REGION – The Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON) is proud to announce a new partnership with Vermont’s Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This collaboration extends SEON’s full Sustainer Level benefits to all five of the state’s Regional Weatherization Assistance Programs, giving crews and auditors unprecedented access to high-performance building training.

This partnership was sparked at the recent ribbon cutting for the new Vermont Innovation, Efficiency, and Weatherization (VIEW) Training Center in Barre. The state-of-the-art facility, designed to train a new generation of skilled workers, will now serve as a hub for collaborative training initiatives.

Geoff Wilcox, OEO’s weatherization program director, said “The Vermont Low Income Weatherization Program knows the importance of high-quality training and knowledge of building science to ensure that work is done correctly and provide the intended benefits. We are excited to be a member of SEON and be able to access their excellent training and education.”

The Weatherization Assistance Program is a crucial initiative providing no-cost, whole-home energy retrofits to income-eligible Vermonters. This vital service not only helps residents save energy and lower their utility bills, but also improves their health and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

“We look forward to delivering our technical and leadership training throughout the state, whether at the new center in Barre, or at the various agencies,” said Guy Payne, SEON’s executive director. “This collaboration is a testament to the growing sense that enhancing the mastery of skills creates organizations that can learn, adapt, and lead in a sustainable future.”

This new collaboration strengthens the state’s commitment to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for all Vermonters.

To learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program and its services, please visit www.dcf.vermont.gov/oeo/programs/wap.

Published in the Vermont Journal