Achievement

IGERT trainees from environmental engineering (Ellison Carter, Matt Earnest, Diana Hun, Brent Stephens) and community and regional planning (Elizabeth Walsh) have evaluated indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts of the USDOE's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). They drafted a position paper of recommendations for certification, training, and reporting requirements related to IAQ. Our trainees have been noticed. The USEPA asked trainees Stephens and Walsh to review a 200 slide national training presentation and to recommend changes to include IAQ. Stephens and Walsh were also flown to Maine to assess a pilot training session. Trainee Walsh chairs the Austin Housing Repair Coalition's Weatherization Sub-Committee. This group meets weekly with Austin Energy, a public utility charged with investing $6 million to create a "whole-home" approach to weatherization. Thirteen trainees/affiliates are also developing IAQ information to be disseminated during home weatherization.