Effort to beat heat awaits approval

Columbia’s low-income residents feeling the heat this summer because of inefficient window air-conditioning units could soon see some relief.

A partnership between Columbia Water and Light and Central Missouri Community Action to replace 100 inefficient window air conditioners with new energy-efficient ones would benefit Columbia’s disabled, elderly and families with children younger than 5 years old.

Tina Worley, utilities services manager for Columbia Water and Light, told the Water and Light Advisory Board during its July 6 meeting that she plans to draft a memo to City Council asking for approval to a resolution in support of the program at the council’s July 17 meeting.

“We would like to initiate a pilot program and if council approves it, we’ll try to begin by the end of July or early August,” Worley said. “If this works, next year we’ll start much earlier.”

“Council has been very interested in this issue,” said Dan Dasho, Columbia Water and Light director. “We’re looking for what we can do to help the low-income and fixed-income customers deal with the rising energy costs. The way we can help them is by replacing a really inefficient system.”

Randy Cole, energy assistance coordinator for Central Missouri Community Action said the agency’s weatherization crew and established access to low-income families will help if the pilot program is approved.

“We have a lot of contact with low-income citizens and have a really good grasp of where they’re located in Columbia,” Cole said. “I don’t see how there’s any reason this program won’t be successful. We’re looking at ways to train volunteers and utilize all different types of partners in the community to make this a truly successful program.”

If approved, the pilot program will utilize volunteers from CMCA to replace current air conditioners with Energy Star-approved window air-conditioning units. Worley said the project would cost Water and Light approximately $12,000.

Cole said CMCA will use data from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to determine which Columbia residents are living at least 150 percent below the poverty level.

Rosman said recipients will need to have a current air conditioner that is “either very inefficient or not working.”

Dasho said the city is looking to help residents who rent their homes, because “what is the incentive for the owner who doesn’t have to pay the utility bill to improve efficiency on utilities?”

The air-conditioner exchange program, if implemented, would be just one of the programs sponsored by Columbia Water and Light to encourage energy efficiency, Worley said. On June 28, the department sponsored an energy conservation fair to inform residents how to reduce energy costs and make their homes more efficient.

Worley said she plans to meet with CMCA officials to discuss the air-conditioner exchange program this week.

In addition to Columbia’s efforts, the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program awarded Missouri $6.3 million last week to make the homes of low-income residents more energy efficient. The weatherization grant will be administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and local agencies.