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S2:E3 - Colorado's Energy Model for Protecting Vulnerable Households in Uncertain Times.
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How do nonprofits work effectively (and dare we say harmoniously) with utilities on behalf of their most vulnerable customers? This episode is a testament to that – even in uncertain times like these.
In this enlightening episode, Just Power Host, Carolyn Parrs sits down with Jennifer Gremmert, the visionary CEO of Energy Outreach Colorado, who reveals why local and statewide approaches to energy assistance are critical for truly addressing the needs of vulnerable communities – especially when federal programs face instability or funding cuts.
As national energy policies shift, Jennifer explains how Energy Outreach Colorado's hyperlocal focus allows them to create tailored solutions that reflect Colorado's unique energy landscape and community needs.
By building deep relationships with utilities and understanding their regulatory constraints, Energy Outreach Colorado has developed a remarkable model for collaboration that ensures no household falls through the cracks – demonstrating why localized energy assistance efforts often succeed where broader national programs struggle.
Key insights
- Discover why statewide energy assistance programs can respond more nimbly to community needs than federal programs, creating resilient safety nets that withstand political and economic uncertainty.
- Learn how Energy Outreach Colorado has positioned itself as a trusted intermediary between vulnerable households and utilities, creating implementation pathways that benefit both sectors.
- Understand the surprising financial impacts of unaddressed energy poverty on local communities, and how targeted interventions prevent these cascading costs.
- See how Energy Outreach Colorado's deep knowledge of Colorado's unique regional challenges enables them to develop precisely targeted programs that federal one-size-fits-all approaches miss.
- Explore how meaningful utility partnerships allow for innovative program design that reaches households traditional assistance might overlook.
- Gain insights from real-world examples where local energy assistance created measurable improvements in community stability while helping utilities meet their regulatory obligations.
This episode offers essential wisdom for energy professionals, advocates, and policymakers seeking to create more resilient local support systems during times of national uncertainty. Jennifer's practical approach shows how focusing on community-specific solutions and strategic utility partnerships creates lasting energy justice even when broader systems shift.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Energy Outreach Colorado
02:54 The Importance of LIHEAP and Its Future
06:08 Funding Sources and Community Impact
09:02 Energy Efficiency Programs and Innovations
12:00 Understanding Energy Burden and Its Effects
15:10 The Local Approach to Energy Solutions
17:49 Building Relationships with Utilities
21:00 Case Study: Community Impact Project
24:00 The Importance of Collaboration
27:05 Best Practices for Nonprofits
29:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook
Links
- Energy Outreach Colorado website
- Energy Outreach Colorado Case Studies
- Meet Carolyn Parrs
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