·         The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is pleased to announce a continued expansion in the number of affiliate organizations who are delivering home performance contractor training and BPI credentialing services across the country.  The following organizations have recently formalized affiliate agreements with BPI:

• Austin Energy - Austin Energy's portfolio of energy efficiency programs is among the most comprehensive in the nation.  Our programs and offerings serve homeowners and businesses.  Austin Energy's energy efficiency programs and offerings date back to 1982. Combined, they have saved more electricity than the annual output of a 500 megawatt power plant.  A 500 megawatt power plant can power 50,000 homes.  Austin Energy's integrated training provides Home Performance Contractors with the knowledge to provide affordable, comprehensive solutions to customers for energy efficiency and comfort.
• Broome Community College (BCC) - promotes residential energy efficiency and safety through programs appealing to a diverse student body of general contractors, remodelers and weatherization professionals.  A curriculum blending classroom activities with occasion to practice technique in actual residential settings provides students an opportunity to master the basics necessary to earn a variety of BPI professional certifications. BCC is an authorized BPI testing center.
• Bronx Community College - The Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College, CUNY, promotes the use of renewable and efficient energy technologies in urban communities through education, training, workforce development, research and project facilitation.  The Center supports clean energy development and energy conservation as the means to protect the environment, enhance public health and position New York City to capture emerging economic development opportunities in the energy sector.

• California Building Performance Contractors Association - The California Building Performance Contractors Association is the only organization in California delivering integrated training and support to Home Performance contractors and consultants. Their free training program, Green Home Energy Retrofits: Principles, Tools, and Methods, teaches whole-house energy efficiency testing, evaluation, and contracting to retrofit existing homes. Their program was developed to meet the increasing demand among homeowners for whole-house energy efficiency solutions and better quality, energy-focused remodeling. Green Home Energy Retrofits addresses the comfort, safety, health, durability, and energy efficiency of the existing housing stock, a market that is expected to grow for many years to come. The training is designed for remodelers, HVAC contractors, solar contractors, insulation contractors, or anybody with a serious interest in developing a business in whole-house energy efficiency retrofitting or remodeling. Those who complete the class will be eligible to test for Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification.

• GoColumbiaMo - Columbia Water & Light is a municipal utility that was formed by voter approval in 1904. Since that time, the utility has been furnishing Columbians with low cost, reliable electricity, and high quality water. The utility offers many programs to promote energy efficiency, conservation, and raise awareness of environmental impact. Energy efficiency is a priority of the utility in order to save the customers, who own the utility, money and help protect the environment.

• ICF International - ICF International in Akron, Ohio is actively recruiting professionals including HVAC, Insulator, remodelers, and plumbers to train and certify as BPI Building Analyst (BA) for participation in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program in Ohio.  ICF, International partners with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in the energy, climate change, environment, transportation, social programs, health, defense, and emergency management markets.

• ICF International - promotes the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program in Maryland.  ICF partners with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in the energy, climate change, environment, transportation, social programs, health, defense, and emergency management markets.

• ICF International - Houston, TX promotes the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program in Texas.  ICF partners with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in the energy, climate change, environment, transportation, social programs, health, defense, and emergency management markets.

• ICF International - Fairfax, VA promotes the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program in Virginia.  ICF partners with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in the energy, climate change, environment, transportation, social programs, health, defense, and emergency management markets.  

• Metropolitan Energy Center - The Metropolitan Energy Center's mission, when it was founded, was to assist people in the Kansas City region to manage and control their energy use. This nonprofit organization has evolved to become a catalyst for community partnerships focused on energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and economic improvement. A market based program providing energy renovation in the residential sector. The Energy Center coordinates the Kansas City Home Performance with Energy Star program in the metropolitan Kansas City area. It helps train and certify home energy analysts and contractors to provide whole house energy solutions for homeowners. In 2007, the Metropolitan Energy Center will be one of the primary program providers for an expanded effort taking place in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. The new project will add more Home Performance contractors and an Energy Star program for Qualified New Homes.

• Performance Exteriors -  Performance Exteriors is a "For Profit" organization that promotes and provides training to contractors that share that goal. They teach by example as they are a successful pioneer organization utilizing Home Performance as a business model in markets with and without utility or state funded programs.   Performance Exteriors not only provides premium training of building science that benefits the homeowner, but they also provide the contractor with sales, marketing and remediation training necessary to become successful in the Home Performance Arena.

• TRICON - Tri-County Construction Labor-Management Council (TRICON) is a non-profit organization in central Illinois bringing together building trades and contractors to address mutual concerns and implement programs that benefit the construction industry and the local community. Programs focus on workforce development, labor-management cooperation, safety, and energy efficiency, both commercial and residential. Better Built® is a registered trademark of TRICON, used to identify quality construction projects, contractors, and workers who strive to give clients the best construction experience possible and complete projects with the highest industry standards. TRICON coordinates a local Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.