Recognizing and Acknowledging the Energy Coordinating Agency's Green Jobs Training Center as a "Center of Excellence" in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The mission of the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) is to help people conserve energy and to promote a sustainable and socially equitable energy future for all in the Philadelphia region; and

WHEREAS, In March 2010, the Energy Coordinating Agency opened the John S. and James L. Knight Green Jobs Training Center which focuses on preparing unemployed and incumbent workers to enter the growing clean energy job market. The Center offers industry-driven training that includes classroom instruction, hands-on training, and field experience. The Center features state of the art heating and insulation labs, life-sized mock ups, and a house pressures lab; and

WHEREAS, Since its opening, the Training Center has trained over 1,500 men and women, including over 350 individuals trained to the national Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards; and

WHEREAS, The Energy Coordinating Agency has partnered with Community College of Philadelphia to develop an Associate's Degree in Building Science; and

WHEREAS, ECA has partnered with more than 35 organizations including community based organizations, workforce development and government entities, high schools, colleges, and manufacturers; and

WHEREAS, ECA wrote and implemented curriculum for high school seniors to learn weatherization methods and enter the workforce; and

WHEREAS, ECA is the largest and often sole provider of such key services in Philadelphia as weatherization of low income homes, hosting of educational workshops, replacing heaters for low income residents, and educating students on seasonal energy conservation; and

WHEREAS, The weatherization services provided by ECA save low income residents an average of 20-30% on utility bills, thus ensuring households have greater financial stability and reducing their monthly households expenses; and

WHEREAS, ECA provided guidance to architects and developers to obtain LEED and ENERGY STAR for Homes certifications for as many as 250 single and multi-family homes and in 2012 ECA was recognized for its accomplishments through the Sustainable Business Network with the “Community Leader Award”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and acknowledge the Energy Coordinating Agency's Green Jobs Training Center as a “Center of Excellence” in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Energy Coordinating Agency as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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