To the Editor:

Connecticut's innovative Green Bank program, a public/private partnership that arranges long-term low interest loans for green projects, has created $1 billion in clean energy and investments. And that's not all; it has also created about 13,000 jobs since 2011.

Over 20,000 green energy projects have been started, including right here in Newtown with several companies like Curtis Packaging, and with 130 completed residential solar projects. That is an amazing achievement, and it happened under Democratic leadership. Our governor takes a lot of criticism, but this was his effort; it's an outstanding example of innovation. Four other states and one county have followed our example and have developed Green Bank programs of their own.

Connecticut Green Bank is considered both the first of its kind and the most successfully financed. Private investment is six dollars to every dollar contributed by the state. It was awarded Harvard's 2017 Innovations in American Government Award by The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Congratulations, Connecticut!

Betsy Litt

86 Great Hill Road, Newtown         May 2, 2018