One agency has received over half $1 million dollars to residents in four counties cut energy costs.

   Some residents living in one of four counties don't have to suffer through another hot summer. Thanks to state funding that’s now available to help Texans cut energy costs.

 

“We've received more funding than we ever have," says Bee County Community Action, Community Service Director, Randy Kopplin.

 

    Over half a $1 million has been set aside, by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to help residents in Bee, Live Oak, McMullen, and Refugio counties. 

 

     And since funds have been awarded to the Bee County Community Action Agency, staff have been busy using the $690,000 to help qualifying residents, who meet 125 percent of the programs income guidelines. The agency has already helped dozens of residents cut their energy bills by 20 percent.

 

    Workers help to cut residents costs by replacing the least energy efficient appliances. But people don't have to wait for an assessment to start making their own money saving adjustments, and can start weatherizing their home.

 

“Try to weather strip. Say you're attic hatches or redo a lot of door jams," says Kopplin.

 

     The agency specializes in energy crisis prevention, heating and cooling, co-pay and services for the elderly and disabled.

 

     But the changing economy, and a federal stimulus act is boosting visibility of the program, which has been around for years.

 

“It hasn't gotten much attention until this year and we're seeing a lot of monies also in the weatherization program," says Kopplin.

 

 Which ultimately means more savings can be passed along to the community.