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Efficiency For All (EFA) shared event on Energy Equity and Housing Access in Connecticut.
M=POWER 3.0 Policy Platform for 2025–2026
This important event highlighted innovative and community-driven policy solutions to address the intersection of high energy costs, environmental justice, and equitable housing access across our state.
Connecticut faces an urgent challenge: residential buildings account for the highest energy burden in the state at 34%, while only 7% of our total energy use comes from renewable resources. Currently, 60% of Connecticut’s energy supply relies exclusively on natural gas, a non-renewable and financially unstable fuel type. To secure a resilient and equitable future, we must draw down energy demand and advance housing policies that prioritize efficiency, affordability, and access; particularly in our financially distressed communities and EJ zones.
EFA brings more than 25 years of proven outcomes, with the last decade recognized nationally and internationally for leadership in environmental justice and clean energy. Leticia Colon de Mejias, EFA founder and co-chair, has been honored with the EPA Award, the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Award, and the NECEC Award for her commitment to equity and sustainability. Now, we are proud to continue our mission to expand equity throughout Connecticut; aligning directly with the State’s environmental and housing priorities.
Since 2013, the M=POWER initiative has grown from education for children and families to
comprehensive workforce development. To date, we have trained over 200 residents from
Connecticut’s EJ communities for careers in clean energy and served more than 17,000 homes through energy efficiency and housing access programs. This body of work reflects EFA’s ongoing mission to build capacity, opportunity, and resilience for the communities most impacted by financial disparities and housing inequities.
At this event, EFA will presented the M=POWER 3.0 Policy Platform: “Energy & Housing Equity: Our Solution for Pollution in EJ Communities & Our State.” We envision this as a collaborative event co-hosted with the Department of Housing (DOH), and with participation and support from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), state legislators, agencies, and partner organizations.
M=POWER 2.0, our most recent project with the DOH in New Haven, has served 30 homes in Hazel Newhallville street, serving financially distressed and EJ zones with retrofits that reduce energy demand and pollution. Through home assessments, whole-house air sealing and insulation, improved ventilation, and barrier removal for residents for energy savings, we are making a difference in demand reduction, and the health of our communities; one house at a time.
In partnership with the DOH, we are mirroring our successes from M=POWER 2.0, and groundbreaking in Hartford at a larger scale, supporting Connecticut’s broader clean energy goals. Together, we can build solutions that ensure every community benefits from affordable, sustainable housing and a just transition to clean energy. This is real work in our communities that need it most; with proven results, outcomes, and testimonies for healthier homes and energy equity for all.
Links to Reports and Outcomes:
M=POWER 3.0 Presentation:
https://efficiencyforall.org/wordpress/2025/08/11/m-power-3-0-an-energy-equity-and-housing-resilience-initiative/
2024 Outcomes Report:
https://efficiencyforall.org/wordpress/2025/04/07/efa-outcomes-2024-report/
New Haven Independent – M=POWER 2.0 (ERRP) DOH Article
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/2025/07/15/retrofit_program_brings_healthier_safer_homes_to_newhallville_residents/
A Decade of Impact: 10 Year Report
https://efficiencyforall.org/wordpress/2025/08/11/a-decade-of-impact-10-year-report/
We sincerely hope you will support our initiative, and join us in advancing this important work toward statewide expansion for all 27 EJ and financially distressed zones, giving Connecticut a hand up, not a hand out.
