During the Board of Selectmans’ meeting on December 3, the Energy & Sustainability Committee presented information on the steps needed for Haddam to follow through on its September commitment to become a Clean Energy Community. In addition to needing a greater number of town residents to sign up as clean energy customers with CL&P, the town must commit to obtaining 9% of its electricity from non-polluting or renewable sources, including wind, solar, and/or small hydroelectric generation. The estimated initial cost to the town for taking this step is approximately $230.

 

First Selectman Tony Bondi asked for reasons why the town should take this step.

 

Committee members Mark Stephens and John Friedlander cited several reasons, including:

• Joining the forty other Connecticut towns which have already committed to making municipal clean energy purchases.

• Setting an example for town residents who are considering making a household commitment to clean energy purchases.

• Supporting RSD 17 by showing a similar commitment to more overall energy efficiency and lowering the town’s overall carbon footprint.

• Supporting the goal for greater energy efficiency stated in the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development.

• Reducing the town’s dependence on energy generated from polluting or foreign sources.

• Reducing the town’s dependence on energy generated from sources which may increase in price due to sudden political events.

 

The Board of Selectmen supported the intent to choose a specific clean energy supplier using the E&S recommendation as a guide, once the required documentation was available for examination.

 

Mark Stephens also made the point that for Haddam to benefit from all the features of the Clean Energy Community program, more town residents need to choose to purchase all or a portion of their electricity from clean sources. The easiest way for residents to take this step is to call Connecticut Light and Power at 860 947-2000 and ask for Clean Energy Options, or surf http://www.ctcleanenergyoptions.com/now.htm.

 

At the E&S Committee meeting on December 10, members Phil Devlin and Mark Stephens reported that, because of a last-minute flurry of communications triggered by an inquiry to E&S just before the deadline, RSD 17 was able to submit an application for a grant to install particulate filters on the busses operated by the district. The grant will completely pay for installation of the filters, which will reduce the hazard to our children and school personnel from diesel bus exhaust.

 

The Energy & Sustainability Committee meets at 7:00pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the University of Connecticut Middlesex County Extension Center at 1066 Saybrook Road. The committee’s goal as stated in the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development is “to promote efficiency and sustainable patterns of development, practices and operations of the Town and its residents.”