Her monthly energy bill went from $200 on average — sometimes a lot more — to $135. That drop includes her own efforts, after a primer from the city, to turn off lights and unplug everything when not in use. Now she's an "energy captain" in the Baltimore Energy Challenge, teaching others what she learned.

"I know a lot of people out there that's struggling to make it," Cooley said. "With the grace of God and my big mouth, I'm going to spread the word."

Inez Robb, an energy captain active in the Sandtown-Winchester area, is another enthusiastic preacher of energy conservation. Her bill dropped significantly after she followed the city's suggestions about installing a programmable thermostat, using compact florescent light bulbs, plugging appliances into power strips, insulating outlets and the like.

She likes to get hands-on in people's homes, pointing out energy-suckers.

"When you physically show them, they really get it," said Robb, a retired IT specialist.

Kennedy, with the city's Office of Sustainability, is animated about the opportunity to reach more people and intertwine education with everything else, from weatherization to tree-planting.

"We literally are changing the lives of residents in Baltimore City for the better," she said.

jhopkins@baltsun.com

twitter.com/jsmithhopkins

Energy help

Baltimore has a variety of intertwining programs to help people lower their energy costs. Where to call:

•For weatherization and lack-of-heat emergencies: 311

•For low-income residents seeking help paying utility bills: 410-396-5555

•For nonprofits and small businesses in need of energy-efficiency upgrades: 410-396-4360

•For residents and businesses looking for ways to reduce energy use through the Baltimore Energy Challenge: 410-927-6088

  • Text BUSINESS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun Business text alerts