Action, Inc. Energy Director wins National Award  

November 27, 2001- In commemoration of the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program having weatherized its five-millionth home since 1976, Cape Ann Energy Director Elliott Jacobson of Action, Inc. was awarded the National Recognition Award from the Department. He was one of ten people in the nation to receive the award. The award is given to an individual that has demonstrated program commitment and, through their initiative, made a significant impact toward improving management capability and service delivery within the weatherization network.

Weatherization reduces the annual utility bills of low-income families and saves energy. Low-income families typically spend 14 percent of their annual income on energy compared with 3.5 percent for other households. Last winter alone Action, Inc. weatherized 1,282 homes on Cape Ann and through its Community Action network.

Action, Inc. is the administrative vendor for two major utility companies Keyspan and MassElectric. Throughout the state more than 4,000 homes receive services under these programs. For every dollar spent, the Weatherization Assistance Program returns $2.10 in energy savings.

A large part of the program's success is due to the vision and strategic leadership of Elliott Jacobson's more than 20 years of commitment. As an energy advocate for the poor, Jacobson has influenced weatherization programs from the grassroots level to the national policy level. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including chairman of the Low and Moderate Income Task Force for the President's Climate Change Action Plan (1993-1995) and one of the founders of the Massachusetts Low-income Energy Affordablity Network (LEAN) funded by Massachusetts gas and electric utilities. Under Jacobson's leadership LEAN has designed and implemented the most cost-effective, equitable, and standardized energy efficiency programs. His peers as well as utility partners recognize him as a lea

ding expert in weatherization funding and policy development. For more information on how to qualify for weatherization assistance call (978) 283-2131