Some of the most effective strategies to bring energy efficiency programming to low-income people are those that use local, trusted community-based networks. Whether you are working to improve the visibility of a short-term campaign or a long-term program, this webinar will help by providing proven strategies and techniques to reach the hard-to-reach. An overview of some of the best practices will be accompanied by discussions of programs through Efficiency Vermont and the Dunbarton Energy Committee and the successful mechanisms used to bring their messages to low-income people.

Presenters:

• Elizabeth Chant, VEIC - Elizabeth Chant is a Principal Consultant at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), where she focuses on energy efficiency policy and programming for low-income people and multifamily buildings. Most recently, she has been on the VEIC team tasked with developing and implementing a public purpose energy services company, with multifamily affordable housing as a primary market of interest. In 2011, she directed the design, development, and implementation of low-income multifamily services during the launch of the District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DC SEU).  From 2002 to 2010, Elizabeth was Weatherization Director at Vermont’s largest community action agency, providing weatherization services to single- and multifamily housing throughout northwestern Vermont. Prior to that, she was at VEIC, leading its award-winning multifamily programming from 1997 to 2002. Elizabeth has testified before legislative committees on low-income energy efficiency programming, and she serves on the boards of directors of the Home Performance Coalition, the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition, and the National Housing Trust.
• Paul Markowitz, Efficiency Vermont - Paul Markowitz is the Community Energy Program Manager with Efficiency Vermont where he promotes partnerships with non-profit organizations, businesses, and municipalities to implement community-based energy efficiency programs. Paul has 32 years experience in energy and environmental project management, community planning, leadership training, and facilitation in non-profit institutions, state government, and academia. He has managed local environmental action programs in Central and Eastern Europe, directed state recycling programs, taught university courses on energy and solid waste policy, and promoted least-cost electrical planning. He has an MS in Resource Economics from the University of Vermont.
• Bob Ray, Dunbarton Energy Committee - Bob has a MS Electrical Engineering graduate of Rutgers University with a BSEE from University of Maine. He has extensive project management and system design experience in software systems in telecom companies. He is a founding member of Transitions Dunbarton and a member of the Dunbarton NH Energy Committee. He is a Director of the American Friends of Asian Rural Institute and ARI teachs sustainable agriculture and community leadership & development to rural leaders from Southeast Asia & Africa.