With all the talk about clean energy coming from the new administration in Washington, it may be easy to overlook the significant progress that many local communities have already made.  The Connecticut Clean Energy Communities program, of which Community Energy is a partner, is an excellent example and was recently recognized as such. 

In January, the program received the State Leadership in Clean Energy award from the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) at the National Press Club in Washington DC.  CESA established the awards to “recognize state programs that are most effectively accelerating adoption of clean energy technologies and advancing clean energy markets”.

To date, 88 communities in Connecticut (more than half of the state’s 169 cities and towns) have committed to obtain 20% clean electricity by 2010.  When a Connecticut town makes the 20% by 2010 commitment and makes a clean energy purchase toward that goal, that town is then qualified to receive a free 1 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on a public building (courtesy of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund) for every 100 residents who enroll in the voluntary CTCleanEnergyOptions program.  So far, more than 22,000 electricity customers have enrolled in the CTCleanEnergyOptions program statewide and towns have earned collectively a total of 190 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic systems.

As noted by Connecticut Clean Energy Fund chairman Timothy Bowles, “The response at the local community level to the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program has been extraordinary.  In these difficult times, it is heartening to see that local residents and their town leaders understand the role renewable energy can play as a core attribute in providing both energy and jobs for the future. By developing a robust statewide voluntary market for clean energy at the local level, we can provide further momentum for creating ‘green jobs’ while lessening our dependence on imported energy.” 

The accomplishments of a couple of Community Energy’s partners stand out.  The Town of Cornwall, CT, recently achieved 30% voluntary participation of its residents in the CTCleanEnergyOptions program, perhaps one of the highest participation rates of any community in the country.  The Town of Newtown, CT, recently made a wind energy purchase equivalent to 35% of its annual electricity usage, far exceeding it’s commitment to 20% by 2010.

As clean energy policy gains momentum at the national level, these local initiatives can serve as the building blocks for a sustainable clean energy future. 

More updates to come as we approach 2010!