Rocky Hill, Conn., July 24, 2008 – 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.
“We salute the entire Kent community for its leadership and vision in supporting clean energy,” said Bob Wall, director, energy market initiatives for CCEF. “Thanks to this commitment, Connecticut is helping to create cleaner air and healthier communities, address climate change and build a vibrant sustainable economy.”
CCEF’s Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program is an award-winning initiative that challenges municipalities, faith communities, colleges and universities, businesses and residents to support clean energy. This program has been critical to the development of the voluntary clean energy market in Connecticut.
Other towns in northwestern Connecticut that are leading the way in supporting clean energy include Cornwall, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sherman and Washington.
For more information about the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program and CTCleanEnergyOptions, visit www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities/ccec.php.
About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers. CCEF’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut’s ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority. For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.
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