How many hard hats does it take to switch on solar power in a distressed Washington, D.C., neighborhood? Try 150. That's how many workers installed solar panels on 10 Habitat for Humanity-built houses in northeast Washington's Ivy City neighborhood on a sunny fall morning as the nonprofit GRID Alternatives marked the grand opening of its D.C. office
How can solar energy job training in low-income communities help strengthen the clean energy economy? During today's OnPoint, Greg Dotson, vice president for energy policy at the Center for American Progress, and Erica Mackie, co-founder and CEO at GRID Alternatives, discuss a new program launched in Washington, D.C., focused on expanding solar installations and job training to low-income communities.
One of the District’s most economically-challenged neighborhoods recently received a visit from the Obama administration’s housing and environmental chiefs, both of whom are hoping Ivy City becomes a model for similar neighborhoods across the country.
GRID Alternatives expands national low-income solar energy program to mid-Atlantic region, raises important policy issues on access to solar power and jobs. Today U.S. government agency and White House officials paid a personal visit to the home of Kiona Mack, a single mother in the economically challenged Ivy City neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C., joining volunteers, job trainees, and community partners to install solar panels on her home.
GRID Alternatives began installing solar for 10 Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. homes, the project is bringing job opportunities as well. GRID Alternatives is teaming up with job trainees and employee volunteers from Wells Fargo.
U.S. EPA chief Gina McCarthy joined Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Council on Environmental Quality acting Chairman Mike Boots, and White House energy and climate adviser Dan Utech in the Ivy City neighborhood of northeast D.C. this morning to view new solar installations by the nonprofit GRID Alternatives on affordable homes developed by Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C.
