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New program to help low-income homeowners become more energy efficient

THUNDER BAY -- There are people in the city who have to decide whether to pay for food or the electricity to cook it because they can't afford both.
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RFDA executive director Volker Kromm. (Jamie Smith, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- There are people in the city who have to decide whether to pay for food or the electricity to cook it because they can't afford both.

The Regional Food Distribution Association typically helps those people by offering them food or getting them access to a community kitchen. But a new program from Thunder Bay Hydro aims to help those people save money and stay home.

Called the Home Assistance Program, qualified low-income homeowners and renters can get an energy auditor into their home.

If energy deficiencies are found the local utility, through funding by the Independent Electricity System Operator, will foot the bill to make the home more energy efficient, which will lower the hydro bill.

"That could be low flow shower heads, that could be lighting but it goes all the way up to and including the professional installation of energy star appliances," Thunder Bay Hydro vice-president of customer service and conservation Tim Wilson said.

"We're really trying to make a difference for our low income residents and tenants and help them out any way that we can."

RFDA executive director Volker Kromm said with demand increasing and the weather getting colder, the announcement couldn't have come along at a better time.

"It's good news for our clients because they're asking," he said.

The announcement also came with 200 bags of food, donated by hydro employees, which Kromm said is always needed.

"There's more food going out than coming in," he said.

 





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