In 2011, Somerville launched a city-wide residential energy efficiency program aimed at a difficult-to reach demographic: middle income rental properties. Efforts to reduce residential energy consumption with its dense population required numerous alliances: utility leaders, a banking institution, and consultants worked closely together. Over 60% of Somerville households are occupied by tenants; renter/owner roadblocks were addressed. This presentation will examine municipality, utility and resident collaborations necessary to make such a program succeed.

This presentation will examine and discuss the collaborative relationships and practices required to make thisproject work: the renter/owner relationship, the municipality/resident relationship, the municipality/utility relationship. This session will focus mostly on what did not work and what to do differently next time. At the same time, it will highlight the innovative practices that worked as well.