**PRESS RELEASE**

September 14, 2009

CONTACT: Brandon Fuller, (850) 321-4415

Twenty Families Receive Over $20,000 in Eco-Friendly Improvements

WASHINGTON: CarbonfreeDC, winner of a $20,000 grant from National Geographic and Sun Chips, announces the start of green home makeovers for 20 deserving families in Shaw and Deanwood.

In July, CarbonfreeDC’s Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover project was one of five selected from over 2,500 submissions in the Green Effect competition hosted by National Geographic. The judging panel that selected CarbonfreeDC to receive the $20,000 grant included Edward Norton, Green For All Founder Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins and Center for Environmental Education Founder Jayni Chase.

“Since winning, it’s been a whirlwind of activity as CarbonfreeDC, our volunteers and community partners have selected the neighborhoods, gained sponsors, chosen families and trained workers,” said Rhys Gerholdt, CaronfreeDC Executive Director. “Now it’s time to get our hands dirty with valuable green renovations that will greatly help these families.”

Over the next month, the 20 chosen homes will undergo energy and eco audits, followed by installation of weather stripping, caulking, and external improvements completed by CarbonfreeDC volunteers. Later, professionals will upgrade plumbing, insulation, electrical devices and more. CarbonfreeDC is excited that the first graduating class of GreenDMV’s Green Job Corps program will be joining us for these renovations.

Before the green renovations are completed, CarbonfreeDC will host several workshops in the Deanwood and Shaw communities to help neighbors learn how to complete their own extreme green home makeovers. The workshops will cover an array of easy home projects that will guarantee energy cost savings over several years for very little investment.

CarbonfreeDC is excited to be joined by several community partners for the Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover.

• District Department of the Environment: Providing support for workshops and government resources.
• Eco Coach and E2CO House: Completing energy and eco-audits to identify necessary upgrades.
• My Green Neighborhood, Amicus Green Building Center, EcoBeco and Greater Goods: Donating supplies and resources to help make the most impact from the $20,000 grant.

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CarbonfreeDC is a local grassroots initiative aimed at reducing Washington, DC’s carbon footprint through individual action. The 800+ member organization hosts workshops, the Carbon Diet program and a Green Team network.

Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover sponsors include: District Department of the Environment, Energy Star, Eco Coach, GreenDMV, My Green Neighborhood, Amicus Green Building Center, E2CO House, EcoBeco, Eco Print and Greater Goods.

Learn more about CarbonfreeDC by visiting our website at http://www.carbonfreeDC.org/

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