According to Legal Newsline, Mass. Attorney General Martha Coakley, "will give $56,755 in grant funds to six municipalities and eight non-profit organizations in an attempt to help customers lower their monthly energy bills." If divided evenly that would mean Northampton’s COA would receive about $4,000 to help educate the public regarding energy use. The article did not indicate how the funds could be used.
A March 2008 press release from Coakley indicated that the funds originated from a settlement paid by Spark Energy LP of Texas, which designated $55,000 to be used for consumer education. Spark denied any wrongdoing and as conditions of the settlement must refrain from misleading or deceptive marketing activities and refund $44,000 to about 900 customers.
"Those receiving grant money are: Town of Andover Elder Services; Auburn Council on Aging; Consumer Assistance Council of Hyannis; Climate Change Action Brookline; Community Action Agency of Somerville; Healthy Malden, Inc.; Housing Assistance Corporation of Hyannis; Eagle House Senior Center of Lunenberg; Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless of Lynn; Melrose Mass Television; Northern Berkshire Community Coalition of North Adams; Northampton Council on Aging and Senior Center; Shrewsbury Council on Aging; and Wenham Council on Aging."
