Native Son Wins GreenCircle Award

Dennis Clark, part of Haddam's founding Clark Family, was among more than two dozen people, businesses and organizations who received a state environmental award Friday during ceremonies in Hartford.

Clark was given the GreenCircle Award by Daniel C. Esty, commissioner of the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection during the morning ceremony.

Clark, who lives in Rocky Hill, was honored for energy and plant conservation efforts he undertook at his home in the last year.

The GreenCircle Awards are given annually and recognizes individuals, nonprofits, civic groups and businesses that undertake efforts aimed at energy conservation, transportation, pollution prevention, conservation and overall environmental awareness.

Since it was established in 1998 the program about 1,000 entities have been recognized for 1,425 projects that the DEEP says has made a difference in preserving natural resources and protecting the quality of the state’s air, water and lands.

About 75 people gathered at the DEEP’s Hartford headquarters Friday for the annual awards ceremony.

“We know very much in this department that the (environmental) agenda is big and broad and we can’t do it alone, so I’m very appreciative to those who are helping us move the ball down the field,” Esty told the participants. “We are really grateful of that sweep of support that we get. Cumulatively, it makes an enormous difference for the environment here in Connecticut.”

Clark was selected because he reduced the annual energy and water consumption rates on his dwelling by replacing all incandescent bulbs and using a clothesline to dry his clothes instead of his home’s dryer.  As a result, his electricity consumption went from 2,721 kilowatts in the first five months of 2010 to 1,646 in the first five months in 2011. 

He also reduced the number of weekly wash loads and installed a showerhead to minimize water consumption.  His water usage went from 18 cubic meters in first quarter of 2010 down to 10 cubic meters of water in 2011.