The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded The United Illuminating Company (UI) a $3 million grant. The grant was awarded on behalf of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and its grant partners the Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P), the City of New Haven, the City of Bridgeport, NauVEL, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, Wagner & Associates, and NeighborWorks New Horizons.
UI submitted the grant application in June to create the Connecticut Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (CTGHHI). This effort provides education to limited-income families on energy, assistance, health and safety matters, will identify and address health and safety hazards and improve housing quality through weatherization measures, housing rehabilitation, lead hazard removal and health and safety hazards.
The goal of CTGHHI is to service 2,285 limited-income households, resulting in an annual energy savings of about $326 per home. Additionally, it will sustain green collar jobs in our area. This includes cross training of partner and program staff while expanding the number of homes weatherized, rehabilitated and made safe and healthy beyond the standard scope of the Energy Efficiency Fund’s Income Eligible weatherization program.
“These grant dollars will complement the existing Energy Efficiency Fund initiatives and extend our reach to customers whom we could not have assisted previously due to lead and other restrictions,” noted Richard W. Steeves, chairman of the Energy Conservation Management Board. “This is a win-win situation for ratepayers and in reaching the goals of the Fund."
The DOE funding will be leveraged with $11 million from the Energy Efficiency Fund, and the proceeds of the sale of renewable energy credits will be reinvested in the program. Through this innovative approach, CTGHHI will integrate and streamline programs that provide housing related services, energy, health and safety programs to limited-income families using UI’s twenty plus years of experience servicing similar customers and a network of over 20 vendors and 150 field technicians. The project has the ability to make a significant impact on Connecticut’s limited-income families.
“This initiative will demonstrate a very unique partnership by bringing a multitude of services to customers in a One Touch approach,” said Pat McDonnell, Senior Director, Conservation and Load Management, UI. “I hope this model can be expanded to improve the quality of life for families and others within our reach.”
“This innovative approach to serving families, conserving resources, and improving housing conditions is applauded by the Department,” added Kevin M. DelGobbo, chairman of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control. “ The implementation of a Healthy Homes program will connect Connecticut residents to a wide range of energy efficiency and healthy homes services across both Companies’ service territories, and is a welcomed effort.”
The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a New Haven-based regional distribution utility established in 1899. UI is engaged in the purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity and related services to more than 325,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across 17 cities and towns including the Greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas.
UI is a wholly owned subsidiary of UIL Holdings Corporation (NYSE: UIL).
