Left to right, Liz Robinson, Executive Director, ECA; Katie Hunt, Director,
External Science & Technology, The Dow Chemical Company; Sarah Sachdev,
Director of Legislative Affairs; Councilman James Kenney; Philadelphia Mayor
Michael Nutter;
Mike
O’Malley, Business Manager, United
Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers; Richard Harvey,
Executive Director, The Roofing
Contractors Association/Industry Fund; Peter Molinaro, Vice President,
Federal & State Government Affairs; Colin Gouveia, Commercial Director, NAR
Dow Construction Chemicals; and
Joseph Rokowski, Group Leader, Research & Development Dow
Construction Chemicals.
PHILADELPHIA – Perched atop a “cool” roof at 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced that 1200 Block of Wolf Street has won the RetroFIT PHILLY “Coolest Block” contest. Nutter’s announcement followed the signing of legislation aimed at helping Philadelphia become “The Greenest City in America.” The new law requires installation of energy-efficient reflective roofs or green roofs on all new no- and low-slope roofs throughout the city.
“I would like to congratulate the 1200 Block of Wolf Street and thank all the neighbors who came together to participate in the ‘Coolest Block’ contest,” said Mayor Nutter. “Many of the row homes that give our city its unique character were built long before today’s energy-conscious environment. This contest and the legislation I signed into law today will help Philadelphia become a city of the future and set an example for others throughout the country.”
“We feel this effort can be a blueprint for bringing communities together in the interest of saving energy and improving quality of life,” said Liz Robinson, executive director, The Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia (ECA). “This contest is just one of many ways we hope to educate all Philadelphia residents about how to reduce their heating and cooling bills, make their homes more comfortable and preserve the historic blocks that make our city unique.”
Organized by ECA, the City of Philadelphia and The Dow Chemical Company, the contest allowed residents of Philadelphia row homes to compete to win an energy efficiency upgrade for their entire block, including an energy-saving “cool roof,” air sealing and insulation. The Dow Chemical Company contributed products and technologies, and The Dow Chemical Company Foundation provided financial support.
“Our company is committed to using science and technology to increase the energy efficiency of homes and other structures,” said Jerome Peribere, president and CEO, Dow Advanced Materials, which is headquartered in Philadelphia. “Helping to bring communities together to make a positive change for their city and environment is one of the ways we can fulfill that commitment.”
