ICAST is excited to announce our upcoming expansion into Maine, where we are launching and implementing multifamily-focused Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) services. In collaboration with MaineHousing, the State’s WAP Administrator, we will provide high-quality, cost-effective weatherization upgrades to benefit low-income households by reducing their energy burdens and improving the health and safety of their homes. We look forward to bringing …
TBL Fund Closes Bridge Loan
TBL Fund’s new Bridge Loan product is designed to help customers take advantage of the various incentives created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). After project completion and validation, many of these dollars are only disbursed to customers. Bridge loans provide essential capital upfront, enabling stakeholders to initiate and advance their green projects and repay …
ICAST Experts Weigh In: Redesigning the Federal Weatherization Assistance Program
By Ryan Kristoff | Vice President, Grant Programs Mr. Kristoff grows the organization by securing the funding and partnerships necessary to build new programs, expand to new geographies, and add services to its one-stop shop. In April, through Tennessee’s new Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program, ICAST completed its first multifamily weatherization project, covering 80 units at the Summercrest Apartments in North Knoxville. The …
Announcements: Program Updates
ICAST Exceeding Goals for Healthy Homes Grant. In 2022, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development awarded ICAST nearly $2 million for a Healthy Homes (HH) Production Grant in New Mexico. We have been diligently working on retrofitting low-income multifamily housing units, with the aim of significantly improving health conditions and energy efficiency for the residents. As part of …
Money on the Move: Accessing Incentives for Your Green Projects
By Ravi Malhotra Originally published in Utah Rental Housing Journal More funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are working their way toward communities. For example, Utah’s Office of Energy Development is currently preparing its applications for the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s funded Home Energy Rebate programs. The Environmental Protection Agency is considering applications under …
Building Decarb Update: Some Highlights at the Federal Level
In June, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building. It was finalized after receiving feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Part 1 of the Definition (Operational Emissions from Energy Use) sets criteria for a building with zero emissions from energy used for building operations. It applies to …
July 2024 Policy Blog
Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Analyst ========== Study Shows States How to Maximize Federal Funding The American Council for an Energy-Efficient, the AnnDyl Policy Group, and the Building Performance Association have released a new paper identifying strategies that policymakers, efficiency program administrators, and other decision-makers can use to support home energy efficiency upgrades by braiding and stacking new federal funds …
Weatherization Assistance Expanding to Multifamily Properties
ICAST and THDA are community partners in saving KUB customers energy and money Knoxville, TN – Under the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s (THDA) Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program, the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST) completed its first multifamily weatherization project in Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB)’s 688-square-mile service territory and the state. Through this new multifamily program, ICAST weatherized …
ICAST Grows Library of Resources for Scaling Clean Energy in Underserved Communities
New Community Solar Resources: ICAST works nationally with disadvantaged communities (DACs) to develop their assets for solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Recently, we published a new web page discussing our work. The page features: Our community-scale solar PV and BESS projects with Tribal and utility clients and A new guidance document containing best practices and recommendations for states …
Update on ICAST’s Heat Pump Training Program
Update on ICAST’s Heat Pump Training Program Audrey Knox | Workforce Training Manager Ms. Knox manages the implementation of ICAST’s workforce training initiatives in collaboration with ICAST’s partners across the country. Stakeholders across the country recognize that heat pumps are the future of HVAC and domestic hot water. Thankfully, we see growing awareness and adoption of these technologies—note, for example, …