and the topics covered include Attics & Air-Sealing, Windows & Doors, and
Foundations & Basements. Cost for the Skillshops is $150, which includes
efficiency tools and materials, safety gear, and a copy of The Homeowner's
Handbook to Energy Efficiency by John Krigger and Chris Dorsi.

At each Skillshop, participants will get the opportunity to sign up for the
DIY Home Energy Efficiency Pilot Program, a new program launched to help
do-it-yourselfers work under the guidance of a certified Home Performance
with ENERGY STAR contractor and gain access to home performance incentives.
CVCAC has partnered with Efficiency Vermont to ensure that the homeowner's
work meets efficiency standards and thus qualifies for incentives. All work
done in the pilot program must be completed by December 1, 2010 to qualify
for access to incentives.

Interested homeowners are invited to visit the Weatherization Skillshop
website, at www.weatherizationskillshop.com, or call  (888) 514-2151.

Previous Skillshops have been held in Barre, St. Johnsbury, Rutland and
Essex, with positive feedback received from participants. Noted one
attendee, Tom Stevens of Waterbury, “This is giving me the skills I need to
tackle my old house myself.” A flyer and schedule of fall Weatherization
Skillshops is attached.

About Central Vermont Community Action
Founded in 1965, Central Vermont Community Action Council helps people
achieve economic sufficiency with dignity through individual and family
development. CVCAC is part of the nationwide network of Community Action
Agencies; a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency and a Community Development
Corporation. The Weatherization Program has been operating since 1978, and
has weatherized over 10,000 homes at no cost to the residents. www.cvcac.org