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D5. Please describe <br />any ways in which <br />low-income or <br />marginalized <br />communities/households <br />were engaged in the <br />creation of this <br />project proposal. <br />(150 word limit) <br />The Town’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan was built on a deep commitment to <br />community engagement. In its development, intentional efforts were taken <br />to reach out to all races, ethnicities, genders, documentation status, and <br />refugees through pop-up events, task force meetings, community <br />workshops, interviews, live social media events, townwide mailings, a <br />website, and recorded meeting videos. <br />This program will assist in operationalizing the following strategies from the <br />plan: Chapter 4 Strategy 4.2 - Expand Access to W eatherization, Energy <br />Efficiency, and W ater Conservation Measures for All, Especially Lower- <br />Income Residents…in New Construction and Retrofits to Existing Buildings. <br />And Chapter 6 Strategy 1.2: Reduce Community Greenhouse Emissions <br />Attributed to Carrboro Buildings by 80% from 2010 Levels by 2030. One of <br />the ways in which the plan’s climate action and environment strategies <br />were designed to advance race and equity is by increasing access to <br />renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green stormwater infrastructure <br />through financial subsidies. <br />D6. Please describe <br />any potential <br />negative side effects <br />of the project and <br />describe the steps <br />you are taking/will <br />take to eliminate or <br />minimize these <br />impacts to any low- <br />income or <br />marginalized <br />communities/households. <br />(200 word limit) <br />Potential negative effects from energy audits and weatherization include <br />the air tightening of a home to the point where mechanical ventilation would <br />be required. Reducing air leakage in a home with older natural ventilation <br />(atmospheric venting) gas furnaces and water heaters may cause them to <br />back draft carbon monoxide into the home due to a change in pressure <br />between the inside and outside of the home, however, Energy Auditors are <br />trained to test appliances for carbon monoxide leakage and any conditions <br />that may cause back drafting. Additionally, staff plan to include carbon <br />monoxide monitors in the giveaway kits at workshops. <br />D7. Are the impacted <br />residents already <br />aware of the <br />potential positive and <br />negative impacts of <br />your project and the <br />steps you are <br />taking? If not, please <br />describe your plan to <br />engage with them <br />and how you will act <br />based on their input. <br />(200 word limit) <br />Many residents may not have much familiarity with the topic of energy <br />efficiency. Staff will ensure that members of the cohort are trained to help <br />others with basic topics related to a home’s energy use, such as how to <br />read an energy bill. Cohort members will also be trained to speak to <br />residents about a wide range of both positive and negative impacts of <br />energy efficiency and weatherization measures. Cohort members will <br />speak to residents in their neighborhoods in-person about these topics. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: B7F69C66-F314-4506-B393-F26F9CEC96B0