State Sen. Bruce Tarr joined Energy Bucks and Action Inc. yesterday to showcase the weatherization of a Gloucester home and promote energy efficiency and cost-saving programs available to income-eligible residents.
The event took place at the Linnet Place home of Mary Muise and her tenant, Mary Reynolds.
Energy Bucks educates people about the fuel assistance, discounts on utility rates and energy efficiency programs available to income-eligible residents.
According to Action Inc.:
Currently, 1,633 Gloucester residents are unemployed, and the city's unemployment rate is at 10 percent.
Though the price of oil has gone down, the price of gas heat is up, leaving many Gloucester and Cape Ann residents struggling to pay their bills.
Residents who may not have been eligible for assistance last year could qualify this year, whether they are working or not.
As part of Energy Bucks, Tarr, Action Inc., and other local leaders were on hand to assist weatherization experts as they air-sealed Muise's two-family building, blew insulation into the attic and walls, replaced old windows, and insulated heating pipes.
Muise, who has lived in the house for many years, applied for assistance through the program, and after a free energy audit was done, qualified for the work, worth about $6,900. The weatherization should save her around 30 percent on her energy bills. Energy Bucks is sponsored by Massachusetts utilities including National Grid, NSTAR Electric & Gas, Unitil, Western Massachusetts Electric Co., Bay State Gas, and the Cape Light Compact in collaboration with the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN).
To find out more about participating in Energy Bucks, Cape Ann residents can contact Action Inc.'s Energy Services in Gloucester at 978-283-2131. To find out more about Energy Bucks and apply for assistance outside Cape Ann, contact 1-866-LESS COST, or log on to www.energybucks.com.
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