From Poverty to Power in Pembroke

This case study describes the Pembroke-Hopkins Park Energy Efficiency Pilot (PEEP), an initiative in rural Illinois designed to replace expensive and polluting heating sources like propane and wood with energy efficiency upgrades and electric appliances. Led by the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke and Hopkins Park (CDC-PHP) in collaboration with RMI and other partners, the project demonstrates a scalable model for rural energy transitions that prioritizes environmental justice over the installation of new fossil fuel infrastructure.

• The Pembroke-Hopkins Park Energy Efficiency Pilot (PEEP) provided four homes in Pembroke Township with an average of $35,000 in upgrades. These improvements included air sealing, crawlspace and attic insulation, new hot water tanks, electric air source heat pumps, and in some cases, new windows, skylights, and induction stoves.
• The pilot project resulted in immediate cost savings and improved comfort for participants. One resident reported that her electric bills decreased from $60 or $70 per month to $45, while also eliminating propane costs. Another resident, who previously spent approximately $1,800 annually on propane, gained the ability to cool her home during high humidity for the first time.
• The project serves as an alternative to proposed fossil fuel infrastructure, such as a gas pipeline proposed by the utility Nicor. RMI estimates that installing air source heat pumps can reduce a home's emissions by up to 70 percent per unit of heat delivered, and Rewiring America estimates that homes in Kankakee County could save up to $317 per year through electrification of space heating.
• The project highlighted the necessity of community-led outreach to overcome distrust caused by a history of "undelivered projects and manipulation." The program shifted from a failed direct mail campaign to a "boots-on-the-ground approach" involving door-to-door and business-to-business personal interaction.
• The CDC-PHP plans to expand the initiative through 'PEEP 2.0,' which will target homes that previously did not qualify due to excessive mold or high construction costs. This expansion will also include 'PEEP shows'—educational pop-ups to increase community awareness and training regarding the clean energy transition.

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} }