October 16, 2009
Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge Update
The Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge (BNEC), a pilot program to help residents save money on their energy bills, is moving full speed ahead. Working in eight neighborhoods across the city, BNEC has trained over 100 Neighborhood Energy Captains, volunteers who help share the program with their neighbors. With the support of AmeriCorps volunteers, the Captains are developing outreach strategies tailored to their own neighborhoods, in some cases even creating ‘battle plans’ complete with maps and lists of names of people with whom to speak.
Residents who take a pledge to work on reducing their own energy usage will receive a free Energy Savers kit, complete with several items that can help residents save energy, water, and make their homes healthier. In addition, the program provides residents with the information they need to understand their home energy usage, as well as the programs and services that residents need. Some residents may be eligible for the city’s Weatherization Assistance Program, and are encouraged to call 311 to explore this program. Others, in the course of taking a look at their home’s energy usage, may realize they need lead abatement services, and can be referred to the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning or the city’s Health Department. Another critical component of BNEC is a directory of businesses that can help residents do energy work on their homes. This includes energy auditors, weatherization contractors, HVAC services providers, and more.
BNEC has recently launched its website, available at http://www.baltimoreenergychallenge.org. Residents can enroll in the program directly through the website, and can use the website to learn about their energy usage, get information about upcoming events in their neighborhood, plan energy projects, and get information for energy service providers and programs.
If you’d like to join the program or learn more, you can visit BNEC on the web at: http://www.baltimoreenergychallenge.org or contact them at info@baltimoreenergychallenge.org.
