Bristol may join "clean energy" push

Bristol may join the more than two dozen Connecticut municipalities committed to using clean energy in the years ahead.
Mayor Art Ward said the idea is “definitely worth pursuing” if it can help taxpayers and boost the environment at the same time.
The Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program aims to encourage towns and cities to get businesses and residents to sign up for clean power and shift at least 20 percent of the municipality’s own electricity to green sources of power by 2010.
Those that succeed get free solar panels that can be used to further reduce a community’s dependence on conventional electrical supplies.
[I'm waiting to see if any other city officials will comment on the idea today. Ward is the only elected official to speak up yet.]
Gov. Jodi Rell said the state is firmly behind the goal and intends to buy a fifth of its energy from clean sources by 2010.
“I believe that as people become familiar with the energy options that are available, more and more will decide to choose clean energy,” Rell said in a statement. “Connecticut has adopted an aggressive Climate Change Action Plan and we are a leader in addressing clean air and climate change issues.”
Though City Hall has lagged behind, there are already 121 Bristol residents – one in every 200 in town – who have signed up for clean energy options for themselves, which cost a bit more than Connecticut Light and Power’s service but come from renewable sources.
Bristol can join the statewide effort by formally committing itself to the goal of purchasing 20 percent of its power from clean sources by 2010.
It can become a Clean Energy community by getting more than 100 residents to sign up – something that’s already happened without a push from city government – and making a municipal purchase of clean energy.
A number of municipalities in the region are already Clean Energy communities, including New Britain and West Hartford. Ward said New Britain’s mayor has already expressed interest in talking with him about joining up as well.
Among Bristol’s neighbors, Burlington, Harwinton, Plainville, Southington are all considered SmartPower 20 Percent by 2010 communities. That means they’ve made a commitment to try to reach the goals, but haven’t met them yet.
Ward said he hasn’t ever seen any information about the program, but he’s interested in it.
“Anything we can do to conserve our energy resources should be done,” Ward said, particularly if it can also help taxpayers by getting free solar panels that add to the energy supply Bristol can use.
“It would behoove us to be proactive in this area,” Ward said.
The Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program, which oversees the initiative, is a partnership involving the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, SmartPower, Community Energy, Sterling Planet, the state Department of Public Utility Control, and the state Office of Consumer Counsel. The program provides Connecticut communities an opportunity to support clean energy alongside its local residents, businesses, and institutions.
For more information, check out the program’s website at www.ctinnovations.com.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com