EPA Recognizes Renovate America’s Innovative Partnerships
Originally published on the ECOreport
The Environmental Protection Agency recognized three local governments for their “Innovative Partnerships” with a PACE provider in its 2016 Climate Leadership Awards.
In the press release, in which the EPA announced awards being given to “One Individual, 13 Organizations, and three Partnerships” across the US, it says:
The Government Authorities for the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Program are being recognized for a Climate Leadership Award—Innovative Partnerships Certificate—for the following accomplishments:
- While more than 370 municipalities play key roles in guiding HERO at the local level, three government partners—Western Riverside Council of Governments, San Bernardino Associated Governments, and County of Los Angeles, CA—are fundamental to the program’s operation, as they developed and brought to market the California HERO Program. The partners took on significant roles to address climate change issues, and the challenges facing property owners at a time when the housing crisis was impacting their communities.
- The main partners formed a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) in 2014 so that other local governments could join the program and have it benefit their communities.
- The partners provide key input that continues to guide and shape the partnership, including development of comprehensive consumer protections, crafting eligible product guidelines, and adjusting program policies in response to market feedback as well as establishing PACE as a key tool for local government in achieving local climate action goals.
- By utilizing the JPA and local government process, HERO has expanded across California, now representing 372 communities and over 85 percent of the housing units in California.
- The projects financed through the HERO Program, as of February 1, 2016, have resulted in the creation of more than 10,000 jobs in California and will realize more than 2.16 million tons in reduced emissions and more than 3 billion gallons in conserved water.
- The California HERO program is now the largest and most successful PACE program in the United States, accounting for approximately 90 percent of all PACE assessments.
The four recipients responded with their own press release, saying:
“ … We are proud to have launched HERO four years ago, and helped it spread to more communities,” said Rick Bishop, Executive Director of the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG).
“ … Los Angeles County has only been part of the HERO Program since June of last year, and we have seen it dramatically accelerate energy and water upgrades to our housing stock,” said Howard Choy, General Manager, Office of Sustainability, Los Angeles County. “HERO stimulates private investment in home energy upgrades that have public benefits for both our environment and our economy. Small businesses are expanding and new local clean energy jobs are being created.”
“ … The HERO Program brings the private sector together with public policy goals in a very innovative way, at no cost to taxpayers,” said Duane Baker, Deputy Executive Director, San Bernardino Associated Governments. “Inherent in this innovative public-private partnership is a very high bar for upholding the public trust. We worked with HERO to enact strong consumer protections so that homeowners are fully supported and protected as they work with independent contractors to make significant investments in their homes.”
“ … Our government partners took an innovative approach towards encouraging homeowners to make improvements that reduce emissions and water consumption, while creating jobs and protecting consumers,” said J.P. McNeill, CEO of Renovate America, the company that administers the HERO Program. “The HERO Program is a replicable and scalable solution with almost unlimited potential to help communities across the country, and we will be expanding it into new states this year.”
To which EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy added, “I am proud to distinguish the HERO Program for its outstanding actions and dedication to reduce harmful carbon pollution that leads to climate change. The HERO Program is leading the way towards a healthy environment, and demonstrates that meeting challenges of a changing climate can be done.”
Photo Credits: at Mauzey Solar Energy installation at Kerny Mesa, San Diego County, CA. J.P. McNeill, CEO of Renovate America, is holding the red booklet – Christina O’Brien photography
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