OG&E, Urban League Help Improve Midwest City Neighborhood

OG&E volunteers weatherize two Urban League homes, beautify park OKLAHOMA CITY – OG&E volunteers will partner Saturday, May 7, with the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City to improve the energy efficiency and overall appearance of two homes in Midwest City’s Holman addition. The day-long event is part of the Urban League’s affordable housing program, which will lease the homes to income restricted families once improvements are made. “The Urban League is committed to bringing affordable, quality housing to the community,” said Dr. Valerie Thompson, Urban League president and CEO.  “Developing affordable housing also means finding solutions to ease costs associated with rent, utilities and maintenance expenses.  Energy efficiency is a must for our developments.  OG&E continues to be a faithful partner in providing energy efficiency guidance and resources.” Along with painting, landscaping and other general repairs, volunteers will work with OG&E’s weatherization program partner Skyline Energy Solutions to weatherize both homes. Weatherization includes adding insulation in the attic as well as caulking and weather stripping doors and windows. “Our weatherization programs have been in place since 2008, and Urban League has been key in helping us qualify customers for these valuable services,” said Jesse Langston, vice president of utility commercial operations for OG&E. “These programs provide families in need with comfortable housing as well as help lower their utility bills, especially during extreme hot and cold months.” The homes are located at 1100 Sycamore Drive and 3405 Sycamore Drive. In addition to home improvements, volunteers also will work to beautify the neighborhood park. “During our conversations with Urban League, we identified the need to improve the neighborhood for potential homeowners in this addition,” Langston said. “It’s the hope of both organizations, along with the City of Midwest City and the Holman Neighborhood Association, that these improvements will be a catalyst for future neighborhood revitalization.” Langston added that having OG&E employees involved in weatherization efforts helps to drive home the company’s commitment both to community service and its energy efficiency programs. OG&E offers free low income and fixed income weatherization to qualified customers in its service territory. Customers can learn more about OG&E’s weatherization services by visiting www.oge.com or calling OG&E Customer Service at (800) 272-9741. OG&E, a subsidiary of Oklahoma City-based OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE: OGE), serves more than 780,000 electric customers in a service area spanning 30,000 square miles, including about 65,000 customers in western Arkansas. OGE Energy also is the parent company of Enogex LLC, a midstream natural gas pipeline business with principal operations in Oklahoma. A long-time advocate of affordable housing, the Urban League offers down payment assistance certification, home buyer education, and affordable housing development. Most recently, the agency completed construction of over $12 million of non-market rate multi-family housing units in northeast Oklahoma City. The Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City Inc., an affiliate of the National Urban League, is a non-profit, United Way agency partner established in Oklahoma City in 1946.  The League’s mission is to assist African Americans, other minorities and the poor to achieve social and economic equality.  Visit www.urbanleagueok.org for more information.