Regional Spotlight: Massachusetts Homeowners Benefit from Cost, Energy-Saving Renovations

RISMEDIA, May 1, 2007-Rebuilding Together Boston, the local affiliate of the nation's largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization, and the Massachusetts Petroleum Council along with ConocoPhillips' East Boston Terminal today helped a low-income homeowner reduce her energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient rebuild of her home.

The rebuild is part of the Energy Efficient Homes Initiative, a national partnership between Rebuilding Together and America's oil and natural gas industry that incorporates energy efficiency into home renovations for low-income homeowners nationwide, many of whom are elderly, disabled or have young children. The Initiative is an additional component of the 19-year-old national Rebuilding Together program that will revitalize nearly 10,000 homes across the country this year. With the help of the Initiative, Rebuilding Together will give low-income homeowners the ability to reduce their energy consumption by as much as 30%.

"This is a wonderful partnership. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of those most in need," said Martine Taylor, executive director, Rebuilding Together Boston. "Providing low-income homeowners the tools to dramatically improve energy efficiency enables them to save money and use it for other immediate needs such as food and health care."

"America's oil and natural gas industry practices energy efficiency every day within its operations, so we know the significant value of such a commitment," said John Quinn, executive director, Massachusetts Petroleum Council. "We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding Together Boston and ConocoPhillips East Boston Terminal in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts will provide low-income homeowners the dual benefit of saving energy and money."

Last year, the Initiative was highlighted in 18 rebuilds nationwide, saving low-income homeowners thousands of dollars thanks to a variety of energy-saving features incorporated into their homes. Rebuilding Together Boston is renovating 8 homes and 3 nonprofit facilities in Boston on National Rebuilding Day. Rebuilding Together Boston will also provide homeowners and nonprofit facilities with renovations on a year round basis as needed. This year, 66-year-old Ms. Gannon's home will be the first to receive energy-saving renovations. Now retired, Ms. Gannon grew up in this home, returning later in life to care for her brother.

With little money to spend on home-improvements, Gannon was concerned not just about warmth, but about the safety of her home, especially when her grandchildren would come to visit. As part of the Initiative, she will receive new weather-stripping and insulation, light fixtures with compact fluorescent lights, and energy efficient windows and doors. Other renovations include repairing her back porch and painting the exterior of the home.

"I have never asked for this kind of help before," said Gannon. "I've wanted to make renovations for a long time, but the costs were always too much. These improvements will allow me to live more comfortably while saving money."

In addition to making homes more energy-efficient, the Initiative also provides low-income homeowners, volunteers and others with materials and information to help them use energy wisely now and in the future.

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest non-profit organization whose mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners assuring that they live in warmth, safety, and independence. Rebuilding Together operates through nearly 240 affiliates nationwide that serve 1,879 communities across the country. Each year, more than 270,000 volunteers help to refurbish and revitalize nearly 10,000 houses.

For more information, visit http://www.rebuildingtogether.org.