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Regional Effort to Conserve Energy Gets Moving

by Diana Stricker | Jan 12, 2010 6:10 pm

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Six shoreline communities are getting energized about regional coalitions. In fact, they are applying for a grant to hire a regional energy manager to serve Branford, Guilford, Madison, Westbrook, Durham and Killingworth.

By banding together, the communities are hoping to conserve energy and save money.

“I love the concept of regionalization,” said Branford First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos at a meeting last week. “The money savings is important, but the environmental impact could be major.”

Shoreline leaders have been meeting over the past two years to discuss ways to solve problems regionally. DaRos said that energy issues seemed to be the most logical starting point.

The towns are applying for $300,000 in federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money, administered through the state, would be a Supplemental Regional Bonus Pool Energy Conservation Grant.

“I applaud the regional approach,” said State Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, during an interview. “I think it’s an excellent idea.”

The stimulus funds are available on a competitive basis for towns that form regional partnerships to promote energy conservation. Since Connecticut stipulates that one town must take a leadership role, the proposed consortium has designated Madison as the leader.

“It’s a win-win situation for all of us involved,” said David Simon of Madison’ Energy Committee. Simon addressed Branford’s Board of Selectmen last week when the regional program was discussed.

“Our potential for success is very high,” Simon said. He estimated that Madison could save from $70,000 to $100,000 a year through the regional effort and the professional manager, and that Branford could probably double that amount.

Each community would have a representative to a regional energy board and each town would choose the type of project that best meets their needs. The role of the regional energy manager would be to find energy-saving proposals and to keep abreast of new incentive programs. 

“The common information base will help all of us,” Simon said in regard to the regional manager.

Chris Sullivan, a member of the Representative Town Meeting and a former chair of the local Clean Energy Task Force, has been meeting with Simon regarding the regional project. Sullivan said the application was submitted the day after Branford agreed to come on board. He anticipates the state will make decisions about the grants this spring.

Sullivan said having a regional manager would enable the towns to share resources and information. “You can learn from what other municipalities are doing,” he said. “The program could help cut down our energy usage and save money.”

“I think it’s a worthwhile program,” DaRos said, adding that none of the towns could individually afford to hire a full-time manager.

Third Selectman John Opie, who has traditionally favored regional approaches, said he was uncertain about the need for a regional manager.

“I’m going to go along with this, but I’m skeptical,” Opie said, adding that perhaps the work could be handled in-house.

“It’s a grant,” Simon said. “It’s free money.”

“It’s not free money,” Opie said. “It comes out of all of our pockets.”

Second Selectman Francis Walsh said it is important to have a professional on board, since the energy boards in most towns are comprised of volunteers.

In the end, the motion to join the regional effort to apply for the grant passed by a unanimous vote of the three selectmen.

“We’re really excited to be working with Branford,” Simon said, noting that Branford has already instituted several innovative programs.

Branford High School installed a tri-generation heating and cooling system about two years ago, and installed solar panels on the school’s roof last summer.

DaRos discussed Branford’s leadership efforts in energy conservation during an energy symposium last month at the Blackstone Memorial Library.  About 55 local and state officials attended the meeting, including Rep. Reed; and State Sen. Ed Meyer.

Reed, who is a member of the House’s energy and technology committee, reported on the status of legislation during the symposium. She said a new bi-partisan solar bill that passed the House 140-0 is stalled because it was never taken up at the Senate. “We are in a frozen state for the last couple sessions over this,” Reed said.

State Sen. Ed Meyer Meyer said personality conflicts in the legislature have stalled efforts to create an energy department at the state level. “We are working on it,” he said.

Branford’s Clean Energy Task Force  has been instrumental in many local projects, but ironically, the board is currently suffering from a loss of man-power. There are five vacancies on the nine-member board. The openings occurred when two members moved out of town, and others stepped down because of time and business constraints.

Anyone interested in serving on Branford’s Clean Energy Task Force may send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen at Town Hall,1019 Main Street, Branford, CT.06405..

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Comments

posted by: Gilbert Kelman on January 13, 2010  10:34am

Now Branford has a NEWS PAPER of its own,Great Mast Head

posted by: Lindsay Mathews on January 15, 2010  6:13pm

Sorry, but the size of the font for this publication comes through (I have a Mac) too small to read.

Is there anything that can be done about it?

If so, I’d like to know.  Thanks!

L. Mathews

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