CONTACT INFORMATION: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ana Camargo, Housing Manager
Community Development Department
(978) 620-3518
acamargo@cityoflawrence.com
Gabe Shapiro, Co-Executive Director, Partnerships
All In Energy
(781) 656-5359
gabe@allinenergy.org
City of Lawrence Continues Efforts To Help Renters and Building Owners Save Money and Energy During COVID-19 Recovery
Lawrence, April 6, 2021 – The City of Lawrence is continuing its Lawrence Saves Energy campaign to help residents in the city save money and energy by increasing the energy efficiency at home. This campaign is in partnership with the nonprofit, All In Energy, and Lawrence’s local electric and natural gas utilities, National Grid and Eversource.
The second year of the partnership builds on a successful first year. Despite the challenges and restrictions created by the COVID 19 pandemic, last year, Lawrence was able to meet most of its proposed goals by conducting 136 online energy assessments, providing 348 residential units with insulation services, conducting 166 heating/cooling system upgrades, and assisting 17 small businesses through its Small Business Turnkey program. This year, the city has the opportunity to receive a grant of up to $25,000 from Eversource and National Grid if it meets its goals.
Lawrence Saves Energy is designed to ensure that residents - renters, homeowners, and residential property owners - as well as small businesses and local nonprofits, are receiving the full benefits of the statewide Mass Save® programs. Programs are funded through an “energy efficiency” charge on your monthly utility bills and are sponsored by your electric and natural gas providers.
The first step for residents and property owners is to sign up for a no-cost home energy assessment, which you can do at LawrenceSaves.org. Renters living in a 1-4 unit building who pay their utility bills and owners of 1-4 unit buildings or single family homes can all participate. Property owners of buildings with more than 5 units can also benefit from the Mass Save Multifamily Program at MassSave.com/multifamily.
All In Energy will be helping English and Spanish-speaking residents - both renters and homeowners - participate in this municipal program.
The no-cost home energy assessment is performed by a Mass Save home performance contractor or by the nonprofit Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. (GLCAC), Lawrence's Community Action Program agency, based on your income or your tenants' income if you own a building.
Assessments may be done completely virtually, over the phone or video chat, or in-person following strict COVID-safe protocols. Based on the assessment, renters and owners may receive items that immediately save energy and money like high efficiency shower heads, power strips and programmable thermostats - all at no cost.
Additionally the sponsors of Mass Save are offering 100% off approved insulation for a limited time for all rental units in 1-4 unit buildings. Single family homeowners and single unit/condo owners can get 75-100% off approved insulation, based on income.
These energy upgrades can make a building more comfortable and reduce maintenance costs. Insulation combined with no-cost air sealing also may reduce insect and rodent infiltration, reduce noise levels in the building and could even allow the owner to install smaller HVAC systems in the future.
In addition to enabling residents to access no-cost home energy assessments, the Lawrence Saves Energy campaign also includes opportunities for small businesses and nonprofits. Through the Mass Save Small Business program, business owners and nonprofit leaders can access a no-cost energy assessment for their buildings and receive an even broader set of energy efficiency upgrades and savings opportunities. Business owners and nonprofit leaders can learn more at MassSave.com/en/saving/business-rebates/energy-saving-solutions-for-small-businesses
“Partnerships make our City stronger and more resilient! I’m pleased to partner with All In Energy on this grant that will continue to help our residents and the entire community save money, particularly at a time when many of our families and small businesses are struggling even two years after the gas explosions, and most recently, as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez.
“By helping our residents, small businesses, and nonprofits access energy saving services and upgrades through this Mass Save Municipal Partnership Program grant collaborative, the City is helping to mitigate the economic impact of high utility bill payments, while contributing to improving the quality of life of our diverse community, and promoting a greener, more energy efficient City,” said Community Development Director Vilma Martinez-Dominguez.
All In Energy is supporting the City with its outreach strategy and materials and collaboration with local organizations who would like to help their constituents access the Mass Save residential and small business programs. All In Energy is also available to answer any questions residents have about the benefits they can receive and to troubleshoot any challenges. You may see the All In Energy staff tabling at events and retail locations, once it is safe again to do so, or you may receive a phone call from All In Energy on behalf of the city, as we work together to spread the word about energy-saving incentives.
“We are thrilled to continue work with the City of Lawrence to help both Spanish and English speaking renters and building owners save energy and money, especially as we all continue to grapple with the financial impacts of COVID-19,” said Gabe Shapiro, Co-Executive Director, Partnerships at All In Energy.
All In Energy’s mission is to accelerate an inclusive clean energy economy. The organization’s outreach focuses on community connections, working with cities and community organizations to reach residents who may be unaware of energy-savings programs or have not had the time to take advantage of them. This approach ensures that each resident gets support to take advantage of energy efficiency opportunities to reduce their utility bills and make their homes more comfortable. The nonprofit organization is also working to expand opportunities in the clean energy workforce by hiring diverse multilingual talent and providing individuals with the skills and experience necessary for clean energy careers. To learn more about All In Energy’s work, visit www.allinenergy.org.