Portland Commits to Clean Energy Communities Program

Portland’s First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield 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 businesses save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority, the State, and local electric and gas utilities, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Under the expanded Clean Energy Communities program, Portland 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.

Since November 2004, Portland has been a statewide leader in promoting energy efficiency and clean energy use.  A longtime supporter of the Clean Energy Communities program, the town was the second in the state to become an original Clean Energy Community.

“We have an active Energy Task Force and a local population that is concerned about the health of our environment,” said First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield. “By recommitting to the new Clean Energy Communities program, we hope to add several energy efficiency measures to our already robust clean energy plan, and to continue to inform our residents and businesses about  the many ways that these programs can save them energy and money.”

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

For every 100 points earned for renewable initiatives, Portland will earn a clean energy system equivalent to a 1 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system. Since November 2004, Portland has earned 7 kilowatts (kW) in solar panels, 5 kW of which are installed at Valley View Elementary School.  These solar arrays were earned from 6.8percent of residents signing up for CTCleanEnergyOptions on their CL&P bill while the additional 5 kW for the 10 kW system were purchased by the town with a 50percent rebate from the Clean Energy Finance and Investment. The solar PV system has generated more than 48,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) since it was installed in the summer of 2008, saving the Town of Portland over $8,500 in electric costs.

Portland is one of four Connecticut towns selected to participate in Solarize Connecticut, a unique solar buying program for solar photovoltaic systems. The more Portland residents that participate, the lower the price comes down. To find out more about this initiative, please visit www.SolarizeCT/portland. Portland residents who elect to install solar PV on their homes help the town earn points toward even more clean energy systems. 

Similarly, points are earned when residents, businesses or municipalities participate in energy efficiency programs, such as the Home Energy Solutions, 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, Portland will receive a “Bright Idea Grant” for $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. With 118 energy efficiency points accumulated through August 2012, Portland has already earned its first Bright Idea Grant.

“There are many benefits to pursuing clean energy and energy efficiency including job creation, fewer emissions and lower fuel costs, to name a few. It makes sense to realize these benefits sooner rather than later,” said Andy Bauer, Chairman of the Portland Clean Energy Task Force.

CL&P and CEFIA, the Clean Energy Communities program administrators, will work with the Portland Clean Energy Task Force to help the town meet goals laid out in its Comprehensive Energy Plan. Portland’s plan aims to steer the town, including its schools toward energy efficiency and clean renewable energy through changes in technologies and through individual action and education.

Portland residents that are passionate about renewable energy, energy efficiency and the environment should email Andy Bauer at AndyTBauer@gmail.com or visit www.portlandct.com to join the Portland Clean Energy Task Force and to find out about their next meeting.

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

About Energize Connecticut

Energize Connecticut helps you save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority, the State, and your local electric and gas utilities, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy-saving programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.