2010.03.22 ENE and LAMPP Announce New Coordination of Energy Efficiency and Lead Abatement Programs Press

ENE and LAMPP Announce New Coordination of Energy Efficiency and Lead Abatement Programs

March 22, 2010
Event Location: Legislative Office Building, Room 1B
Event Time: 1:00 pm
Contacts: Jessie Stratton, ENE Director of Government Relations, 860-246-7121 or 860-983-4046
        Amy McLean Salls, LAMPP Project Coordinator, 860-610-4237

Hartford, CT -- ENE and the Lead Action for Medicaid Primary Prevention (LAMPP) project held a special event at the Capitol in Hartford today to announce new coordination of energy efficiency, lead abatement and healthy homes programs.  With the new measures in place, programs that serve low-income families in Connecticut will coordinate to address multiple home improvements at once – removing lead and other health hazards, increasing energy efficiency, and addressing indoor air quality.

“Creating clean, safe environments and controlling energy costs for families are two critical priorities for Connecticut. This joint effort will improve the state’s ability to achieve these goals simultaneously, optimizing efficiency savings and reaching as many families as possible,” said Dan Sosland, ENE’s Executive Director.

ENE is a longstanding advocate of efficiency investments for Connecticut as a means of reducing dependence on expensive, polluting fossil fuels and bolstering a cleaner, more secure energy economy. “This is just another example of the many benefits of investing in efficiency. In addition to providing direct savings for the customers who participate in programs like this one, efficiency investments create jobs and boost the overall economy,” stated Jessie Stratton, ENE’s Director of Government Relations.

ENE’s recent report, “Energy Efficiency: Engine of Economic Growth,” found that Connecticut’s gross state product is increased $5.70 for every $1.00 spent by efficiency programs, resulting in the equivalent of 41 additional jobs for each million dollars of annual spending.

"Green and healthy homes improve and protect the health of families. Our goal is to give families a 'One Touch' experience that addresses all of these issues.  Working together is the most cost effective approach for these programs," said Ronald Kraatz, LAMPP Project Director.

The Connecticut Children's Medical Center LAMPP project is a HUD financed early intervention and prevention program that provides funding to private property owners in fourteen cities and towns in Connecticut to make homes and apartments lead safe. LAMPP operates in the following communities: Bridgeport, Danbury, East Haven, Enfield, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury and West Haven.

Connecticut Children’s Neighborhood Healthy Homes Project, also funded by HUD, works with two Hartford neighborhoods to remove health and safety hazards from homes.

Under the new coordination, when LAMPP receives a request to treat a home or apartment, the energy conservation program providers will also be contacted to make efficiency improvements at the same time. The residential energy efficiency programs are funded by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, which is overseen by the Energy Conservation Management Board.

Speakers at the event included Matthew Ammon of the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development; Rich Steeves, the vice-chairman of the state’s Energy Conservation Management Board; Ron Araujo, Manager of Conservation and Load Management Programs at Connecticut Light and Power; and program participants.

“All families deserve affordable energy and healthy homes. This exciting initiative will maximize existing program synergies and reach more Connecticut families, while providing a valuable model for more programs like it in the state and beyond,” said Stratton.

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