NEUAC Annual Awards
During the Annual Conference, NEUAC honors the outstanding efforts of members and partners advancing energy assistance for those in need. The Extra Mile Award, presented during LIHEAP Action Day, recognizes a member of Congress who has been a dedicated champion of LIHEAP.
Sister Pat Kelley Achievement Award
John Rich
Mid America Assistance Coalition
About the award:
The Sister Pat Kelley Achievement Award recognizes a person with exemplary achievement in furthering the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition’s (NEUAC) objectives of increasing public awareness of access issues related to heating and cooling, advancing energy assistance policy, and promoting charitable energy assistance. Sister Pat Kelley was a nun based in St. Louis, Missouri, with the Sisters of Charity order. She founded the national effort to advocate for vulnerable households for energy assistance. After the summer of 1980 when hundreds of vulnerable citizens died during a terrible midwest heatwave, Sister Pat Kelley started an organization, Missouri EnergyCare, that would eventually become the National Fuel Funds Network and later NEUAC, with a mission to advocate for energy assistance.
Corporate Excellence Award
NW Natural
About the award:
Corporate Excellence Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a company or corporate entity on behalf of its economically challenged customers. Utilities or other corporate partners may be nominated who demonstrate innovative practices, outstanding community partnership, or impressive depth of programming that is effectively and uniquely serving historically underserved communities and building longstanding equitable energy practices.
Victorine Q. Adams Award
Merced County Community Action Agency
About the award:
The Victorine Q. Adams Award spotlights institutional innovation and achievement among non-profit NEUAC members. NEUAC presents the Victorine Q. Adams Award to a nonprofit organization that displays an innovative spirit towards raising public awareness and generating financial aid for people in need of energy assistance. Victorine Q. Adams was a woman of distinction; a public leader and testament to good will who founded one of the nation’s first fuel fund programs in Baltimore, Maryland. With grace and compassion, the late Mrs. Adams dedicated her life to bringing about energy justice and change for the betterment of her community. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are from a marginalized or underrepresented group.
Extra Mile Award
Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia
Senator Shelley Moore Capito advocates for LIHEAP by consistently supporting and advancing federal funding for the program through her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, helping secure millions of dollars in energy assistance for low-income households. She emphasizes LIHEAP as a critical lifeline that helps families afford heating and cooling, prevent utility shutoffs, and manage rising energy costs, and has worked to ensure West Virginia receives its share of funding to support vulnerable residents.
About the award:
The Extra Mile Award is presented during LIHEAP Action Day to a Member of Congress in appreciation for efforts to champion LIHEAP and make a difference for limited-income energy consumers.