Islander Hilary Emmer’s home is only nine years old, and as such needs no weatherization updates. But the self-described “community-minded” go-getter pushed Puget Sound Energy (PSE) anyway, in the names of those with single-paned windows and leaky floorboards. At first, the energy company said their weatherization rebate program was not open to Island residents, since no insulation specialists would trek to Vashon for just one job.

But Emmer insisted that a program open to all PSE customers should be offered on Vashon, and she did the footwork to make that a reality. She is coordinating a Jan. 23 weatherization summit of sorts, at which PSE representatives, King County Housing Authority employees and several contractors can network with residents interested in weatherizing their homes.

Hopefully, enough Islanders will be interested in the program, ensuring contractors’ schedules are full. PSE officials said contractors can perform two weatherization jobs in a day, making the ferry fare for a day’s work seem less significant.

Without Emmer’s tenacity and follow-through, Islanders would have had to pay full price for energy-efficient retrofits that benefit the for-profit energy agency as well as the consumer. But for the first time this year, Vashon residents can brace themselves against winter, without spending as much to do so.