State Recognizes Town’s ‘Green’ Efforts

By Kendra Bobowick

Newtown’s “green” efforts have not gone unnoticed since former first selectman Herb Rosenthal appointed a Clean Energy Task Force in 2007. This week the town’s electricity savings initiatives earned recognition from the state’s Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) for its contribution to electricity savings statewide.

Regarding businesses and, in this case, a town government specifically, DPUC Spokeswoman Beryl Lyons explained, “These are people who have made investments somehow — light bulbs, or how they run equipment — and signed up and saved an amount of electricity.” Newtown saved somewhere between 10 and 20 percent in kilowatt hours last summer, Ms Lyons confirmed.

Newly elected First Selectman Joe Borst also supports clean energy efforts and will continued the 20 percent by 2010 goal. With the town leadership in mind, Clean Energy Task Force Chairman Dan Holmes said, “This shows good sound leadership, and as a town we should be recognized.”

Newtown’s investments are clear. Task force members have made strong efforts to raise the public’s awareness about energy use, renewable power sources, and most recently selected an alternative energy provider for the town per the state’s initiative for municipalities to purchase at least 20 percent of power through renewable resources by 2010.

In late March they selected Community Energy as an alternate energy provider. Members will recommend to selectmen and finance board members that the town opt to purchase not just 20 percent of its power through renewable sources by 2010, but 26 percent.

Mr Holmes is ambitious. In an e-mail he stated, “I do hope that the Board of Selectmen will opt to support the energy task force’s recommendation to fund the 26 percent alternative energy purchase for municipal buildings in this current year…this will show the surrounding towns that our leadership is at the forefront and set a good example for other municipalities. By electing to set a higher standard in our smart choices for energy purchase and consumption…and by continuing in the other conservation efforts many in this town have been working on for many years, we will continue to be recognized as a town which makes wise choices for our future.”

The recognition ceremony is nothing new. “It’s been going on for years,” Ms Lyons said. The DPUC is able to track utility use and promotes the electricity savings recognition as an incentive.