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VERMONT COMMUNITY ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

Webinar onEnergy Efficiency for Low-Income

November 5, 2015

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Grant program for non-profit organizations designed to help their low-income clients and

customers reduce energy costs

Vermont Community Energy Partnership

Description

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• Achieve measurable energy savings for low-income Vermonters

• Identify additional energy efficiency opportunities for referral

• Increase awareness about energy efficiency among low-income Vermonters

Vermont Community Energy Partnership

Program Goals

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Low-income residents might not fully avail themselves of energy efficiency services due to:

• Lack of awareness• Lack of access• Cost • Pride

This program builds on trusted relationships between organizations and their

clients/customers

Vermont Community Energy Partnership

Why Work with Non-Profits?

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Vermont Community Energy Partnership

Grantee ResponsibilitiesGrantees:

• Distribute and directly install energy efficient products for these individuals

• Increase awareness about energy efficiency • Identify energy-saving opportunities• Provide information about available resources

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Vermont Community Energy Partnership

Program StatusCurrently in the 2nd round of grantees

• 4 grantees in first round; 7 in the second

Grantees consist of: •Councils on Aging•Housing land trusts•Community action agencies•Energy cooperative•Time bank

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Vermont Community Energy Partnership

Results

• 225 visits; over 40 MWH of savings

• Based upon limited number of quality assurance calls:

• 93% install rate for all CFLs and the Advanced Power Strips

• 100% of respondents would recommend the program to a friend or neighbor

 

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Reaching Low-Income People

Based upon qualitative research commissioned by Efficiency Vermont

• Need to first earn the trust of low- ‐income Vermonters

•  Messages should come through local sources - especially face-to-face

•  Give reassurance that programs and assistance are reliable and will continue to exist into the future

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Contact Info

Paul Markowitz

Community Energy Program Manager

802 540 7608

pmarkowitz@veic.org