FLORIDA

Ms. Paula Lemmo, Community Program Manager Department of Community Affairs 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Telephone: (850) 922-1844 Fax: (850) 488-2488 Email: paula.lemmo@dca.state.fl.us Mr. Norm Gempel, Manager Department of Community Affairs 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 Telephone: (850) 922-1846 Fax: (850) 488-2488 Email: norm.gempel@dca.state.fl.us

FY2010 DOE Funding: $1,484,081 ARRA Funding: $175,984,474 FY2009 DOE Funding: $9,885,233 FY2008 DOE Funding: $1,948,403 FY2007 DOE Funding: $1,752,523 FY2006 DOE Funding: $2,592,639 FY2005 DOE Funding: $1,965,864 FY2004 DOE Funding: $1,957,419 FY2003 DOE Funding: $1,923,719 FY2002 DOE Funding: $1,981,492 FY2001 DOE Funding: $1,317,877 Number of Local Agencies: 29 Contact Information for Local Agencies Information for Florida Community Development

Florida's NBC 6 did an excellent story on how to use and maintain appliances in an energy efficient manner. A link the the full video can be found here.

In October 2007, news station WESH Orlando provided a piece on the challenges of home maintenace and repair being faced by many older citizens across the nation. Click here to view the full story online.

RELAY, an electric and utility magazine published in Florida presented an article about the energy audit performed on the Governors mansion during the summer of 2007. Click here for the full article on page 28 of this publication.

Click here to learn more about the Florida Solar Energy Center.

Weatherization Day 2007 Activities

October's Energy Month and Weatherization Day were a busy time in the State of Florida, beginning when Governor Crist proclaimed October 30 to be Weatherization Day 2007.

Of the 28 Weatherization agencies in the state, at least 22 had some type of celebration in recognition of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and Weatherization Day including:

» An energy fair at a county government complex;
» An on-site demonstration of diagnostic tools;
» A demonstration of weatherization work preformed in the Program;
» A luncheon to recognize contractors/workers;
» Proclamations signed by various county commissioners and mayors;
» A booth set up outside Lowes which distributed free energy saving items;
» Weatherization display booth at a fair;
» Receptions at agencies;
» Utility sponsored Compact Fluorescent Light give away at a 120 unit low-income housing complex;
» Newspaper articles submitted by agencies; and
» Television coverage.

In addition to these excellent celebrations, Florida's WAP also partnered with Energy Star to participate in its national Change a Light Day campaign.

Weatherization Day 2006 Activities

This year, over two dozen of Florida's weatherization agencies participated in Weatherization Day 2006, making celebrations truly statewide. Events included a multitude of energy fairs, site demonstrations, mass distributions of WAP tee shirts, proclamations from county commissioners, and extensive coverage from the local media.

Representatives from the program also attended presentations for the benefit of local officials and WAP State Manager Norm Gempel was interviewed on local Comcast Channel Four during a program entitled "River Talks". It is since been aired twice.

For more information on these events, please refer to the following list or visit http://www.dca.state.fl.us/NewsPubs.cfm.

Weatherization Day 2005 Activities

This year, Governor Jeb Bush proclaimed October 30 as Weatherization Day, recognizing the benefits of the Weatherization Assistance Program both nationally and locally.

Meanwhile, state staff issued "Energy Conservation Tips of the Day" throughout the month of October and attended an open house celebration coordinated by the Tallahassee Urban League. This event was covered by two local television stations. In Wakulla County, staff participated in a Proclamation by the Board of County Commissioners.

A comprehensive WAP Day presentation was set up in the lobby of the Department of Community Affairs. This included a demonstration of the latest Weatherization equipment as well as a "Weatherization Tips" video and numerous handouts extolling energy conservation.

For more information about Florida's 2005 activities, please visit www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/wap/WeatherizationDay2005.cfm

Weatherization Day 2004 Activities

Despite the turbulent weather, an entire third of Florida's sub-grantees celebrated Weatherization Day 2004. Governor Bush issued a proclamation recognizing the benefits of the Program while county commissioners in Alachua did the same.

Demonstrations and open house events were held by local agencies in several counties. Non Profit Housing, Inc. teamed up with Florida Power & Light to participate in the installation of WAP measures at a client home in each county.

The St. John Housing Partnership, Inc. combined Weatherization Day with their annual "Make a Difference Day" organizing local volunteers, contractors and businesses to work on substandard homes.

These events were covered by various media outlets and included a story in the Orlando Sentinel. Newspaper articles were also published in the Hernando Times, Hernando Today, The Holmes County Times, and The Washington County News. Local radio stations were equally cooperative. Plans are underway to recreate similiar events on a state and local level in 2005.

Weatherization Day 2003 Activities

Governor Bush proclaimed October 30th as Weatherization Day and helped spark very exciting local events throughout the state. The ceremony was part of a statewide celebration in Tallahassee sponsored by the Urban League and attended by state and local leaders.

The Brevard County Commissioners, the Leon County Board of Commissioners, the Miami Dade CAA Board of County Commissioners, and the 10 Boards of Commissioners represented within the Suwannee River Economic Council service area each contributed proclamations.

The Centro-Campesino Farmworker Center, the Miami-Dade CAA, the Mid-Florida Community Services, the Northeast Florida Caa, the Orange County Weatherization Program, the Suwannee River Economic Council, and the Wakulla County Weatherization Program also conducted events and site demonstrations. State and local newspapers and other media outlets covered these events.

Weatherization Day 2001 Activities

The Mid-Florida Community Services WAP, volunteers from Habitat for Humanity of Hernando County, the Tri-County Fire Department, and the Christian Contractors Association gathered to weatherize a home. The Hernando Times covered the story.

The Miami-Dade Community Action Agency hosted a site demonstration. At a press conference at the home, Alex Penelas, Mayor of Miami-Dade County recognized the services offered via the WAP. Various television stations covered the event and subsequent press conference.

The Tallahassee Urban League held an open house in support of Weatherization Day. Proclamations were read to the public by the Mayor's Office and County Commissioner Charles Billings. Tallahassee City officials declared October 30th as Weatherization Day in support of the national effort.

Content updated on 1/8/2010