2008 - National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference

Workshops – Session 6
6-A Renewable Communities: The Greensburg, Kansas Case Study
Room
Moderator:
Presenter:
Century
Pam Packer, Energy Outreach Colorado
Lynn Billman, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The town of Greensburg, Kansas, is being rebuilt as a “green” community in the wake of a
devastating tornado. Consider what communities of the future will look like by thinking of
community needs from a holistic standpoint including where energy will come from, how
buildings and homes will be impacted and how transportation needs will be met.
6-B Impacts of a Customer Education Program Model
Room
Moderator:
Presenters:
Tower Ct D
Eric Stern, Governor’s Energy Office, State of Colorado
Jacqueline Berger, Ph.D., APPRISE, Inc.
Michael Blasnik, M. Blasnik and Associates
The State of Colorado’s “First Response” program provides low cost energy savings kits (with
light bulbs, showerheads and other items) to low-income households using three delivery
approaches -- direct mail, local agency workshops, and direct installation by youth corps.
This session will examine what was learned during an independent evaluation of the three
program designs, including measured energy impacts.
6-C A Shopping Cart Full of Aid: One Stop Assistance Services
Room
Moderator:
Presenters:
Silver
Roger Rees, Oregon HEAT
Chad Quinn, Dollar Energy Fund
Sean Smiles, Dollar Energy Fund
Learn how a successful organization has developed a model for a program that helps
connect low-income families to various types of assistance. The presentation features a
non-profit agency that operates as a “one-stop shop” for intake, evaluation and referral into
utility assistance programs as well as other private and government-funded social service
programs. Special attention will be paid to information collection, evaluation, referral and
case management services. The presenters will feature the profile of a typical low-income
utility customer and his/her family. You’ll learn what a model for a one-stop shop should
include and view a demonstration of one successful non-profit’s program administration
system.
6-D Let Your Fingers Do the Talking: Writing Effective News Releases (continued)
Room
Moderator:
Presenters:
Denver
Ivan Brandon, National Fuel Funds Network
Ivan Brandon, National Fuel Funds Network
David Fox, National Low Income Energy Consortium
Too often, agencies generate news releases that provide basic information about energy
assistance programs but fail to “sell” the programs both to those who need help and those
whose support for the program could be valuable. In the continuation of this interactive 2
1/2-hour workshop, participants will learn from two former Associated Press writers and
editors about news writing and what goes into an effective release. Then, participants will
actually write leads and full news releases in a classroom environment and critique each
other’s efforts.
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