From Poverty to Power in Pembroke

The Pembroke-Hopkins Park Energy Efficiency Pilot (PEEP) provides an alternative to fossil fuel infrastructure in rural Illinois by implementing energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in low-income homes. The project, led by the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke and Hopkins Park (CDC-PHP) in collaboration with RMI and other partners, replaces propane and wood heating with electric air source heat pumps and induction stoves while improving insulation. Early results show reduced energy bills and improved indoor comfort for participants. The project aims to serve as a transferable model for other disenfranchised rural communities across the United States by focusing on community trust and relatable examples of clean energy success.

• The PEEP project implemented home upgrades averaging $35,000 per household, which included air sealing, crawlspace and attic insulation, new hot water tanks, and electric air source heat pumps; some homes also received new windows, skylights, and induction stoves.
• Participants reported immediate improvements in home comfort and cost savings. One resident noted that her electric bills decreased from $60 or $70 a month to $45, while another who previously spent approximately $1,800 annually on propane now uses an electric heat pump for both heating and cooling.
• The project demonstrates that electrification can significantly reduce emissions; RMI estimates that air source heat pumps can reduce a home's emissions by up to 70 percent per unit of heat delivered, with further reductions possible when combined with insulation and appliance upgrades.
• Effective community engagement required a shift from direct mail campaigns to a "boots-on-the-ground" approach involving personal interactions to build trust in a community with a history of "undelivered projects and manipulation."
• The initiative is positioned as a model for other rural U.S. communities that lack gas infrastructure and rely on expensive, inefficient propane, proving that clean energy solutions are applicable to diverse housing types in disenfranchised areas.

APA

RMI (2022). From Poverty to Power in Pembroke. https://rmi.org/resources/from-poverty-to-power-in-pembroke/

Chicago

RMI. From Poverty to Power in Pembroke. 2022. https://rmi.org/resources/from-poverty-to-power-in-pembroke/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=From Poverty to Power in Pembroke |date=19 October 2022 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/from-poverty-to-power-in-pembroke/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2022from, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{From Poverty to Power in Pembroke}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2022}, month = oct, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/from-poverty-to-power-in-pembroke/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }