I never thought I’d feel so enthusiastic about weatherization, but the news that Greenfield Community College and Community Action Pioneer Valley will be training technicians to enter the field is truly exciting (“Community Action, GCC plan weatherization technician training program with $925K in grants,” Recorder, Dec.13). Local people need training and jobs, and local families and business owners need to control their energy expenses. Weatherization is key to progress on both fronts.
Leaky buildings are expensive. The program’s focus on keeping heated or cooled air inside where it belongs will help residents manage bills and reduce emissions, regardless of the energy source. Focusing on heat pumps tackles heating and cooling simultaneously.
Getting technicians ready to participate in this growing (and urgently needed) field is really smart. Jobs for workers and services for residents. And maybe best of all, weatherizing buildings helps in the effort to slow climate change, especially in combination with other efforts across the state.
Thanks to the people at Mass Clean Energy Center who created the grant program and the sharp folks at Community Action and GCC who are seizing this opportunity.
Sia Stewart
Conway