FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Operation Fuel & Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises Win Grant for Energy Efficiency Outreach in Bridgeport

Funding awarded through the Energize Connecticut℠ Community Partnership Initiative

Bridgeport and Hartford, Conn., March 2024, – The Sponsors of Energize Connecticut℠, Eversource and Avangrid, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, awarded Operation Fuel of Hartford and Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises with a $50,000 Community Partnership Initiative grant. The Community Partnership Initiative grants enable community groups, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities to provide residents and businesses with energy efficiency solutions.

The grant will grow Operation Fuel and Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises’s ongoing collaboration as part of their funded U.S. Department of Energy Communities LEAP program, Bridgeport Regional Energy Partnership (BREP). BREP seeks support in their mission to reduce energy burdens, create local jobs, and offer workforce development opportunities so that residents can participate in the clean energy economy. The Community Partnership Initiative funding will expand this mission to provide educational resources and support to those interested in learning more about the benefits of heat pumps and how they can help reduce energy consumption and save money on energy bills. In addition, the two organizations will encourage participation in the Sponsors’ Home Energy SolutionsSM-Income Eligible program.

“Our goal, in collaboration with Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, is to promote the adoption of heat pumps and help individuals and families take advantage of the energy savings and environmental benefits they offer,” says Britt’ny Bettis-Allen, Community Engagement Project Manager, Operation Fuel. She added, “We are eager to begin this work with our longtime partners to reach a wider audience in the Bridgeport community.”

“Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises is thrilled to collaborate with Operation Fuel to administer this grant to help educate our community about heat pump technology and how it can assist in relieving energy burdens as well as how improving indoor air quality can benefit those who suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases” explained Germán Claudio Jr., Community Energy Advocate, Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises.

This is the second round of funding the program has awarded. In 2022, the Community Partnership Initiative supported efforts in Bethel, Branford, Hamden, Middletown, New London,
Waterbury, West Hartford, and Wilton. “Programs like the Community Partnership Initiative make energy efficiency more affordable and accessible to people in the communities we serve, and help work towards a greener economy in Connecticut,” said Eversource Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Strategy, Penni Conner. “We’re proud of the continuous effort by our community partners to help customers lower their energy bills while spreading awareness about the variety of energy saving solutions that will help their small businesses and local organizations thrive.”

“Energy Efficiency helps customers improve the value of their homes and businesses, increase their comfort, and reduce their carbon footprint,” said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas, and Connecticut Natural Gas. “With this Initiative’s second round of funding, we look forward to reaching businesses and homeowners with new opportunities for energy efficiency projects, and we celebrate the contribution they’re now making to Connecticut’s clean energy goals as we work to achieve a green economy.” To learn more about BREP, heat pumps or how to sign up for Home Energy Solutions, please email energize@operationfuel.org. For more information on the Community Partnership Initiative, please visit EnergizeCT.com.