NEUAC Honors Energy Assistance Leaders at Denver Conference
DENVER, June 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 570 representatives from the nation's largest coalition of energy assistance leaders is meeting in Denver this week (June 6 - 8) for the annual conference of The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC). Skip Arnold, Executive Director of Energy Outreach Colorado, will be awarded the national Sister Pat Kelley Award, which NEUAC presents annually to recognize an energy assistance advocate who has demonstrated lifetime achievement in increasing public awareness of low-income energy issues, advancing energy assistance policy and promoting charitable energy assistance.
Sister Pat Kelley, a nun based in St. Louis with the Sisters of Charity order, was the founder of the national effort to advocate for energy assistance for vulnerable households. After the summer of 1980 when hundreds of vulnerable citizens died during a terrible mid-west heat wave, Sister Pat Kelley started Missouri EnergyCare, and then the National Fuel Funds Network with a mission to advocate for energy assistance. The award ensures the work that was so important to her lives on.
"We are thrilled to be in Denver this year where advocates such as Skip Arnold have tirelessly stood up for and worked to reduce the energy burden of vulnerable citizens," said John Rich, president of NEUAC. "Mr. Arnold first worked for Public Service Co. of Colorado, then for the past 13 years as Energy Outreach Colorado's executive director, and he exemplifies the work of Sister Pat Kelley."
Arnold said he is honored to receive the Sister Pat Kelley award on behalf of Energy Outreach Colorado's board and staff. "Everyone at Energy Outreach Colorado is inspired by the mission of Sister Pat Kelley and together we continue her work to ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors have access to home energy," he said.
About Energy Outreach Colorado and NEUAC
Energy Outreach Colorado is the only non-profit in the state that raises funds to help low-income Coloradans afford home energy and remain warm and safe in their homes. Established in 1989, Energy Outreach works with partner assistance organizations, vendors and subcontractors across the state to provide energy bill payment assistance, emergency home furnace repair, weatherization services, energy efficiency grants for affordable housing and nonprofit facilities, energy education, and advocacy on behalf of low-income energy consumers.
About NEUAC: The Coalition is national, broad-based and diverse. Its mission is to heighten awareness of the energy needs of low- and moderate income Americans. NEUAC members are working to reduce the energy burden of vulnerable households through advocacy, policy improvements and partnerships. The NEUAC is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization formed in 2013 by the merger of the National Fuel Funds Network and the National Low-Income Energy Consortium.
SOURCE National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC)
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