[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Innovative Partnership to distribute LED bulbs, energy efficiency education to Boone County families in need

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leah Christian 573-441-5515
lcchrist at gocolumbiamo.com

Lisa Goldschmidt 573-443-8706 ext 1407
lisa-goldschmidt at showmeaction.org

Innovative Partnership to distribute LED bulbs, energy efficiency education to Boone County families in need

COLUMBIA, MO (October 7, 2015) - Columbia Metro Rotary, in partnership with Central Missouri Community Action’s (CMCA) Weatherization Assistance Program and the CoMo Energy Challenge, will distribute energy-efficient LED light bulbs, along with educational materials on no and low-cost ways to save energy in the home, to income qualifying families this fall.

This past year’s Rotary International theme, “Light Up Rotary,” along with Metro Rotary’s commitment to improve the lives of children and families in Columbia, inspired the donation of 200 ENERGY STAR rated LED light bulbs to CMCA’s Weatherization Program.

“We know that utility bills can be a large percentage of some families’ monthly budgets, and therefore a burden,” said Metro Rotary Community Service Co-Chair Leah Christian. “We wanted to donate energy-efficient items that would show an immediate impact on their bills, as well as help families realize the many ways to save money through energy efficiency.”

The first 40 families in Boone County to sign up and qualify for CMCA’s Weatherization Program will receive five LED bulbs each. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing the five most frequently used light bulbs in the home with ENERGY STAR  LED bulbs can result in a savings of up to $75 per year.

“Lighting does not account for a large amount of energy use in a home,” explains Brenna Reed, who works on the CoMo Energy Challenge through the City’s Office of Sustainability. “However, it is a great way to see instant energy-savings and inspire more changes towards becoming energy-efficient at home”.

CMCA’s Weatherization Assistance Program provides free weatherization services to homeowners and renters who are income eligible and live in Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, or Osage counties. Through the program, applicants qualify for home energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, furnace tune-up and repair and water-saving measures.

“The goal of the program is to help those persons least able to afford high energy costs conserve energy, so participants can use the money saved for more pressing family needs,” said Lisa Goldschmidt, CMCA’s Energy and Housing Manager.

To sign up for the Weatherization Program and receive five LED bulbs for your home call 573-443-8706 ext. 1958 or visit showmeaction.org/services/weatherization to complete an application. In order to qualify for the five LED bulbs you must be one of the first 40 households in Boone County to apply.

About Columbia Metro Rotary:The Columbia Metro Rotary Club is an active group of professionals who proudly and consistently support local and global community projects. The Club meets each Wednesday at 12:00 noon at the Columbia Country Club. Visit Metro Rotary’s home page for more info: http://columbiametrorotary.org/

About CMCA Weatherization Program:CMCA's Weatherization Assistance Program assists in achieving a healthy dwelling environment and energy conservation in housing for people with low income. Eligibility is based on total household income and family size, which cannot exceed the 200 percent federal poverty income guidelines. If you own or rent, live in a single family home, multi-family housing complex or a mobile home, you can apply for weatherization assistance.  Visit https://www.showmeaction.org/services/weatherization to apply.

About the CoMo Energy Challenge:

The CoMo Energy Challenge is the city's local campaign for the Georgetown University Energy Prize. The Georgetown University Energy Prize is a nationwide competition among 50 cities to save energy. The prize is $5 million awarded to the city that saves the most energy over a two year period.  The CoMo Energy Challenge is based out of the City of Columbia Office of Sustainability and includes many community partners. To find out more, visit comoenergychallenge.com. Be social and like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @CoMoChallenge.



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