White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair to Tour Energy Efficiency Job Training Center, Retrofit Site in New York City on January 15

NEW YORK – White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley will travel to New York City on January 15, 2010 to tour an energy efficiency job training site and the first multi-family housing unit to receive funding through the Green Retrofit Program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Mason Tenders’ Training Fund provides practical training in many jobs skills through nationally recognized training courses.  During her visit, Sutley will tour the facility where workers are being trained for energy efficiency upgrading and weatherization.  

In the afternoon, Sutley will visit the first Section 8 multi-family housing property to receive funding through the Green Retrofit Program from HUD.  The $3.6 million loan was awarded this week by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan to Jonathan Rose Companies, a New York-based property owner and developer focused on acquiring, preserving and greening existing affordable housing nationally.  The project being funded is the West 135th St. Apartments in Harlem, New York, a 198-unit, 10 building, historic property.   The renovation will enhance quality of life for residents, increase energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and create jobs.