LIFE Webinar Series
To further the dialogue between stakeholders throughout the low-income energy community, the Low-Income Forum on Energy (LIFE) is proud to introduce the LIFE Webinar Series. The Webinar Series will serve as another venue for communicating information on assistance programs and current topics relevant to the low-income energy field to those involved in addressing the energy needs of low-income New Yorkers. The Webinar Series is open to all and will be available at no cost.
Upcoming Webinars:
The next LIFE webinar will take place in June 2012. Details will be published soon.
Previous webinars:
Socioeconomic Impacts of Loss of Utilities
Presenter: Viletta Coombs, Esq. - Consultant
Thursday, April 26, 2012
10:00am-11:00am EST
Attorney Viletta Coombs presents on the socioeconomic impacts of consumer utility loss. This presentation is centered upon the premise that utilities are integral to basic human needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. A majority of utility providers and consumers are oblivious as to what happens when families lose their utilities. This presentation, we will explore: many socioeconomic impacts that ensue when families lose their utilities; several state and federal programs that theoretically address these issues; and how utilities may help with these issues without fiscal consequence.
View the Socioeconomic Impacts of the Loss of Utilities webinar.
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Reducing Utility Costs in Public Housing: Putting HUD’s Energy Use and Cost Reduction Incentives to Work at the Chicago Housing Authority
Presenter: David Anderson, CEM – Consultant
Thursday, March 22, 2012
10:30am-11:30am EST
Certified Energy Manager David Anderson presents about successful energy-related incentives made available to Public Housing Authorities. The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) is the second largest public housing authority (PHA) in the continental U.S. This presentation will outline the energy use and cost reduction incentives offered by HUD and how, using actual examples, the CHA utilized those incentives and benefitted from them. The CHA has helped to shape and develop incentives that were later adopted by HUD (through regulations) and made available to all PHAs.
View the Reducing Utility Cost in Public Housing webinar.
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The Impact of Higher Energy Prices on Older Consumers
Presenters: Neal Walters and Ann McLarty Jackson, AARP Public Policy Institute
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
1pm-2pm EST
Ann Jackson and Neal Walters of AARP's Public Policy Institute present findings from their recent research focusing on the impact of higher energy prices on older consumers. The first study examines the most recent EIA data and finds that projected winter heating costs for consumers aged 65 and older will create a substantial burden for many lower income older consumers. A second study analyzes the latest Consumer Expenditure Survey data on utility expenditures by older consumers and finds that these expenditures vary among consumers by age, income, household size, geographic location, and ethnicity.
View the Impact of Higher Energy Prices on Older Consumers webinar.
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LIHEAP Action Day
Presenters: George Coling, National Fuel Funds Network; Linda Barnes, Entergy; Louis Gonzalez, Florida Power and Light
January 20, 2012
In December, Congress completed legislation to fund the government through September 30, the end of Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation cut the appropriation for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from $5.1 billion in FY 2011 to $3.5 billion for FY 2012. Meanwhile, the Obama Administration is preparing to submit its budget request for FY 2013 in early February. Securing LIHEAP funding at $5.billion for FY will be challenging. To address that challenge, the National Fuel Funds Network (www.nationalfuelfunds.org ) is convening NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day in Washington, DC on February 15, 2012. NFFN will also hold Summer LIHEAP Action Day, tentatively July 31, 2012.
To encourage the widest possible participation in NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day, New York State’s Low-Income Forum on Energy (LIFE) will host a webinar on LIHEAP Action Day. Representatives from NFFN, Entergy, and Florida Power and Light will discuss the purpose and logistics of LIHEAP Action Day, how a regional utility participates in the event and how to make the most out of LIHEAP advocacy.
View the LIHEAP Action Day webinar.
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Pathways out of Poverty
Presenter: Rebecca Sterling, NYSERDA
November 15, 2011
The LIFE program invites you to register for this webinar to learn about how NYSERDA’s Workforce Development programs have adjusted to meet the needs of the changing economy. Rebecca Sterling, Assistant Project Manager with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will provide an overview of the Career Pathways for Disadvantaged Workers and Green Jobs Green New York Worker Readiness programs. Gain a better understanding of how disadvantaged workers have overcome adversity and obtained the skills necessary for successful green careers.
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HEAP Updates for the 2011-2012 Heating Season
Presenter: Greg Abel, NYS OTDA
October 18, 2011
HEAP is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement a household’s annual energy cost. The program also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat or heat‐related emergency. Additionally, HEAP offers a furnace repair and/or replacement benefit for households with inoperable heating equipment. The heating season is scheduled to begin in November, so the 2011-2012 heating season is right around the corner. The LIFE program invites you to join this webinar to find out more about HEAP updates for the upcoming heating season and become part of the low-income energy dialogue.
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There are Holes in Our Walls
Presenter: Marc Zuluaga of Steven Winter Associates and Richard Leigh of Urban Green Council
September 13, 2011
The quality of the building envelope drives the heating and cooling loads of most buildings and advanced envelopes have demonstrated that proper design can lead to dramatic reductions in these loads. Urban Green Council, concerned about the impact of wall penetrations such as window air conditioners on thermal loads in existing buildings, selected Steven Winter Associates (SWA) to perform a study of this issue. This webinar will report the results of that study. By physical testing in a sample of buildings, SWA found that the average AC or PTAC brings with it an opening equivalent to six square inches, which in the winter leaks heat, costing as much as the AC bill for the summer. This and other substantive findings will be presented by SWA's principal investigator, Marc Zuluaga, and Richard Leigh of Urban Green Council who will summarize the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.
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Low Interest Residential Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants for Rural Homeowners
Presenter: Jennifer Jackson, USDA Rural Development
April 27, 2011
USDA Rural Development recognizes the vital role homeownership plays in improving lives, creating jobs and promoting economic opportunities. Rural Development supports rural homeowners with very low incomes by financing home repairs to include energy saving measures and improvements. For seniors 62 and older who cannot afford a loan, grant funds are also available for qualifying repairs. In this webinar, you will learn about USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Program, how families or individuals can qualify and where to apply for assistance. With a network of 10 Rural Development Area Offices throughout New York, stakeholders will also learn how they can partner and establish a referral based relationship with USDA.
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The Rural Renewable Energy Alliance
Presenter: Jason Edens, RREAL
March 2, 2011
The Rural Renewable Energy Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Minnesota dedicated to making solar technology accessible to families and communities of all income levels. RREAL has been a pioneer in the development and delivery of solar assistance and solar heat for low-income families. It is their hope that solar thermal will be incorporated into weatherization programming across the country. Solar Air Heat is a technology that is closely aligned with the goals of public low-income energy assistance programs. Sign up to this webinar to learn about successful state and regional efforts to integrate solar air heat into weatherization and energy assistance programming in the Midwest and the possible implications this new technology may have on the low-income weatherization in the Northeast.
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Everything You Need to Know About the Earned Income Tax Credit
Presenter: Mark Schaffer, NYS OTDA
January 27, 2011
The Earned Income Tax Credit is the largest anti-poverty program in the country, larger than food stamps and larger than TANF. In this webinar we will cover what the EITC is, who is eligible, how to claim it, how much it is worth, and the impact it has on other benefit programs. The IRS estimates that 20-25% of eligible families in New York do not claim the credit. This translates to over 300,000 households in New York alone. This webinar will give OTDA the opportunity to heighten awareness of the EITC among professionals who work with low and moderate income families.
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Everything You Need to Know About Energy Efficient Lighting
Presenter: Mark Michalski, NYSERDA
December 8, 2010
With the holiday season approaching, many New Yorkers will decorate with holiday lighting, which can increase household energy bills. At any time of the year, lighting can really burn a hole in someone’s pocket. This webinar will cover everything you need to know about how to light your home efficiently and cost effectively. Please sign up to be a part of this webinar by clicking the link below and become a part of the low-income energy dialogue.
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Affordable Home Energy and Health: Making the Connections
Presenters: Chris Baker, Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, AARP
Lynne Page Snyder, PhD, MPH, NEADA
November 17, 2010
Unaffordable home energy bills pose a serious and increasing threat to the health and well-being of a growing number of older people in low- and moderate-income households. Based on the findings of a new AARP Public Policy Institute report, this webinar will explore the health threats posed by weather and high home energy costs and describe how affordable home energy protects health, facilitates personal independence and reduces inappropriate use of health services. The presenters will also discuss key recommendations from the report that promote adequate and affordable home energy use and acknowledge the role of home energy in helping older adults and people of all ages maintain both economic security and good health. Please sign up to be a part of this webinar by clicking the link below and become a part of the low-income energy dialogue.
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The 2010-2011 Home Energy Assistance Program
Presenters: Greg Abel and Emily Maher-Cmaylo, NYS Office of Temporary Disability Assistance
October 20, 2010
HEAP may help you pay for Electricity, Propane, Natural Gas, Wood, Oil, Kerosene, Coal, or any other heating fuel. HEAP may also be available to assist households whose heat is included in the rent. HEAP is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement a household’s annual energy cost. HEAP also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat or heat related energy emergency. Additionally, HEAP offers a furnace repair and/or replacement benefit for households with inoperable heating equipment.
HEAP season is right around the corner! The 2010-11 HEAP season officially opens on November 1st and the LIFE program is pleased to present this webinar to address any updates that may be new to the 2010-11 HEAP program. This webinar is geared towards people who may be HEAP eligible and want to learn more about the HEAP program and also for organizations who want to learn about how to better serve their clients during the upcoming heating season.
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Lifeline Telephone Service
Presenter: Erin O’Dell-Keller, NYS Department of Public Service
September 15, 2010
Telephone service provides a vital lifeline to emergency services, friends, and family. No one shouldbe out of touch simply because they cannot afford telephone service. Lifeline Telephone Service is a government assistance program that helps income-eligible customers offset the cost of establishing phone service and save money on monthly phone bills.
Lifeline provides a discount on local residential telephone service or wireless telephone service and can save eligible consumers as much as $250 a year. Lifeline service may also include free minutes or use, and /or free telephones.
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Last Updated: 04/27/2012