Energy Smart, a leading energy efficiency program in New Orleans, developed by the New Orleans City Council and administered by Entergy New Orleans, has partnered with Thrive New Orleans to expand outreach and participation in its energy-saving offerings. As an official Energy Smart program partner, Thrive New Orleans will perform vital community outreach throughout all five City Council Districts, helping residential and business customers access the often free, energy-saving services offered by Energy Smart.
Thrive New Orleans plays a key role in advocating for Energy Smart’s program offerings at fairs, festivals, neighborhood association meetings, and monthly events at each Entergy Customer Care Center. By representing Energy Smart at these community events, Thrive New Orleans ensures that more -Entergy New Orleans customers are informed about the program’s benefits, which include free energy assessments that can lead to significant savings on utility bills.
In addition to its presence at local events, Thrive New Orleans conducts annual, hands-on workshops with community organizations, providing practical education about energy-saving strategies and available program services. Thrive New Orleans also serves as a liaison to New Orleans’ affordable housing advocate networks, amplifying the program’s visibility and participation among some of the city’s most underserved populations.
A central focus of this partnership is Thrive New Orleans’ role in implementing a targeted neighborhood canvassing strategy. This will focus on income-qualified customers, neighborhoods with severe urban heat island effects, and areas with high energy burdens, as well as other neighborhoods facing environmental and social justice challenges. By directly engaging with these communities, Thrive New Orleans aims to increase awareness and drive participation in Energy Smart’s free energy assessments, which can help lower energy costs and improve home comfort.
“Thrive New Orleans’ strong ties to the community gives us the opportunity to connect directly with our utility customers and help them reduce their energy usage and costs,” said Derek Mills,Demand Side Management Manager, at Entergy New Orleans.. “It is truly rewarding to witness the meaningful impact our program has on the lives of those served by Thrive.”
Through the partnership, Thrive New Orleans will help Energy Smart engage with communities where the organization has the most impact—especially in low-income neighborhoods where high energy burdens are a persistent challenge. By working closely with Thrive New Orleans, Energy Smart aims to ensure these communities know about the available resources and the ways in which they can reduce their energy consumption and save money.
The partnership also enables Energy Smart to gain visibility and awareness within organizations and local communities where Thrive New Orleans has an established and trusted presence. Thrive New Orleans has a strong foothold in low-income areas, making it an ideal partner to reach the residents most in need of energy-saving solutions.
“We are excited to partner with Energy Smart to bring these valuable resources to New Orleans residents,” said Chuck Morse, Executive Director of Thrive New Orleans. “By working together, we can empower individuals and families to take control of their energy usage, reduce their bills, and help create a more sustainable and equitable future for our city.”
Energy Smart’s collaboration with Thrive New Orleans represents a significant step forward in making energy efficiency accessible to all residents, particularly those in communities that often face higher energy costs and environmental challenges. With this partnership, Energy Smart is positioned to reach a broader audience and provide even greater benefits to New Orleans’ diverse neighborhoods.
For more information about Energy Smart and its partnership with Thrive New Orleans, contact Alexandria Patin at alex@thrivenola.org. Also visit, https://energysmartnola.info/