Governor Beshear, Mayor Newberry Promote Energy Efficiency at Group Home
Canaan House receives energy efficiency improvements as part of a program to reduce energy costs
LEXINGTON, KY – April 23, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Steve Beshear recognized Earth Day in Lexington today at a shelter that is receiving extensive energy efficiency improvements as a part of Kentucky’s Clean Energy Corps (KCEC).
Joined by Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry, environmental and business representatives and volunteers, Gov. Beshear toured the Canaan House, a residential facility for homeless persons with severe mental illness. The visit was part of the Clean Energy Hybrid Bus Tour, which made stops in five counties today to tour some of the more than a dozen low to moderate-income homes receiving energy efficiency improvements through KCEC.
“The Canaan House is such a unique facility that provides shelter and care to some of Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Gov. Beshear. “I’m especially pleased that the weatherization work being done on Earth Day as a part of the Clean Energy Corps will help reduce the home’s operating costs with energy efficiency improvements that will also promote a cleaner planet.”
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, saving low-income families money, and thereby reducing the demand for utility assistance funds currently available to assist these families.
The Canaan House, as well as homes in Fayette, Madison, Clark, Rowan and Montgomery counties, was selected for the energy upgrades through the Community Action Council to commemorate Earth Day by promoting easy, everyday steps that capture energy savings and reduce carbon emissions.
Energy efficiency rehabilitation may include: the insulation of ducts, attics, walls and ceilings; the replacement of inefficient appliances and heat pumps; replacement of leaky doors and windows; the repair and upgrade of unsafe electrical equipment; and the repair or replacement of roofing, siding and foundations.
“Everyone can become more energy efficient by making small adjustments,” said Gov. Beshear. “Turning off the lights when you leave a room, using compact fluorescent light bulbs, only doing laundry if you have a full load, these small changes help the environment and save you money.”
State economists predict that this program could create or sustain thousands of “green collar” jobs to service the auditing and energy efficiency improvements of homes over the long term. The Clean Energy Corps is working with partners at the Kentucky Community College and Technical System and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to establish the commonwealth as a national center for green collar job training, creation, and development.
“It’s exciting to see the Clean Energy Corps Hybrid Bus Tour serve as a symbol on Earth Day for the powerful message that efficiency efforts can save energy costs, protect the environment and create thousands of new “green collar” jobs that pay well and can never be outsourced,” said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet. “But I’m even more excited to know that this is just a beginning; that the Clean Energy Corps will reach thousands more Kentucky homes and produce real results for Kentucky’s economy.”
The Clean Energy Hybrid Bus Tour, featuring a hybrid Louisville TARC bus, also make stops in Rowan, Montgomery, Clark and Madison 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 learn more about weatherization or to determine if you qualify, please call 1-800-244-2275 or email maria.wilkerson (at) commaction (dot) org.
For more information, please go to www.kentucky.gov/cleanenergycorps, or contact Antonia Lindauer at (502) 564-4240.
Contact:
Jay Blanton
Jill Midkiff
502-564-2611
