Homes in Clark, Madison counties receive energy efficiency improvements
WINCHESTER, KY – April 22, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — First Lady Jane Beshear and local officials today visited homes in Winchester and Richmond that are receiving extensive energy efficiency improvements to help the homeowners save money on utilities and promote a cleaner environment. The homes were stops on a hybrid bus tour sponsored by the Kentucky Clean Energy Corps (KCEC) in recognition of Earth Day.
“Earth Day is a great time to educate Kentuckians on the value of properly insulating and weatherizing their homes,” said Mrs. Beshear. “Conserving energy helps preserve our planet, but also helps families save money by decreasing their utility bills. Kentucky’s Clean Energy Corps provides weatherization for families that may otherwise struggle to pay their bills or cannot afford energy-efficient repairs.”
The mission of KCEC is to harness the resources of government, business, education and nonprofit sectors to make eligible homes 20-30 percent more energy efficient, save low-income families money and help reduce the demand for utility assistance funds currently available to assist such homes.
The Kentucky River Foothills Community Action Partnership, one of many partners in KCEC, helped identify the homes in Madison and Clark counties.
“As we celebrate Earth Day, a time when pressing environmental issues are brought to the forefront, we hope to increase awareness of our weatherization program,” said Vicki Jozefowicz, Kentucky River Foothills executive director. “Foothills’ Weatherization program helps low-income residents save fuel and money, while increasing the comfort of their homes. Weatherization also benefits the environment by expending less energy. ”
The Clean Energy Hybrid Bus Tour, featuring a hybrid Louisville TARC bus, will also make stops in Rowan, Montgomery and Fayette counties today. Since adding hybrid buses to the fleet, TARC has seen substantial maintenance savings with the new buses. The hybrid buses have 22 percent better fuel economy than the majority of TARC buses and 41-57 percent better fuel economy than the older buses in TARC’s fleet. For every mile that passengers travel during rush hour, public transit is five times as fuel efficient as private automobiles.
To qualify for KCEC’s weatherization program, homeowners must be 200 percent below the federal poverty line and on the waiting list for weatherization assistance with their local Community Action Council. Energy efficiency rehabilitation may include: insulation or replacement of inefficient appliances and heat pumps; replacement of leaky doors and windows; repair or upgrade of unsafe electrical equipment; and the repair or replacement of roofing, siding and foundations.
“Another important part of the Clean Energy Corps initiative is job creation,” said Finance and Administration Cabinet Sec. Jonathan Miller, who is overseeing the state’s efforts with the Clean Energy Corps. “KCEC could create thousands of ‘green collar’ jobs over the long term.”
State economists predict that the $100 million investment from stimulus funds will result in the creation of 3,306 new, well-paid, green-collar jobs in the first year alone, as well as a $1.685 billion impact on state personal income over the next decade. The Clean Energy Corps is working with Kentucky Community College and Technical System and Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to establish the Commonwealth as a national center for green collar job training, creation and development.
To learn more about weatherization or to determine if you qualify, call 1-800-244-2275 or email maria.wilkerson (at) commaction (dot) org.
For more information about the Clean Energy Corps, please go to www.kentucky.gov/cleanenergycorps, or contact Antonia Lindauer at (502) 564-4240.
Contact:
Jay Blanton
Jill Midkiff
502-564-2611
