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News
By Ivan Brandon
National Fuel Funds Network
The 2011 National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference drew more than 600 attendees who participated in three days of forums, panel discussions and workshops aimed at helping them better serve the millions of households struggling to pay home energy bills. The conference, presented by the National Fuel Funds Network and the National Low Income Energy Consortium, is the largest annual gathering of professionals in the fields of energy assistance and energy efficiency.
The featured luncheon speaker at NEUAC 2011 was Ruby Payne, Ph.D., who gave a powerful presentation on the societal and institutional barriers that prevent people from reaching economic stability. Payne explained how important it is for people who work to help those in need to understand these obstacles to progress. She told the luncheon audience that there not only are problems with communication between the workers and the people they serve but also difficulties in understanding different approaches to solving problems and dealing with the rigors of providing for a family. Payne said being aware of these problems and adjusting to them will make the task of providing effective assistance easier.
The conference included nearly 50 workshops dealing with a variety of issues -- among them energy assistance and education; energy policy and advocacy; utility and fuel programs; weatherization and energy efficiency; energy availability and sustainability; and vulnerable populations. In addition, there were plenary sessions on the sources of electric generation and state regulatory commissions.
The presentations of most speakers and workshop participants can be viewed by clicking on the "Speakers & Presenters" menu item at the top of this page. Pictures from the conference are available by clicking on "Photos" above.
At the annual awards luncheon, Patricia Wrice, executive director of Operation Fuel in Connecticut was presented with the NFFN’s highest honor, the Sister Pat Kelley Achievement Award. Wrice was recognized for her personal achievement in furthering the NFFN’s goals of increasing public awareness of low-income energy problems, advancing energy assistance policy and promoting charitable energy assistance. During her time with Operation Fuel, the program has grown from an $800,000 budget to a point where last year it provided $2 million in assistance to 6,000 households.
The NFFN’s Victorine Q. Adams Award, which highlights institutional innovations and achievement among nonprofit NFFN members, was awarded to the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, IL. (CEDA) Energy Action Network Year 1 Pilot Program. The Energy Action Network was begun in partnership with the City of Chicago Department of Environment and The Field Museum two years ago with the goal of expanding heating assistance in neighborhoods and encouraging residents to employ energy efficiency measures.
The NFFN Corporate Excellence Award for 2011 went to Dominion for its EnergyShare program, which has been helping people in need for nearly three decades. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by a company on behalf of its low income customers. Since EnergyShare began, more than $52 million has been raised for assistance and more than 250,000 families and more than 550,000 people have been helped
The 2012 National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference will be held June 11 – 13 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
© 2011, National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference, presented by the National Fuel Funds Network and National Low Income Energy Consortium
