Agenda Packets - 1983/04/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MECS FACTSIIEE'r THE PROBLEM... During 1982, the average homeowner in Minnesota paid $730 for natural gas. In 1983, this bill will jump to $840 as natural gas prices increase by 15% statewide. And by 1990 -- only eight years away -- this same homeowner could be paying $1790 if energy consumption isn't reduced. ACTION BEING TAKEN... The Minnesota Department of Energy, Planning and Development (DEPD) is concerned about the impact of rising energy costs on homeowners and renters in Minnesota. Consequently, DEPD is working with four major metropolitan utilities to provide home energy audits to utility company customers so they may learn how to use energy more efficiently and, thereby, save on home energy costs. The audit is a personalized walk-through examination of the home, and the program providing this service is called the Minnesota Energy Conservation Service or MECS.* HOW DOES MECS WORK? If a person receives a gas or electric bill from one of the four participating utilities listed below and lives in a single family home or in an apartment building of up to four units, he or she is eligible to receive a MECS home energy audit. The utilities participating in the metropolitan area are: (� • Northern States Power Co., • North Central Public Service, • Minnegasco, • People's Natural Gas Co. WHAT DOES A CUSTOMER RECEIVE WITH A MECS AUDIT AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? For a one-time cost of $10.00, which is added to the customer's existing utility bill, the customer receives the following information and Eervices: • a personalized home energy audit covering 23 conservation and alternative energy measures, their costs, and aaybacks, • a list of approved contractors and suppliers who can make these improvements, • information on how to finance home energy improvements, • post -installation inspections to determine whether the work was done properly, and • mediation services should they be found to be necessary to remedy complaints concerning the program. **'PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MECS AUDITOR WILL NOT AT ANYTIME PRESSURE*"• OR REQUIRE THE CUSTOMER TO PURCHASE ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE. THE AUDITOR IS THERE TO PROVIDE UNBIASED, ACCURATE INFORMATION SO THE CUSTOMER CAN MAKE BETTER INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING HOME ENERGY USE. 'Federally mandated by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Energy, Planning and Development.