With the struggling economy, we are all looking for ways to reduce our expenses.  On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA), better known as the Economic Stimulus bill, was signed into law providing individuals with funds to weatherize homes and make energy efficiency improvements.  Your Cooperative is joining electric cooperatives across the nation in finding ways to connect you, our members, with energy efficiency help from the federal stimulus bill.

Weatherizing your home and increasing energy efficiency has never been more critical. Congress is considering climate change legislation that will undoubtedly raise electricity bills.  Increasing energy efficiency at home can help decrease your energy use and, most importantly, your electric bills.

The Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety.  In the past, only households that earned up to 150 percent of the national poverty level income were eligible to participate.  The ARRA has extended eligibility to those with incomes below 200 percent of the national poverty which equates to an annual income of $44,100 for a family of four.

Your Cooperative has partnered with your local Community Action Agencies (CAA's) to provide you with information regarding the Weatherization Assistance Program and where to apply.  Eligible participants may receive up to $6,500 in funding for weatherization and energy efficiency improvements.  If you are eligible for the program, a professionally trained staff member of the Community Action Agency will assess your home and conduct an energy audit that will determine the work to be done such as insulating walls and roofs, sealing air leaks and installing more efficient heating and cooling systems. The work to be done will then be placed on a schedule for a contractor to complete.  When the weatherization work is complete, the staff member will return to inspect the improvements.  Below is a list of CAAs in the Cooperative's service territory.  Please contact your local CAA to see if you are eligible.

Members not eligible for the assistance program can receive a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost (credit not to exceed $1,500) for qualified energy efficiency projects completed on existing homes in 2009 and 2010.  From replacing windows, doors and insulation to installing an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, there are many ways you can use the tax credit to offset some of the costs for efficiency upgrades.

A renewable energy tax credit also exists for members investing in solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and other green technologies.  The credit covers 30 percent of the cost for approved projects completed on any type of home between 2009 and 2016. ENERGY STAR's website, www.energystar.gov  (keyword: "Tax credits") provides a great overview of what qualifies for tax credits and includes guidance on how to apply for them.

As you know your Cooperative is a non-profit organization that is driven, not by profits, but by our members' bottom line.  Your Cooperative is working to keep your electric bills as low as possible while providing quality, reliable service.  The federal stimulus bill provides a new set of tools to help fulfill this mission.  Please consider taking advantage of these energy savings programs and together, we can keep help keep electric bills affordable.

See you next month and as always, "We'll keep the lights on for you."

AGENCY NAME	COUNTIES SERVED	CITY LOCATED	PHONE
Wabash Area Development (WADI)	Saline Gallatin White Hamilton	Harrisburg Shawneetown Enfield McLeansboro	618-252-2680 618-269-6486 618-963-2387 618-643-2161
Shawnee Development Council	Hardin Pope Johnson Massac	Elizabethtown Golconda Vienna Karnak	618-287-7071 618-683-2107 618-658-6131 618-634-2201
Crosswalk Community Action	Williamson Franklin Jefferson	West Frankfort	618-937-3581