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The ̽����ѡ (̽����ѡ) in Salt Lake City is happy to join the  effort, a collaboration between and the , as an Energy Ambassador. Empower SLC is a community engagement effort designed to bring energy efficiency practices, resources and education to the Salt Lake community—particularly lower income and under-served populations. The ̽����ѡ hopes to provide in-home educational opportunities for refugee families to help them reduce energy consumption and lower home energy costs along the way. 

“Salt Lake City is leading the way in reducing pollution and moving to a more efficient and clean energy future,” Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski stated in a  last month at the launch of Empower SLC.

However, Mayor Biskupski also referred to “the green divide,” or a growing disparity in access to energy efficient tools and resources. The biggest barrier to individual energy efficient practices is the initial cost of infrastructure and resources. Empower SLC strives to bridge the green divide by reducing upfront costs, helping all community members realize the financial savings of energy efficient practices, and ultimately enjoy reduced pollution. The first tangible step for most refugees is participating in the light bulb exchanges for residents in the 84104 and 84116 areas—the program offers an exchange of inefficient, traditional light bulbs for energy efficient LED bulbs. 

The ̽����ѡ in Salt Lake City will act as an Energy Ambassador to the refugees and New Americans we serve on behalf of Empower SLC by educating recently resettled refugee families about energy saving practices that not only reduce pollution, but also save home owners and renters money.

“These include turning off the lights when they’re not in use, adjusting their thermostat settings, adjusting their clothes washer settings, and installing energy efficient LED light bulbs in their homes,” Joshua Lloyd, acting deputy director of programs at the ̽����ѡ in Salt Lake City, explained.

Refugee families have been enthusiastic about the Empower SLC program so far—both for the energy efficiency and financial savings component of the program.

Photo: Samuel Moody/̽����ѡ

“We work with the newest members of our community who have arrived, escaping persecution, to learn to thrive in the community here in Salt Lake City. Through our comprehensive support services to enhance lives and livelihoods, we are on the ground with members of our community who face significant language and cultural barriers. As an Energy Ambassador, the ̽����ѡ is visiting the homes of each of its clients that live in the [designated zip codes] to give them one-on-one training and support on energy saving activities that they can implement in the home.”

Refugee families have been enthusiastic about the program so far—both for the energy efficiency and financial savings component of the program. “The opportunity to connect energy efficiency with financial self-sufficiency is a great element of the program,” Josh continued.

So far, the ̽����ѡ has installed over 100 light bulbs in refugee homes. Each light bulb is expected to lower the electric bill by $12, resulting in over $100 in savings per household per year. While this might not sound like very much, it accounts for significant savings for New American households on a tight budget.

Josh noted the success of the program so far: “Sharing this arithmetic with those households is motivating them to seek out and implement other energy saving practices in their homes. We are confident that this initiative will make these members of our community some of the most energy conscious in the city.”

Energy efficiency is something everyone can do! Get started today by downloading the handy home energy checklist, participating in the light bulb exchanges if you live in the 84104 or 84116, and learning more about Utah Clean Energy’s initiatives by visiting .

Looking to partner with the ̽����ѡ in Salt Lake City and refugee families on community initiatives like Empower SLC? Contact us at SaltLakeCity@rescue.org.