In Kentucky, the State Energy Office leveraged $128,288 of SEP dollars to increase energy affordability and resilience through energy efficiency. In 2019, the Office successfully completed the Kentucky Home Uplift project with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to develop a scalable, sustainable model for delivering energy efficiency improvements to low-income households. The Office awarded $105,000.
SEP funds to a regional utility provider and community action organization to qualify 25 low-income households to receive energy upgrades and reduce energy costs by 25 percent. TVA provided $100,000 for contractor management and energy upgrades. The Uplift model provided each home with pre-and post-audits, including a blower door test, and installation of various energy upgrades including HVAC, duct sealing, water heather, attic insulation, and air sealing. Approximately $8,500 was spent on each household. The second phase of the Kentucky Home Uplift project will study the non-energy health benefits resulting from weatherization activities on income-qualified homes. Ninety-five percent of the Kentucky Uplift project households are participating in the study.
The state also enhanced resilience through the Building for Resilience and Mitigation program. Under the program, the State awarded $23,288 SEP funds to increase awareness of community resilience, including national, state and local perspectives on emergency planning and hazard mitigation with an emphasis on strategies to build resilient communities. Kentucky also partnered with non-profits across the state with a focus on energy efficient, low income, resilient initiatives.
Contact Information for the Kentucky Energy Office