[ok-sus] OG&E celebrates 500th weatherized home

[Cain, Nancy]

Or  the ceiling fans could be the light fixtures.  

my new e-mail address is  nancy.cain at deq.ok.gov  

-----Original Message-----
From: lespace at valornet.com [mailto:lespace at valornet.com] 
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 7:15 AM
To: Sustainability Issues in Oklahoma
Cc: Cain, Nancy
Subject: Re: [ok-sus] OG&E celebrates 500th weatherized home

Ceiling fans are almost always a good deal, BUT:  they must be placed between light fixtures so the blades do not cut the light source and cause a strobe effect on the desk tops.

Les
--
Leslie (Les) Pace
CEM   DSM  LC

---- "Cain wrote: 
> Maybe the next step, when there are sufficient funds, would be to install ceiling fans so air conditioners wouldn’t be needed as much.
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> my new e-mail address is  nancy.cain at deq.ok.gov  
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> From: ok-sus-bounces at lists.oksustainability.org [mailto:ok-sus-bounces at lists.oksustainability.org] On Behalf Of Broyles, Gil
> Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 12:54 PM
> To: Sustainability Issues in Oklahoma
> Subject: [ok-sus] OG&E celebrates 500th weatherized home
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> OG&E made this announcement today:
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> OG&E acknowledged Oklahoma City resident Cornell Gallagher as the 500th participant in the company’s Low Income Weatherization Program today at Gallagher’s home. 
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> OG&E began its Weatherization Program last year as part of its “Quick Start” demand side management—or energy efficiency— programs, approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in July 2008. 
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> “Demand Side Management is playing an important role as we achieve the future of energy in Oklahoma,’” said Gary Marchbanks, Manager Demand Side Management for OG&E. “Making homes more energy efficient helps reduce the demand on our system and enables us to reach our goal of delaying construction of an additional natural gas or coal power plant until 2020.”
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> Marchbanks added that OG&E recognizes that meeting its customers’ needs through its programs is a three-part issue: the immediate need to manage their utility budget, the longer term need to improve the home, and the continuous need to educate customers on how to use energy wisely.
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> Under the OG&E Weatherization Program, qualified OG&E customers are eligible to receive up to $2,000 in home weatherization. Both renters and homeowners can participate in OG&E’s weatherization program. To qualify, applicants must have an income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Applicants qualify for the program through the Department of Human Services.
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> This year, the company plans to provide weatherization assistance to more than 1,400 homes within its 30,000 square mile service territory.  
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> “We achieved a milestone with the weatherization of our 500th home,” Marchbanks said. “We hope to keep the momentum going throughout the year and possibly build the program in 2010.”
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> Most weatherization involves caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors and adding insulation in the attic. It may also involve installation of new windows and doors as well as replacing standard light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs).
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> “Most of the homes that qualify for our program are severely energy inefficient, and the residents we serve are most often those most vulnerable to heat and cold stress,” he added. “Once we weatherize the home, however, it’s also important that we educate customers on steps they can take to reduce energy consumption.”
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> OG&E works with local area contractors to perform weatherization services as well as agencies such as the Community Action Agency, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and several Native American tribes.  These contractors perform an energy audit on each home to determine what it needs to be more energy efficient. 
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> “So far, our company has weatherized approximately 380 homes through OG&E’s program,” said Monte Cockings, owner Titan Home Remodel and contractor for OG&E’s 500th home. “This program has allowed me to hire an additional 12 people who otherwise wouldn’t be working. Plus, the people we assist are so thankful to have a more comfortable home.”   
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> Gallagher, a disabled veteran who is retired, has lived in his “rent to own” home for seven years. He is an active volunteer at his church, First Presbyterian, and works in his own community. Recent medical conditions, as well as living on a fixed income, have prevented him from doing necessary weatherization repairs.
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> “My mother taught me a long time ago about the importance of giving back to those in need,” he said. “The assistance provided by OG&E will help me stay more comfortable in this summer’s heat and when it gets cold this winter.”   
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> Gil
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