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Monday, 28 April, 2008 11:29 PM
Local Oakland County
Home Receives Energy-Efficient Modifications
Rebuilding
Together Oakland County and the Associated Petroleum Industries
of Michigan continue commitment to increase energy efficiency in
homes nationwide, help enrich homeowners' lives
Logo
courtesy of http://www.rebuildingtogether.org
SOUTHFIELD, Mich.
-- Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Oakland County, the local
affiliate of the nation's largest nonprofit organization working
to preserve affordable homeownership, and the Associated Petroleum
Industries of Michigan, a division of the American Petroleum Institute,
gathered today to help improve a local homeowner's quality of life,
as well as reduce her energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient
rebuild of her home.
The rebuild is part of
the Energy Efficient Homes Initiative, a national partnership between
Rebuilding Together and America's oil and natural gas industry,
which incorporates energy efficiency into home renovations for low-income
homeowners nationwide, many of whom are elderly, disabled or have
young children. The energy-efficient modifications, which include
insulation in the attic, new storm doors and kitchen appliances,
along with exterior and interior renovations will help reduce the
homeowner's heating and cooling bills, and ultimately help preserve
her homeownership.
"Our combined efforts
have an ongoing, positive impact on homeowners in our neighborhood
and across the country," said Dan Harmon, president of Rebuilding
Together Oakland County. The Associated Petroleum Industries of
Michigan's support enables us to help improve the quality of life
for many deserving homeowners who can now live more comfortably,
safely and use less energy."
"America's oil and
natural gas industry practices energy efficiency every day within
its operations, so we know the significant value of such a commitment,"
said John Griffin, executive director of the Associated Petroleum
Industries of Michigan. "We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding
Together Oakland County in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts
will help provide the homeowner with the dual benefit of saving
energy and money."
This year, Rebuilding
Together Oakland County is renovating 34 homes on National Rebuild
Day, with 89-year-old Evelyn Allen's home being the first to receive
energy-saving renovations. Ms. Allen, who is deaf, serves as legal
guardian for three of her great-grandchildren. She receives no financial
support from her children and relies solely on her pension and social
security. Allen, who is a retired autoworker, moved from Detroit
to Southfield 19 years ago in order to provide her family with a
better school system and community.
"There are no words,"
said Allen. "I've really been blessed."
"These improvements
will allow me to live more comfortably, while saving money,"
she added.
Since 2005, the Initiative
has expanded its reach, doubling the number of rebuilds conducted
nationwide and affording homeowners the ability to save as much
as 30 percent on monthly energy bills, thanks to a variety of energy-efficient
techniques incorporated into their homes. The Initiative is an additional
component of Rebuilding Together, which is celebrating 20 years
having revitalized more than 100,000 homes and nonprofit facilities
with the help of millions of volunteers in communities across America.
In addition to making
homes more energy efficient, the Initiative also provides homeowners,
volunteers and others with materials and information with recommendations
on how to preserve energy now and in the future.
Rebuilding Together is
the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve
affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing
free home repair and modification services to those in need. With
the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people,
the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding
Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns
make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners.
In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together rehabilitates
community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs
that focus on aging in place, energy efficiency, veteran's housing,
and disaster recovery and reconstruction. Rebuilding Together is
currently celebrating 20 years as a national organization and the
completion of over 100,000 homes thanks to the efforts of more than
200 affiliates nationwide. For more information, visit www.rebuildingtogether.org.
API, the American Petroleum
Institute, is the primary trade association for the oil and natural
gas industry in the United States. Representing one of the most
technologically advanced industries in the world, API's membership
includes nearly 400 companies engaged in all aspects of the oil
and natural gas industry, including the exploration, production,
refining, transportation and marketing of crude oil, natural gas
and related consumer products. For more information on API, please
visit its website: www.api.org.
Source: American Petroleum Institute
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