A Tennessee Homecoming
Earlier this fall, Appalachian Voices’ Amy Kelly completed her move to Knoxville, Tenn., effectively reopening our office — and our program to bring energy efficiency to the Volunteer State. The move was a homecoming in more than one way, as Amy’s family has lived in Tennessee since before it was a state, and before mountaintop removal coal mining scarred the landscape she calls home.
As Tennessee Energy Savings Outreach Coordinator, Amy will be working with communities served by rural electric cooperatives to institute a program that will help residents — including low-income families — complete energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. The initiative can help residents save up to 40 percent on their electric bills, make their homes more healthy and comfortable, help grow local economies and reduce our region’s reliance on burning carbon-emitting coal for electricity.
For more information and to find out how to get involved with Amy’s work, visit AppVoices.org/energysavings/tennessee
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