Diplomas In Hand, Climate-Conscious Contractor Corps Ready To Build Green

As nations dither and the planet bakes, New Haven is getting ahead of the curve on preparing contractors in green construction and environmentally responsive design.

That work was on display at the Hall of Records at 200 Orange St. Monday afternoon, as 12 contractors received diplomas from Mayor Justin Elicker on a ​“Climate Conscience” program.

The small contractors attended five seminars on sustainable construction methods with greener insulation and energy-efficient carbon monoxide detectors.

The program was created by New Haven Economic Development Administrator Mike Piscitelli, Small Contractor Development Program Coordinator Lil Snyder, and New Haven Regional Contractors Alliance’s A. Walter Esdaile (a former city development administrator). The goal is to give small business contractors a jump start on the eco-friendly certification process contractors will need to complete for bids in the city.

Designed by the Earth Forward Group, the program was created to help small-business contractors transition to a sustainable building process and learn about the causes and impacts of a changing climate on buildings and the benefits of green codes and standards, such as government LEED ratings. This program was specifically created for small contractors so that they can better compete for bids on larger construction contracts in the city. 

“Unsustainable building is not good for our future. It’s not good for our environment,” said Elicker. ​“So the work you all are learning will help us get through this crisis, because all of you are the lifeblood of our city.” 

This five-event seminar was taught by Sonia Cruz, who recently retired from working for a home energy services company. She was approached by the Earth Forward Group to design a curriculum that was based upon her own experiences and sustainable building practices. 

“The biggest takeaway for everyone involved is how to identify environmentally hazardous and harmful situations and deal with them in a sustainable manner that is good for our plant and environment,” said Cruz. 

Most of the 12 certificate recipients learned about the program through Snyder and city outreach to small contractors.

“I heard about this program from Lil, and I wanted to jump on it, because about 20 years ago there was an EPA [federal Environmental Protection Agency] certification program that I did before it became mainstream. Then it became required for everyone, so having this certification climate will help me get better business in the city,” said Wesley Oliver, owner of Oliver Painting and Construction.

Two of Oliver’s employees also got their certificates Monday.

Lee-Ann Petruzzelli and Salvatore McClain both attended the program because they wanted to diversify their skill sets, they said.

“We want to be on the cutting edge of this work, because this is where the world is going, and it’s better to get a head start and have the skills and knowledge before it goes mainstream,” said Petruzzelli.

The city plans to host another set of seminars in the fall for people to get certified. Piscitelli said he expects the program to become a norm for bids in the city.

The next phase of the climate conscious certification program will involve carbon-zero training for contractors as well as more efficient building performance.