Cheshire Business Honored for Energy Efficiency

Whetstone Holding Inc., in Cheshire was recently recognized by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for its commitment to reducing its energy consumption and air pollution during summer 2013. The company, which operates Cheshire Wine and Spirits, is one of eleven organizations statewide to receive a “Summer Saver” award at the State Capitol. In addition to remarks from DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee, Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) Vice Chairman Jack Betkoski served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Whetstone Holding received a Summer Saver Gold Award, given to organizations or businesses that reduced electricity consumption and demand by more than 20 percent from May through September 2014. Working with experts from Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) to implement several Energize Connecticut energy-saving programs, the company reduced energy demand by 21 percent or approximately seven kilowatts and reduced energy consumption by 28 percent or more than 13,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

“The combined efforts of the 11 Summer Savers Awardees resulted in energy savings in kilowatt hours, peak electricity demand and in carbon emissions,” said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee. “Efficiency efforts are of special significance in summer months when reducing peak demand can help reduce the cost of power and when reducing emissions from power plants helps prevent pollution that contributes to smog and climate change.”

The energy efficiency measures implemented by Whetstone Holding include a lighting retrofit inside the store in addition to the installation of new, more energy efficient cooling devices.

To find out more about programs that help organizations like Whetstone Holding Inc., save energy and money, please visit http://energizect.com/government-municipalities/programs/connecticut-summer-savers-awards.