Town of Kent Goes Green (Conn.)

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/story?cid=2950&id=53144

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) today announced that the town of Kent, Conn., has joined the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program. Town officials have signed a resolution declaring the town’s commitment to the goal of having at least 20% of its electricity for municipal facilities come from clean, renewable energy sources by the year 2010. Kent joins 81 other Connecticut municipalities that have made a commitment to a cleaner environment and greater energy independence.

“Kent residents have always been forward thinking when it comes to conservation and environmental issues,” said Ruth Epstein, first selectman of Kent. “I am very pleased that we have joined the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program. Our participation serves to further our acknowledgement of the importance of energy conservation.”

One resident, Karren Garrity, chair of the Kent Board of Education, has been particularly proactive in promoting clean energy within the community – reaching out to grade and middle school teachers, the town’s Board of Selectmen and the local newspaper to raise awareness and prompt action.

Kent’s commitment is a first step toward becoming a Connecticut Clean Energy Community. The town’s residents and businesses must now do their part by signing up for clean, renewable energy through the CTCleanEnergyOptions program, which is offered to all customers of CL&P and United Illuminating. Once Kent secures a threshold number of CTCleanEnergyOptions signups and makes a municipal clean energy purchase, the town would then become a Connecticut Clean Energy Community and qualify for an earned solar electric array from CCEF.

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[ensho]

1. kick

nt

[ElectricGrid]

2. great story.. too bad more states are not leaders like this.

[DCKit]

3. Not to be a complete ass, but they could knock out 20% right now...

with a low-key, inexpensive conservation effort. That 20% renewables would then be worth 25% of current energy use.

As someone who's seen the bills for a large condominium complex, that extra 5% is a pile of cash. <$3K of CFLs cuts our electric bill by $17K/19% over five months, and it took very little effort.