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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | GIVING GUIDE 2022 31 power for good PERATION FUEL OPERATION FUEL MISSION: Operation Fuel ensures equitable energy access for all by providing year-round energy and utility bill assistance, promoting energy independence and advocating for affordable energy. 75 CHARTER OAK AVENUE, SUITE 2-240, HARTFORD, CT 06106 | 860-243-2345 | WWW.OPERATIONFUEL.ORG "I'm married with two kids and a stepson; this pandemic has shown me the best and worst in people. I used to work at a nursing home, where I contracted COVID and gave it to my family. My husband almost died. I had to stop working, which left me unable to pay our bills. I even lost my car. But organizations like Operation Fuel are making a difference in my community. I am grateful; my family is grateful. ank you." — Shadae a client in Stamford. ABOUT US Year established : 1977 Annual revenues: $ 6,811,299.64 Total number of employees: 14 GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S): All of Connecticut TOP FUNDING SOURCES State regulator fines: 38% State funds: 31% Foundations: 11% Add-A-Dollar: 9% Individuals: 7% Corporations: 3% Other: 1% BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brenda Watson Executive Director Megan Brown Board chair Thames Valley Council for Community Action John Bowman F. F. Hitchcock Oil Co., LLC Daniel Canavan AVANGRID, Inc. Scott Jellison The Metropolitan District Commission Amy McLean Connecticut Director & Senior Policy Advocate Lorenzo Wyatt Home Comfort Practice Rauchell Beckford-Anderson Shipman & Goodwin Alexandrea Isaac FuelCell Energy Peter Ludwig Connecticut Green Bank Nicolas Neeley Retired PURA Jonathan Harris Eversource Energy WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION DO? We are the country's oldest fuel fund, serving as a nationwide model since its founding in 1977. Amid the worldwide oil embargo in the 1970s that caused an unprecedented spike in home heating costs, the organization was created by then-Governor Ella Grasso and a coalition of industry leaders and religious communities to address the impact of the crisis in Connecticut and provide temporary relief for residents who fell through the cracks of government assistance programs. Although the oil embargo is long over, energy affordability is still a crisis for too many Connecticut residents. Our organization remains the primary source of assistance for low- to moderate-income households that have exhausted other options to keep their homes warm and their lights on. Our mission is to ensure equitable energy access for all through year-round bill payment assis- tance, promoting energy independence and advocating for affordable energy. We raise and distribute funds to struggling households through our energy assistance program, benefiting the poor and working poor; the disabled; the elderly; and residents of all ethnic backgrounds. HOW DID YOUR ORGANIZATION ACHIEVE LAST YEAR'S GOALS? Our recent accomplishments include: • Last fiscal year, we distributed the largest amount of energy assistance grants in the last five years: $5,215,962. Those funds supported 15,466 struggling people in over 8,577 households. • We accept applications through our online portal, meaning clients can complete an application anytime, from anywhere they have internet access. • In 2020, we partnered with Aquarion Water Company and CT Water to assist low-income customers with their water bills. • In October 2021, we held a successful, virtual Energy Efficiency Day summit with over 100 participants, during which speakers discussed Connecticut's energy efficiency programs, as well as environmental justice and water policies. • We distributed a report to members of the state General Assembly outlin- ing our accomplishments and the necessary steps to reduce the energy burden of over 400,000 families who cannot afford their energy bills. • We received a portion of the fines levied by the state utility regulator against utility companies and funneled that money directly into low-to-moderate-in- come households needing assistance with their power, heating or water bills. HOW CAN PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES HELP YOUR ORGANIZATION? Businesses and corporations can provide grants and sponsorships to our organization. For more information, call our development director, Elsa Monteiro, at (860) 243-2345, ext. 3306. Individuals can make donations through our website, https://operationfuel. org/give. You can securely make a gift online, or you can mail a check. POST-PANDEMIC Even before the onset of COVID, we were already receiving many more requests for assistance than we could fulfill. Our greatest challenge is that demand has only intensified alongside the public health crisis. Yet while Connecticut has reopened, the demand for energy assistance has not abated. The state utility regulator ordered utility companies not to shut off utilities until the crisis eased, but that was rescinded at the end of last year. For many families, bills have piled up — and now they need to either pay or face a shut-off, which would exacerbate the hygiene and health concerns. Unfortunately, many don't have the income to do so because of the pandemic's lingering financial impact. And as home heating prices skyrocket, the situation makes it all the more challenging for families to afford their utility bills. Operation Fuel joined Gov. Ned Lamont and other legislative leaders to celebrate the signing of the CT Clean Air Act. Operation Fuel testified in favor of the legislation, which will reduce air pollution and expand transportation options in CT. Notably, the new law establishes a voucher program for Operation Fuel clients and other state residents to access electric bikes. Picture from left to right; Policy and Public Affairs Director for Operation Fuel, Gannon Long; State Rep. Roland Lemar; E-bike Advocate, Kate Rozen; and Tracy Babbidge, CT DEEP Air Bureau.