Stonington and North Stonington have joined the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program, an initiative that challenges municipalities, colleges and universities, and residents and businesses to support clean energy.
The towns join 81 other Connecticut municipalities (nearly half the state) that have made a commitment to greater energy independence and a cleaner environment. The program is and has been vital to the development of the voluntary clean energy market in Connecticut.
Connecticut communities are provided an opportunity to support clean renewable energy and earn free clean energy systems through the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program, which is a Connecticut Clean Energy Fund program.
To become a Connecticut Clean Energy Community, the community must commit to the 2010 Clean Energy Campaign. The campaign challenges municipalities to obtain at least 20 percent of their electricity for all municipal facilities from clean renewable energy sources by the year 2010.
By doing so, towns can qualify for a free clean energy system (solar photovoltaic or “PV”) from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.
North Stonington committed to using 20 percent clean energy by 2010 in December and currently has 61.5 participants, according to Bob Wall, director of energy market initiatives at the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.
“An April energy fair was very successful in garnering sign-ups,” he said. “It has already made a town clean energy purchase so would qualify as a Clean Energy Community once it reaches 100 sign-ups.”
Stonington joined on May 28 and currently has 221 customers (about 2.9 percent of households) who have become part of the clean energy
community.
“It has not yet made a municipal clean energy purchase, which is the final step in the process,” said Wall.
Stonington First Selectman Edward Haberek Jr. said a Clean Energy Advisory Task Force has been assembled.
“There’s a number of residents who have volunteered to be part of the task force. What we do is work with town staff, residents, local organizations, and businesses to implement an awareness program about the town’s commitment,” said Haberek.
Stonington is also in the process of raising awareness of CTCleanEnergyOptions.com, a Department of Public Utilities Control (DPUC) program that allows CL&P and UI customers the opportunity to support clean energy made from approved renewable resources. Many of the town department managers and the Board of Education are meeting with the task force to review what is currently being done as well as opportunities.
“Next, we’ll start to look at viable options that we can do for the town,” said the first selectman.
Haberek hopes to make a municipal clean energy purchase as soon as
possible.
“We’re investigating possible state and federal funding opportunities,” he noted.
Haberek has been working with the Sustainable Mystic Initiative, looking at various environmental energy options. The initiative, he explains, “is an ad hoc committee of various leaders in the Mystic area looking at environmental options.”
“It all started with the three students from Mystic Middle School who are such advocates for towns and regions getting involved in clean energy, they came to our Board of Selectmen meeting and provided the start for us to look at this,” said Haberek.
North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas H. Mullane II said the town signed on to the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program in order “to do everything we can to draw attention to the alternate energies and to promote the various programs that are available.”
Mullane said he hopes $50,000 to $100,000 will be spent annually on clean energy for each of the town buildings, and said the school is being looked at as well.
“We’re looking to go green as much as we can, to support the green efforts, and to try to reduce costs and make it cost effective for the town,” he said.
“We applaud the elected officials and clean energy advocates in Stonington and North Stonington for their leadership and vision. By supporting clean, renewable energy like solar and wind, these towns are helping to create cleaner air, healthier communities and a brighter economic future,” Wall stated.
Other towns in southeastern Connecticut that are leading the way in supporting clean energy include Essex, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Stonington.
For more information about the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program and CTCleanEnergyOptions, visit www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities/ccec.php.