Reflection of My Internship Experience with NJPIRG

I cannot believe it, but the day has finally come. As the spring semester comes to an end, I am glad I took part in this internship experience. From the day Annabel came to speak in my biology class, I took interest with PIRG. Most people join clubs and organizations to have something to add to their resume, but it takes someone who is motivated to make a change. That's what I wanted to do. We currently are witnesses of the changes in the environment and the energy crisis that we face, however some people continue to add to our crises instead of working to make a change. I didn't realize how high the numbers were, and how this is actually affecting us, until I did a presentation for the Energy Cafe, where we spoke out about some of these issues. I was also able to listen to a guest speaker talk about how we use energy, and what will become of us in the future. All this knowledge that I've acquired has encouraged me to not only to speak out the community, but actually encourage people to participate in changing their ways of living.

I would encourage everyone who is motivated and wants to make a change to take part in NJPIRG. Sometimes it might be hard to balance organizations with a busy academic schedule, but one of the good things with NJPIRG is that you don't have to intern, but instead you can just join to volunteer or for community service. NJPIRG also has several campaigns including Energy Service Corp, Hunger & Homelessness, Sustainable U, Citizens United; each targeting a different issue offering a variety for people to choose on what they would like to work on. As an intern with Energy Service Corp we worked to increase energy efficiency and solve the energy crisis we face today. We not only communicate, but also offer a free weatherization service. I wasn't with the weatherizations group, however this semester we accomplished to weatherize 85 houses, including some frat houses here in Rutgers. That is just incredible! We not only save energy, but are helping to save money and decreasing their energy bill by 30%.

I remember on the few times that we went canvassing, some of the residents that we spoke with thought we might have been a scam or something. I mean a free service that's going to help save money with nothing in return? that sounds almost hard to believe. They would say, "Oh sorry my  husband isn't here, I need to speak with him first." or " I'm only a tenant, not the owner of the house." However, we explained that we do simple changes to their homes, and all to benefit them, changes that could simple be removed if they don't want it. Once said, most of them agreed to our services.

As we spoke to each resident, I could feel the knowledge I bought upon each and every one of them. Some people really don't know, and are throwing their money literally out of the window. I would have like to have started canvassing earlier, however the lack of Spanish speaking interns slowed the process. As a freshman, becoming involved with an organization such as NJPIRG requires time and dedication, all of which I've given. I feel the hardest part for me was managing my time with certain things, and it's a struggle every new incoming freshman faces. Most interns did weatherizations, and very few for community education, which we should encourage more people to do so. Educating everyone to become energy efficient will not only solve the energy crisis, but help make this world a better place to live.  

Spread The Word to the Community

Here are two flyers I have made which are extremely helpful for current low-income families, now only in the New Brunswick area, but anywhere really. It summarizes some federal programs and grants available, as well as a brief overview of what we serve do accomplish in NJPIRG, such as weatherizations and community education. They were supposed to distributed at a table, unfortunately that was not able to happen. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I encourage everyone to print some out and hand them out, even if its to a random person you don't know, it'll help. Maybe engage in a conversation. You never know they might be interested, and so we can continue doing all the wonderful things we've accomplished this semester for the fall semester. Flyers are both in spanish and english, and contains the same exact information. I'd appreciate the collaboration !

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a grant that helps low-income families pay
their heating bills. 

To receive help… 

• You don’t have to be on public assistance 

•  You don’t need to have an unpaid heating bill 

•  You can either rent or own your home 

How does LIHEAP work? 
LIHEAP offers both cash and crisis grants. Families may apply for:
Cash Grants 

• help families pay their heating bills. 
•  grant payment is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider. 

Crisis Grants 

• additional money given to families who are in jeopardy of losing their heat or have lost their heat already.

Who is eligible? 

You may qualify for a LIHEAP grant if your income meets the following income guidelines:

INCOME GUIDELINES 

2011 - 2012 LIHEAP

(For Homeowners and Renters)

 

Household  Maximum 

Size  Income 

1  $ 16,335 

2  $ 22,065 

3  $ 27,795 

4  $ 33,525 

5  $ 39,255 

6  $ 44,985 

7  $ 50,715 

8  $ 56,445 

9  $ 62,175 

10  $ 67,905 

Each Additional Person Add $ 5,730

YOU CAN APPLY ONLINE AT :  www.compass.state.pa.us 

 

Federal Grants

For the last 2 weeks or so, I've been doing some reach on some state grants and/or of assistance programs that  helps to lower energy costs for many residents. This is information will be used for our table this Friday outside of Bravo supermarket, when we're informing some of the New Brunswick community of several opportunities available to them and they don't even know it. These assistance programs or grants are not only applicable to New Brunswick, but to anyone in general who applies and meets the eligibility requirements.

The three main services available are:

1. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WPA)

2. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP) 

3. Universal Service Fund Prorgams (USF Pogram)

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WPA) is a program offered to assist elderly, handicapped and low-income families in weatherizing their homes, improving their heating system efficiency and conserving energy.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
The weatherization program has four steps:
1. An application is submitted to the local service provider to
determine program eligibility;
2. An energy audit of the home is conducted to identify needs;
3. The home is weatherized; and
4. Home is inspected to assure quality of work completed.
WHAT SERVICES ARE INCLUDED?
Services might include but are not limited to:

• air sealing of cracks and holes to reduce heat loss;
• insulation of attics and walls;
• heating system repairs or replacement;
• providing efficient lighting and refrigeration;
• window and/or outside door repair or replacement; and;
• minor repairs which are needed to ensure maximum efficiency of the weatherization services performed.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEATHERIZATION SERVICES?
Eligibility is based on household income relative to federal low-income
guidelines. If a household contains a member who receives Supplemental
Security Income (SSI), Public Assistance, Food Stamps, or Home
Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefits, the household is considered
automatically eligible for weatherization services.

My Canvassing Experience

Since the week of March 30th, every single Friday up until last Friday, Dayana, Enrique & I have been going out in the New Brunswick area and speaking to some of the residents about the energy crisis we face today and some of the slight changes that can be done in their own homes. The areas in green indicate the streets we could canvass, while the areas in red we could not.

Every Friday we took off from the Rutgers Student Center and walked on for several hours, knocking and speaking to as much household's that we could reach. Fortunately, every Friday the weather was amazing, which put to us to an advantage. We spoke to each resident about how expensive everything has become and money being a big issue. Every resident we spoke to agreed that they were paying alot on their energy bills, including electricity, oil, etc.

Our main goal was to try and get as many people to agree to get their houses weatherized, which since the day we started until our last canvassing last Friday, we got about 8 houses, which was great. Every house we do counts! We also made sure to have every resident sign an energy pledge, even if they were not interested in our weatherization services.

Some of the people we've encountered really didn't believe us when we first started that our services were free. I mean what things are free now a days? So most people thought it was probably a scam, but in reality when we explained to them exactly what we do and how they can contact us, most agreed to our services.

Canvassing 3/30/12

Yesterday, kelly, Dayana, Enrique, and I went out for our first day of canvassing.. Woohooo ! I was pretty excited even though I was a bit nervous about speaking in spanish to others. The weather was beautiful and we were able to go walking where we had to canvass. We started our tour from the Rutger Student Center and walked down by Joyce Kilmer Ave. Dayana and I were rehearsing the canvassing rap in Spanish in which we would use to explain to the people of New Brunswick. As we went knocking door by door, we basically introduced ourselves, stated that we work to increase energy efficiency in the community, and we wanted to give them a few helpful tips on ways in which they can both save energy and some money. Our main goal was to try to get people to sign the energy pledge and interested in having their houses weatherized. In order to do this we emphasized that what we do is totally free, and informed them of the simple things that we do so that they would know. We got to about 15 houses and got 1 family to accept to have their homes weatherized. We'll be going out next friday as well in hopes of reaching out to the community even further!

More Canvassing Materials

Energy Trivia!

(1)  What percentage of the coal that is burnt reaches the consumer as electricity?

a.       Only one third (33.3%) of the energy in burning coal reaches the consumer as electricity.

(2)  Although not on, what percentage of energy does a household appliance use if still plugged in?

a.       40%

(3)  When you turn on an incandescent light bulb, what percent of the electricity used is turned into light?

a.       10% --the other 90% is lost as heat. A compact fluorescent light bulb uses 75 percent less energy than a regular bulb and it can last up to 10 times longer.

(4)  What is one of the top sources of methane emissions?

a.       Cows! Their flatulents release an inordinate amount of CH4 into our atmosphere

(5)  Can you name 3 types of renewable energy?

a.       Any variation of:  Solar, Wind, Hydropower, Geothermal, Biofuel, Biomass

** Did you know…?  According to the American Solar Energy Society, enough sunlight falls on the earth's surface each minute to meet world energy demand for an entire year

**Did you know…?  One mature tree on the south side of your house provides as much summer cooling as five midsized air-conditioners.

Canvassing Materials

Tips to Help You Save Money & Energy

v  Turn water heater down to 120°

v  Take shorter, cooler showers

v  Unplug electronics when not in use

v  Carpool/bus/trains or walk

v  Use CFL (swirly) light bulbs

Did You Know?

Coal takes a million years to create and therefore it belongs to non-renewable energy sources.

www.energyservicecorps.org/new-jersey

“Green the Greeks” Weekend - A success!

Saturday March 3,2012 and Sunday March 4, 2012, Energy Service Corp had two very busy days of weatherization's, both of which were a total success.

They weatherized 5 frat houses and 9 other houses, giving them a total of 14 houses that weekend.

Good job guys and keep the change coming!

Rutgers Energy Cafe

A while back Energy Service Corp held a presentation for the Energy Cafe at the Busch Campus Center in which a group of us went to speak of what NJPIRG's Energy Service Corp is all about. We discussed some of the problems involving energy as well as the financial problems, and why there's a need for change. We also talked about our services of free weatherization and about community education and K-12.

This week we should finally be able to start canvassing and going out into the New Brunswick community to help educate and inform residents on ways they can save energy. If all goes as planned, we should be going out this Friday March 30 from about 1:30-4pm. I'm really excited to finally get started and really just going out to the community and trying to make a change. Sadly there's not many bilingual interns that can help, but anyone who speaks Spanish is more than welcome to come and canvas. I started looking into some research on federal and state grants available to NJ residents, in which many might not be aware of that can help them tremendously. So much help is offered to residents in New Jersey, but language is always a barrier. I hope that I can break this wall and really provide and change the lives of many residents in New Brunswick, and save them some cash as well.

NJPIRGs Energy Service Corps 12th Annual Education Week

Days:3

Volunteers: 34

Cities: 3 

Schools: 8

K-12 Students Taught: 1,670

Over the past week 39 college students and AmeriCorps members gave up their spring breaks to travel to Newark, Trenton, and Atlantic City to educate K-12 students on clean energy and easy solutions to our energy crisis. These amazing volunteers and AmeriCorps members educated 1,670 students in 92 classes at 8 schools!