SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company EWR Collaboration with Community Action Agencies
SEMCO Energy Gas Company collaborates with Community Action Agencies to offer rebates for energy-efficient measures such as natural gas furnace, insulation, and more. The Blue Water Community Action Agency facilitates the programs and ensures eligibility. The program aims to reach income-qualified customers and overcome barriers to participation. For questions, contact Avrie Dunsmore at SEMCO.
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SEMCOENERGYGas Company EWR collaboration with Community Action Agencies
o SEMCOContracts with the Blue Water Community Action Agency (BWCA). oBWCA works with other participating Community Action Agencies (CAA) in SEMCOservice territory to offer rebates. Support Structure o Rebates are offered for the installation of energy efficient measures such as: o Natural Gas Furnace and Boiler, Programmable Thermostat, Air Sealing, Rim Joist Insulation, Attic Hatch and Stairs, and Pipe Wrap is rebated at a flat rate. o Wall, roof, crawl, mobile home floor, and kneewall insulation are rebated per square foot installed. oAll measures align with the MEMD and weatherization standards.
BWCAcollects all applications and screens participants and measures installed for EWR eligibility. BWCAis paid a fee for facilitating each job. Each participating CAA is also paid a support fee. Applications are one page and collect all necessary data for evaluation. Administration SEMCOworks with BWCA to track the budget and savings. The Community Action Agency program is currently 20% of SEMCO s income-qualified budget.
Rebate support is used as a buy-down by the CAAs. This allows for projects that would otherwise be rejected as not cost effective through weatherization program requirements, including those with health and safety costs exceeding the allowable 15%. Ease of use, no requirement for reservations, and the rebate support increased CAA participation by 200% the first year it was implemented. Advantages SEMCO worked with CAAs to determine how the program could be expanded to reach customers in need that would have otherwise been turned away. Emergency Furnace and Boiler Replacement Program began in Q4 of 2017. Barriers overcome: Waitlist too long, home had previously been weatherized, or project would not meet cost requirements of weatherization program. Expanded in 2018 to support the flood disaster relief efforts in Houghton. SEMCO slow-income program as a whole continues to be cost effective.
Questions? Please contact Avrie Dunsmore at SEMCO avrie.dunsmore@semcoenergy.com