##PRESS RELEASE##
For Immediate Release
Charlottesville, VA
The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) hosted a ribbon-cutting event for their new Charlottesville warehouse on Avon Extended this morning. The event aimed to bring LEAP’s partners and supporters together to celebrate the growth of the organization, including new trucks, staff members, and the expanding reach of LEAP’s energy-efficiency work.
“We at LEAP are excited to celebrate our recent growth as an organization. This wouldn’t have been possible without the partners here helping us celebrate,” stated Chris Meyer, LEAP’s Executive Director.
Albemarle County Supervisor and LEAP Board member Ann Mallek is excited to see the payoff from years of LEAP’s work, commenting, “Needing more space is an exciting outcome to more than a decade of effort by LEAP staff and partners to provide weatherization services for local residents, solving health issues, and reducing energy cost burdens to allow people to live comfortably in their affordable homes.”
An example of LEAP’s recent growth includes the hiring of 5 time-served individuals, out of the City of Charlottesville’s Home to Hope program, to deliver weatherization and energy-efficiency measures to local homes. Members of the new LEAP weatherization crews start with a salary of $15/hr and a full benefits package while receiving on-the-job training.
District 57’s State Delegate Sally Hudson was in attendance to give brief remarks, after which LEAP supporters and friends learned more about LEAP’s work. Charlottesville’s Green Grannies performed a special LEAP-themed song to help celebrate the event.
Despite the COVID pandemic, LEAP provided 286 low-income households with energy-saving measures in 2020. A grant from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation allowed LEAP to add a 3rd truck and 2-person crew in early 2021, and recent grants will allow the addition of 2-3 trucks/crews before the end of the year. LEAP is on pace to serve more than 400 low-income households in 2021. Households that receive these energy-saving measures, such as insulation, air sealing, LED lightbulbs to replace incandescent bulbs, and heating/cooling equipment improvements usually save between 30-50% on their future energy bills.
“I’m really excited about the increased impact we are making on the local community. The work we do addresses not only reducing the high energy burden low-income households face, but also provides them a more comfortable home and keeps that home affordable,” mentioned Meyer.
While LEAP received grants to support its growth, the majority of its funding is provided via fees for services, with major clients being Dominion Energy Virginia, Albemarle County, and the City of Charlottesville.
‘Mobile murals’ by local artists Karina Monroy and Federico Cuatlacuatl were also on display at the event – the murals decorate the sides of two of LEAP’s weatherization trucks and offer unique, mobile art for the public to enjoy.
CONTACT: Erin Morgan, Marketing and Outreach Manager, Local Energy Alliance Program, erin@leap-va.org, 540-407-2412
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The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. As a trusted nonprofit, LEAP delivers direct education and services for improved energy performance that address climate change; create cost savings for families and businesses; enable healthier, safer, and more durable buildings; and bolster local jobs and economic growth.
Website: leap-va.org
Email: info@leap-va.org
Facebook: Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
Twitter: @LEAP_VA
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