Limited-Income Energy Consumers Have Access to Energy Outreach Safety Net

DENVER, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Limited-income consumers struggling to pay their home energy bills may be qualified for an energy assistance safety net offered through nonprofit Energy Outreach Colorado.  The statewide nonprofit is distributing $1.2 million in additional energy assistance funds to 125 assistance organizations to help the elderly, veterans and others in need catch up on winter heating bills.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100608/EOCLOGO)

Energy Outreach Colorado's safety net is particularly important as the state's federally-funded Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) stops accepting applications April 30 until next November.  That leaves Energy Outreach and its 125 partner agencies as the lone energy assistance providers during the summer for low-income Coloradans in danger of having their home energy shut off.

"Ongoing cuts in federal funding leave more families with children and the elderly at risk of having their energy shut off," said Skip Arnold, Energy Outreach Colorado's executive director.  "We were established nearly 25 years ago to raise funds to fill the gap between the energy assistance needs of our communities and federal resources." 

Since 1989, Energy Outreach has raised about $182 million from individuals and organizations for its energy affordability programs.  These include energy assistance and energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing communities and nonprofit facilities.  Since last October, EOC has helped more than 95,000 households with a total of nearly $2.7 million in energy assistance payments that are made as credits to their overdue energy bills.

To apply for assistance, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please go to www.EnergyOutreach.org or call toll free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435). 

About Energy Outreach Colorado

Helping all Coloradans afford home energy.

Energy Outreach Colorado is the only independent, non-profit organization in the state raising money to help limited income Coloradans afford home energy.  Since it was established in 1989, EOC has raised more about $182 million to fund energy bill payment assistance, energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing and non-profit facilities, and advocacy on behalf of low-income energy consumers.  Energy Outreach Colorado relies on private donations, corporate contributions and foundation grants.  It has received top ratings from Charity Navigator for 10 consecutive years and is an accredited charity member of the Better Business Bureau.  Energy Outreach Colorado, www.EnergyOutreach.org, can be reached at 303-825-8750 or at 225 E. 16^th Ave. Ste. 200, Denver, CO  80203-1612.

SOURCE Energy Outreach Colorado