MNN - Mother Nature Network

I find it fitting that this morning, as a distinct chill settles on the Sonoran Desert, I am writing about National Weatherization Day 2009. In a city where 115 degrees is the norm, a 36-degree October morning is anything but average. Thankfully my house is ready for the cooler weather, but many Americans are in need of weatherization upgrades. These projects are the focus of billions of Recovery Act funding because they not only help families save money on energy bills, they also reduce America’s carbon footprint and have the potential to put thousands of people to work in good, green jobs.

 

National Weatherization Day was created by the U.S. Department of Energy to help raise awareness about the importance of both commercial and residential weatherization projects. Tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 30, is National Weatherization Day 2009.

 

To help companies and organizations prepare, the Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center has provided several resources on their website. Among their bevy of resources is an official proclamation form that your state’s governor can sign to officially declare the day in your state.

 

While it may be too late to get a proclamation signed this year, you can plan ahead for next year. To get an idea of what an official proclamation looks like, view the proclamation made by Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm (PDF).

 

A variety of events are planned in cities across the country to bring attention to weatherization projects and the positive impact that they have on communities. The Sierra Club and the Blue Green Alliance have published a list of their 2009 National Weatherization Day Events (PDF).

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all of the scheduled activities; check your local newspaper to see if there are National Weatherization Day 2009 events planned in your neighborhood.