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Durham Takes Clean Energy Pledge

Through participation in energy-saving and renewable energy programs, the town can earn points towards rewards.

 

Durham’s First Selectwoman Laura L. Francis recently signed a pledge to recommit the town to the Clean Energy Communities program, an Energize Connecticut initiative that incentivizes Connecticut municipalities to improve energy efficiency and promote the use of clean and renewable energy.

Energize Connecticut helps homes and business save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority (CEFIA), the State, and local electric and gas utilities, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills.

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Since February 2008, Durham has been a statewide leader in promoting energy efficiency and clean energy use.  Under the expanded Clean Energy Communities program, Durham pledges to reduce its municipal building energy consumption 20 percent by 2018, and to voluntarily purchase 20 percent of its municipal electrical needs from clean, renewable sources by 2018.

“Both energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives offered through Energize Connecticut provide ways to help residents, businesses, and the Town of Durham save money, energy, and contribute to a healthier environment,” said First Selectwoman Francis. “We are committed to working with Clean Energy Communities program administrators to help educate our residents and businesses on the different programs available to them, and get them on the energy train.”

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Through participation in energy-saving and renewable energy programs, Durham can earn points towards rewards. For example, when residents or businesses in Durham install a clean energy system, enroll in the CTCleanEnergyOptionssmprogram, or sign up to receive a Home Energy Solutions assessment, they earn points for the town.

For every 100 points earned for renewable initiatives, Durham will earn a clean energy system equivalent to a 1 kW solar photovoltaic system. Earned systems could include a solar photovoltaic array, solar hot water system, solar trash compactor or solar-powered lights.

Durham has demonstrated leadership in clean energy through its participation and commitment in other CEFIA programs including Solarize Connecticut in which 117 Durham homeowners have signed contracts for solar photovoltaic systems and the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program, which provides long-term low-cost financing to commercial and industrial consumers for clean energy projects. The town of Durham earns points for their support of clean energy programs. 

Similarly, points are earned when residents, businesses or municipalities participate in energy efficiency programs, such as the Home Energy Solutionssm, Small Business Energy Advantage or Retro Commissioning programs, all of which are energy improvement services designed to help people or businesses use energy more efficiently and save money on their monthly energy bills.

For every 100 points earned through participation in energy efficiency programs, Durham will receive a “Bright Idea Grant” of $5,000 that can be used toward a community-selected energy-saving project, such as hiring an energy auditor to assess/benchmark municipal buildings or to leverage existing funds to make energy-saving improvements to a school.

“The task force is looking forward to helping educate the public concerning the benefits available to them through the Clean Energy Communities program and encouraging more local businesses and citizens to take advantage of energy-saving programs and clean energy investments,” shared Susan Michael, Chair of the Durham-Middlefield Clean Energy & Sustainability Task Force. “Our communities are progressive when it comes to clean energy, which is evident with Durham concluding its Solarize Connecticut program with over a megawatt of solar photovoltaic installations.”  

CL&P and CEFIA, the Clean Energy Communities program administrators, will work with the Middlefield-Durham Clean Energy Task Force to create a Municipal Action Plan (MAP) for the town that will guide them down an energy-saving path. 

Communities interested in renewable energy and energy efficiency that want to become a Clean Energy Community or recommit to the program, should visit www.energizect.com.  

A press release from Energize Connecticut


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