Weatherization, Community Action Remember Advocate Dave Rinebolt

Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director at Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE), former Weatherization Assistance Program Manager at US DOE, and lifelong energy affordability and accessibility advocate passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 1st. A fixture at conferences for decades, he will be missed by many in the Weatherization world. 

"Dave's ability to navigate the challenges of energy policy and politics at the local, state and national levels changed peoples' lives for the better in this country," stated Denise Harlow, NCAP CEO.  "He spoke truth to power at all levels and kept family well-being and security at the forefront of his efforts.  We will miss him dearly and hope we can strive to meet the example he set."
 
David Bradley recalled, "Dave was so important to me and to the National Community Action Foundation.  Over two decades, he stepped up over and over again using his legal acumen to help us craft legislative and regulatory initiatives for Community Action energy programs."

Cynthia Zwick, Executive Director at Wildfire, Arizona, said, "Dave always took the time to explain the intricacies of the policy work, tirelessly pursuing outcomes to benefit our customers. He did all of this with kindness, an amazing sense of humor...sometimes while playing the drums!"

"Dave's legacy is immense", explained Dr. Meg Power. "When energy suppliers were harming low-income consumers in Ohio, OPAE created their own gas supply entity to sell it cheaper." When Ohio's groundbreaking Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) was foundering, she went on, "Dave is the one who figured out how to fix it." To hear some of Dave's recent presentations, visit the OPAE You Tube Channel. 

In earlier years Dave worked with the Bureau of Land Management and the National Wood Energy Association. Outside of work, he was a loving father, a gardener and sailor, and a talented musician.  He also served on the The Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) for 8 years and was a strong advocate for community mental health services. 

Memorials may be made to support causes Dave cared about: 

OPAE
Dave Rinebolt Memorial Fellowship
PO Box 1793
Findlay, OH 45839-1793
In support of continuing education for attorneys in his field.

Hancock County ADAMHS
438 Carnahan Ave.
Findlay, OH 45840
In support of mental health initiatives. 
The Weatherization Leveraged Partnerships Project is funded by the Department of Energy to offer training and assistance to WAP network organizations in designing private partnerships and programs that leverage the WAP.
This publication was created by the National Association of Community Action Agencies - Community Action Partnership, in the performance of the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grant Number, EE0008790. Any opinion, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
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