New Energy Interns in Hazard, Kentucky
Two former coal industry workers start commercial energy efficiency internships
BEREA, Ky. (October 4, 2018) — Two former coal industry workers from Perry and Harlan Counties have enrolled in the New Energy Intern program with the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED).
John Craft of Hazard and Scott Shoupe of Harlan joined MACED on October 1, and will focus on commercial energy efficiency during their six-month internship. The New Energy Intern program is a partnership between MACED, East Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) and several other organizations. Funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER program, the paid internships are designed to mentor former coal industry workers to work in the growing energy efficiency and renewable energy sector. This is the second cohort of New Energy Interns. Participants are selected from applicants across eastern Kentucky, with special consideration given to displaced coal industry workers and recent graduates from building or industrial technology programs.
During their internship, Craft and Shoupe will learn and practice energy auditing skills and be trained to implement energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy systems. They will also learn about communications, sales and marketing, and small business startup skills.
Craft and Shoupe are both interested in starting their own businesses after they complete their internships. “I was a coal miner for 21 years,” Shoupe said. “I want to use this internship to learn everything I can to help my community and to build the economy. Eventually, I want to be the one hiring interns.”
“The internships are a win-win,” MACED President Peter Hille said. “They put laid-off coal workers back to work in the energy sector helping eastern Kentucky businesses become more profitable through energy savings.” MACED has helped eastern Kentucky businesses save as much as $100,000 a year through energy efficiency. “Energy efficiency is the low-hanging fruit of the energy sector,” Hille said.
Craft and Shoupe will complete their first energy efficiency retrofit at the Hemphill Community Center in Letcher County on October 29, which will include a public demonstration from 2-3:30pm that media are welcome to attend.
MACED is a 42-year-old nonprofit that works with businesses and communities in eastern Kentucky to advance a just transition to a new economy in Central Appalachia. MACED offers loans and business guidance to existing and startup enterprises, particularly those that may not qualify for traditional financing. The energy efficiency program helps businesses, nonprofits, schools and local governments use less energy and save money through utility bill analysis, on-site walkthrough energy audits, consulting and financing. For more information, visit www.mtassociation.org.
##
Learn more about this program or apply here!
