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3/25/2014 - Waterbury Receives $15,000 Grant For Energy-Saving Project

 

City Recognized at State Capitol for Participation in Statewide Clean Energy Communities Program and Commitment to Energy Efficiency

Waterbury was among twenty-three Connecticut municipalities recognized yesterday during a ceremony at the State Capitol for its participation in the statewide Clean Energy Communities program, an Energize Connecticut initiative that incentivizes cities and towns to support energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The city of Waterbury earned a $15,000 “Bright Idea Grant” through the program.  Bright Idea Grants awarded range from $5,000 to $15,000 and can be used toward a community selected energy saving project.

“We’re thrilled that Waterbury has been recognized for its commitment to energy efficiency,” said Mayor O’Leary.  “We helped people of all income levels save money through increased energy efficiency, which also increases the level of comfort in their homes and has tremendous environmental benefits.”

Program administrators worked with city officials to establish a local Clean Energy Task Force and aid them in developing a plan of action to reduce overall energy consumption, support renewable energy, and earn rewards for their efforts.  Workshops were held throughout the city to educate residents and businesses on available energy-saving and renewable energy programs that can help them earn points for their community.

City of Waterbury Finance Director Michael LeBlanc, co-chairman of the city’s Clean Energy Task Force, attended the ceremony to accept the award presented by the Clean Energy Communities Program.

Waterbury signed a pledge to reduce municipal building energy consumption by 20 percent by 2018, and to attain 20 percent of municipal electricity from renewable sources by 2018. Through community-wide participation in energy-saving and renewable energy programs, including resident and business participation, Waterbury receives points toward rewards. For every 100 points earned, the city is eligible to receive a Bright Idea Grant. Similarly, for every 100 points earned through participation in renewable initiatives, the city can receive a renewable energy system equivalent to a one kilowatt solar photovoltaic system

The participating cities and towns have collectively saved more than 277 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 2.8 million Ccf (one Ccf = 100 cubic feet) of natural gas through their energy efficiency efforts. Those savings are equivalent to the amount of power 33,000 homes would typically consume in one year, and result in avoided emissions of approximately 152,500 tons of CO2, which is the equivalent of taking 26,500 cars off Connecticut’s roads for a year.

The following Connecticut municipalities were recognized for earning a Bright Idea Grant during the March 24, 2014 ceremony at the State Capitol in Hartford:

$5,000: Ashford, Bridgewater, Chester, Coventry, Derby, Goshen, Litchfield, Old Saybrook, Sharon and Thomaston

$10,000: Brookfield, Cheshire, Rocky Hill, Suffield, Watertown, Windham and Wolcott

$15,000: Bristol, New Britain, New Haven, Shelton, Waterbury and West Haven

 

Pictured left to right: Sen. Joe Markley; City of Waterbury Finance Director Michael LeBlanc, co-chairman of Waterbury’s Clean Energy Task Force; Rep. Victor Cuevas; DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee; and Tilak Subrahmanian, Vice President of Energy Efficiency at Northeast Utilities.