<\/p>\n
Atmos Energy recently donated $50,000 to help Habitat for Humanity of Montezuma County build a more energy-efficient home.<\/p>\n
Specifically, the funds will be used to build the nonprofit\u2019s 2020 project, which will use clean-burning natural gas appliances and solar power, along with energy-efficient insulation and building materials.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is really meaningful to us. It really is a very generous donation,\u201d Habitat\u2019s executive director Molly Greenlee said at a check presentation ceremony Thursday afternoon. \u201cWe\u2019re excited about the partnershi, and just ready to build more affordable homes in Montezuma County with you guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
The house will join other Habitat projects along East 12th Street.<\/p>\n
In 2008, Habitat for Humanity of Montezuma County officially became an affiliate of the international nonprofit, which focuses on affordable housing construction. They have completed about two dozen exterior home repair projects throughout the county, and this October will finish their sixth home build<\/a>. Their current goal is to build one home a year.<\/p>\n Their seventh home build, slated for construction in 2020, will be the chapter\u2019s first home build project in partnership with Atmos. It\u2019s also their first to focus on energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve just been trying to get a little better each year with each house build,\u201d Greenlee said. \u201cEspecially now that we\u2019re doing new construction. And so we\u2019re looking to be more energy efficient, while maintaining that affordability for our homeowners.\u201d<\/p>\n Atmos Energy provides natural gas distribution services throughout the United States.<\/p>\n Although this is Atmos\u2019 first big partnership with the Montezuma County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, the company has donated services and supplies to the local group. Atmos has also collaborated with other Colorado Habitat branches, primarily in Weld County.<\/p>\n The two entities hope to continue the partnership.<\/p>\n \u201cAffordable housing starts with affordable energy,\u201d said Jennifer Altieri, vice president of public affairs for Atmos\u2019 Colorado\/Kansas division.<\/p>\n Right now, natural gas prices are at an all-time low, Altieri said, with Colorado customers paying on average about $49 per month.<\/p>\n \u201cI think adding solar to the mix is only going to make that even better,\u201d Altieri said, adding that this would be a sort of \u201ctest home\u201d for Atmos to see how the different energy sources work together.<\/p>\n According to Greenlee, about 40% of Montezuma County residents would qualify to apply for Habitat\u2019s homeownership program. Right now, monthly mortgage payments range from $525-$675 per month.<\/p>\n