Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
APRIL 10 SOLAR HOUSE TOUR IN NEW HARTFORD
Sponsored by PACE and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
A low-budget solar house in New Hartford, built with cost-efficient financing, will be open for viewing by the public on April 10 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by People's Action for Clean Energy (PACE) and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), the house tour will be held rain or shine. Vendors and homeowners will be present to answer questions about clean energy, affordable green lifestyles and CCEF programs.
This zero energy challenge (www.ctzeroenergychallenge.com) home has a 7.6 kilowatt grid-tied, roof-mounted photovoltaic system leased through the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Leasing Program. Among the unique energy conservation systems are the home's box design with open floor plan, a cupola to release summer heat, a three-foot thick sand earth-box heat sink, radiant floor heating and a waterless urinal.
Solar hot water is supplemented with back-up water heating using a small propane on-demand Takagi. Ecological building products on display include structural insulated panels, bamboo floors and salvaged wood, doors and cabinetry.
Low-e windows, Hardie Panel vertical cement siding, motion sensor lights, Energy Star appliances, interior no-VOC paint and energy-efficient lighting also attest to the homeowners' commitment to energy conservation and a healthy environment.
Non-refundable tickets for the April 10 tour may be ordered by sending $15 per person to PACE c/o Donna Grant, 128 Melrose Road, Broadbrook, CT 06016.
Tickets may also be ordered online at www.pace-cleanenergy.org by clicking on Events. Tickets, including a map, will be sent to ticket holders. For ticket information, call 860.623.5487. For tour information, call 860.693.4813 or go to www.pace-cleanenergy.org.
Monday, March 16, 2009
West Hartford Seeks Savings With New Energy Plan - courant.com
“T
his isn't about dimming the lights. Well, it is —but the energy plan passed last week by the town council seeks to go a lot further — millions of dollars in savings further. The broad conservation scheme, backed by a task force of volunteers, will chase large reductions in energy bills for every town building and structure, outdoor fixture and vehicle. Right now, the town's energy bill is more than $16 million a year.
Here's an example of how the 40-page plan, available on the town's website, lays out a problem and incremental solutions:
The gasoline tab for the town's 300 vehicles was $670,000 last year. The plan is to reduce fuel usage by about 5 percent this year and next ($68,000 in savings) and by 10 percent in 2011. The goal, said council member Tim Brennan, is for new vehicles to have better gas mileage than those they replace…” Read more
Check out the town's new Energy Plan here.
"Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world. In fact it’s the only way it ever has." – Margaret Mead
Friday, January 16, 2009
Gas Tax Hike, Tolls Needed Urgently | Hartford Business
A robust transportation system fuels economic growth, and a sustainable funding source drives a robust system. Imagine a Connecticut that maintains its highways and bridges on schedule, provides an integrated system of buses, ferries and trains, and leverages its infrastructure to make it easier for residents to commute to and from work, shopping and recreation... > more
Earned Solar Installations Completed at West Hartford High Schools
Rocky Hill, Conn., January 15, 2009 — The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) today announced the completion of two solar photovoltaic (PV) installations earned by the town of West Hartford under CCEF’s Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program. One of the installations is located at Conard High School and the other at Hall High School. Both solar arrays are 3 kilowatts (kWs) in size.
“I am proud of the continued commitment of West Hartford residents to pursue clean energy options,” said Mayor Scott Slifka. “By installing the new solar arrays at our high schools, we look forward to educating the next generation of consumers about the importance of clean energy as well as realizing savings for our taxpayers.”
West Hartford earned the two solar arrays, as well as a third, 3-kW solar array installed in 2006 at West Hartford Town Hall, by achieving a number of clean energy support milestones. In 2005 the town made the commitment to purchase 20 percent clean energy for its municipal facilities by the year 2010. It also secured its first 100 clean energy customers under the CTCleanEnergyOptionsSM program and made a municipal clean energy purchase, earning the designation of Connecticut Clean Energy Community.
West Hartford earned 2 kW of solar PV from CCEF for its first 100 signups and subsequently earned additional kilowatts of solar PV by securing more clean energy customers – utilizing a grant from CCEF to implement community-based clean energy awareness-raising projects and participating in a signup challenge with New Haven. West Hartford now boasts an impressive 919.5 clean energy signups, the second highest in the state behind New Haven.
“West Hartford continues to be a shining star in promoting clean energy in Connecticut,” said Bob Wall, director, energy market initiatives for CCEF. “The town has earned a total of 12 kW of solar PV through our Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program and so will be adding even more solar panels to one of its buildings.” Wall added, “We applaud West Hartford for its leadership. Its citizens can take pride in knowing that their actions will benefit Connecticut ratepayers for years to come.”
West Hartford is one of 38 Connecticut Clean Energy Communities in Connecticut and one of 88 communities statewide that have made the commitment to 20 percent clean energy by 2010.
About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers. CCEF’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut’s ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hall and Conard Didn't Even Enter?
In an effort to inspire future generations to use energy more wisely and be more environmentally conscious, CL&P has put up $20,000 for its "Live Green - Win Green" contest for high school students in its service areas. Seventeen schools applied, but it doesn’t appear that West Hartford’s Hall or Conard are one of them. That’s unfortunate and surprising.
Contestants were to produce a 2-minute video showcasing the changes they and their fellow students are making to conserve energy or make their school more environmentally friendly. Contestants are also required to submit an essay explaining how their school would use the grant to make even greater changes.
For more information, visit Live Green – Win Green at http://www.clpenergyinfo.com/lgwg/ and the video gallery there.
Tues Dec 9 Last Day for WHPS to Apply for NEW Funding to Retrofit Diesel School Buses
In 2007 the state legislature created a school bus clean-up program with over $8 million in funding currently available. DEP just received $500,000 in federal matching funds, and combined with the state funding, a number of communities can retrofit school buses at no cost.
DEP sent letters just before Thanksgiving to inform towns of the availability of state and Federal grants to install pollution controls on diesel school buses.
All expressions of interest and forms should be directed to Dr. Ellen Pierce of the DEP at Ellen.pierce@ct.gov.
See Deadline to apply for school bus retrofits funding is Tuesday - NewsTimes.com
