News from the Oklahoma Corporation
Commission
Phone: (405)
521-4180, FAX: (405) 522-1623, www.occ.state.ok.us
September 28,
2001
(Oklahoma
City) Calling her “an outstanding example of a public official that truly cares
for Oklahoma’s poor,” the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies
(OACAA) has presented Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chairman Denise Bode with
the Association’s State Official of the Year Award.
“It
is truly an honor to be recognized by those who work so diligently to improve
the lives of the less advantaged in our great state,” said Bode. “I feel
strongly that with the challenges many of our fellow Oklahomans face, it’s
important that we work together toward a brighter future for all.”
Chairman
Bode was recognized for her leadership role in organizing a statewide summit on
weatherization. She brought together a coalition of utilities, energy producers,
government, and the public to form a cooperative effort aimed at lowering the
utility bills of low-income people thorough the weatherization program.
Using
her background as a tax attorney, Chairman Bode also publicized a little-known
state law allowing a tax credit to all those who contribute to the
weatherization program. She has worked to promote this tax credit to potential
contributors in order to allow the program the needed capital to grow.
Chairman
Bode has also lobbied both federal and state governments for more funding for
such programs, as well as for programs such as LIHEAP that help low income
Oklahomans pay their utility bills.
-occ-
All OCC news releases and advisories are available on the OCC web site
www.occ.state.ok.us