MLGW’s Share the Pennies program: small change makes a big difference

The Share the Pennies Home Weatherization Program is proof that small change can make a big difference. Started in 2013, Share the Pennies is a partnership between Memphis Light, Gas and Water and the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA). The partnership aligns with MIFA’s mission of serving vulnerable members of the community and is designed to help address energy burden in Memphis and Shelby County. The utility bill round-up program provides grants for qualified-income homeowners to receive weatherization and energy-efficiency repairs for their homes. The program celebrated another milestone recently with the completion of over 800 homes at the end of June 2023. This accomplishment was achieved with the help of other key partners. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provided a donation of $1 million and City of Memphis Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help support the work of the program.

 

While Memphis continues to have some of the lowest energy rates in the country, the city leads the nation in energy burden. Many residents live in older homes that are not energy efficient and high utility bills can easily become an issue. MLGW created Share the Pennies as a direct response and reflection of concern regarding energy burden in the community. The program leads all local efforts performing energy-efficiency repairs and programming for customers with fixed and limited incomes. The results of the program include reduced utility bills, increased health and safety outcomes and more resilient housing stock.

Qualified homeowners who are in need of assistance can receive weatherization work and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost. The program is currently at capacity and not accepting applications. While these services are free to eligible homeowners, a large amount of funding is required to support the program.

Qualified contractors are  hired to complete the repairs and MLGW oversees all processes to ensure overall program success and customer satisfaction.

Outside of MLGW and MIFA, the most important partnership is with participating MLGW customers. Share the Pennies receives funding through participating customers who have their utility bills rounded up to the next whole dollar and the extra change donated is used for the weatherization grants. For example, if your utility costs are $174.50, your bill is rounded up to $175, and 50 cents is donated for the grant program.

Prior to January 2018, Share the Pennies was an opt-in program. This meant customers had to sign up to donate to the program. In 2016, current Memphis City Councilwoman Patrice Robison, proposed a resolution to automatically enroll all customers in the round-up program, allowing customers an easy way for Memphians to help Memphians by making a contribution to the community. Customers have the ability to opt out of the program at any time. The Memphis City Council passed the resolution with a unanimous 10-0 vote and the MLGW Board of Commissioners voted to approve the change in February. 2017.

In January 2018, the new funding model was applied to all residential and commercial customers. Since its implementation, the program has raised over $7.5 million with 87% customer enrollment. MLGW is pleased to lead the effort to create energy-efficient homes in Memphis and Shelby County and looks forward to making a larger impact in the community in the future.