Cheshire Public Schools Receive Power of Change Award for Energy Efficiency District honored with the Power of Change Innovation Award: Difference Maker for Innovation in Energy Efficiency

District honored with the Power of Change Innovation Award: Difference Maker for Innovation in Energy Efficiency The Cheshire Public School District was recognized for excellence in energy efficiency and presented with a Power of Change Innovation Award: Difference Maker at the first annual the Power of Change Awards. The Cheshire Public School District earned honorable mention for its outstanding achievements by state and energy leaders, including Governor Dannel P. Malloy; Daniel C. Esty, Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP); Stewart Hudson, President of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation; Sabina Shelby, Managing Trustee of the Hampshire Foundation; Mally Cox-Chapman, Philanthropy Advisor of the Common Sense Fund, and state legislative leaders and energy stakeholders. Pictured (left to right) Dan Marseglie, Manager of Buildings and Grounds; Greg Florio, Superintendent of Schools; Frank Biancur, Maintenance Foreman; Vincent Mascina, Director of Management Services and Daniel C. Esty, Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection were on hand to receive the award during a ceremony held today at the State Capitol. The Power of Change awards reinforce Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s Lead by Example program which calls for the win-win benefits of energy efficiency for Connecticut and its taxpayers. The winning municipal energy efficiency projects were celebrated as models for their energy-saving approaches and achievements in municipal buildings. The Innovation Award: Difference Maker recognizes new and effective ideas and approaches to achieve energy reduction through efficiency as well as proactive efforts that make a difference. The Cheshire Public School District earned this award for implementing several district-wide energy efficiency improvements and upgrades, such as replacing incandescent lighting in multiple locations with LED lighting and building a fully-operational solar energy classroom. Frank Biancur, Maintenance Foreman, initiated and spearheaded the energy savings projects for the District over the past two years. He is recognized for being an innovator in the area of energy efficiency and energy management, as well as for his aggressive efforts to complete a wide array of innovative initiatives that are helping the District reach its goal of reducing energy consumption by 50% this decade. Summing up the entire awards program, Stewart Hudson of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation noted “These ten Power of Change Award winners demonstrate Connecticut’s leadership and innovation in energy efficiency—they are prime examples of how our municipalities are taking an active role in advancing a clean energy economy. We created the Power of Change Award first as an opportunity to encourage more state and municipal leaders to make important investments in their future, and also as an occasion to give energy efficiency leaders their due recognition. We believe that it is vital to celebrate success in our towns and cities. The Power of Change Awards celebrate good government practices that protect human health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and in the process, help the Connecticut economy and save taxpayer dollars.” In presenting the award, Hudson also acknowledged and thanked the members of the 15-member committee of energy and conservation experts who judged the awards including: Alan Taylor, CT Board of Education; John Rathgeber, The Connecticut Business and Industry Association; Laurie Burt, former Commissioner for the Environment, Massachusetts; Bill Leahy, Eastern Connecticut State University; Bryan Garcia, Connecticut Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority; Mariella Puerto, Barr Foundation; KC Golden, Climate Solutions; Dudley Williams, GE Investments, and CT Science Center; Dr. Prabhakar Singh, UConn; Roger Smith, Clean Water Action, and Karen Brown, Fairfield County Community Foundation. About the Foundations The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation is a family foundation that is active in education and programs related to learning disabilities such as dyslexia; support for contemporary visual art and marketplace empowerment for artists; and climate protection and the promotion of clean energy at a state and regional level in America. More information can be found by visiting www.tremainefoundation.org. The Hampshire Foundation focuses on two initiatives: Peru Opportunity Fund and Lead by Example. More information is available by visiting www.hampshirefoundation.org. The Common Sense Fund promotes action both on the environment and in the arts that is practical, creative, and addresses social needs. More information is available by visiting www.commonsensefund.org. # # #