|
WTO — Making Nolan and surrounding counties more energy efficient |
|
Written by Tatiana Rodriguez
|
|
Thursday, 23 July 2009 |
Not many people know about the many ways that West Texas Opportunities can help make homes more energy efficient as well as helping those in need.
WTO has many different ways in which they obtain funding to help those in need, such as funding from TXU, Reliant Energy and Atmos Energy to help with energy bills. There is also their main funding source, Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which is meant to help make families more energy efficient. There are funds for people below the poverty level, 125 percent, and even for those above the poverty level. Many senior citizens qualify for these funds as well.
Some customers, such as those above the poverty level, can qualify for a one-time payment of up to $300 to help towards an electric bill from funding from their electric servcie provider.
Others, such as students or families that are finding it difficult to make ends meet, may be able to qualify for a co-payment plan, in which WTO pays part of their electric bill for a certain amount of time. "This plan is for those that are able to hold down a job, but need a bit of a boost to get themselves out of poverty," said Norma Lara, Center Director for WTO in Nolan County. "The purpose of the program is to teach families to conserve energy. We give clients all the information we can to assist them in conserving energy. Our purpose is to make people aware and help them become more energy efficient. We have seen many clients learn from experiences and from information we give them to make their homes more energy efficient."
Surrounding counties can also benefit from services from WTO. Addie Williams is the outreach case manager for Fisher and Mitchell Counties and can be reached at the local WTO office. Williams says that Fisher and Mitchell Counties have most of the same funding available to those who qualify. "The economy definitely plays a role in the people we have been helping. It has been such a hot summer and there are many people who have been layed off from their jobs due to the rough economy. Those that are at home during the summer, drawing unemployment while job searching, have to use up energy at the home that would not normally be used if they were working," said Williams. "There is more energy being used up, but families need to realize that they still need to conserve as much as possible."
WTO also offers energy-saving kits, an estimated $40 value, that is available for those who qualify. The kit contains items that can help save energy around any household including a calk gun, foam for drafty light switches and wall plug-ins, a shower head and cellophane for window coverings to name a few. "These items are meant to make a home more energy efficient," said Norma Lara. "The person has to be an Atmos Energy customer and has to meet certain guidelines to receive the kit," she added.
Another way that WTO is making homes more energy efficient is by testing refrigerators. Not many people know that a faulty refrigerator uses up energy. WTO is helping those in the community by testing faulty refrigerators, and replacing them if they use up too much energy according to their tests.
WTO also recently received stimulus funding from President Barack Obama to help weatherize homes in surrounding counties. The funding, a total of $3.4 million, will have to be divided between 14 counties. There are certain guidelines to qualify for funding from that stimulus package.
To see if you qualify for any of these programs, stop by WTO at Tara on the Square, at 119 E. Third Street or call 236-9201 to set up an appointment. WTO works strictly by appointment. |
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 26 July 2009 )
|
