Making An Energy Investment In Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

The town has more than $102,000 to invest in energy.

Portions of $6.7 million in federal stimulus funds will help a host of municipalities pay for energy efficient incentives.

“The town takes sustainable energy seriously,” said Public Works Director Fred Hurley.

First Selectman Pat Llodra notes that Newtown stands with “one foot in the present and one foot in the future,” regarding its green energy efforts. “We need to rally the community,” she said.

In Governor M. Jodi Rell’s recent press release she states, “Smart investments that municipalities make now will pay for themselves in the long run … it will give overburdened local taxpayers what they desperately need in this economy — relief.”

Roughly $20,000 of Newtown’s funds will be devoted to an “Energy Performance Contractor Support.” Among Newtown’s objectives is an energy consultant. “There are a lot of opportunities we can look at,” said Sustainable Energy Commission Chair Dan Holmes. Possibly Newtown can “start generating our own energy. We have got to do it.”

Regarding the added “technical support” that a consultant can offer, Mr Hurley this week pictured another party “to come audit and propose capital projects to reduce energy consumption in a building.” From there a new plan can address energy performance. “We need someone to focus on that,” he said. Through the consultant the town can identify energy conservation capital projects, improve building and operating efficiency, seek advantageous energy pricing, and more.

Roughly $67,000 — two-thirds of the money — will address street lighting. Proposed LED street light upgrades will both identify a vendor and convert a number of public street lights to LED. “We’ll see a substantial reduction in watts per lamp,” Mr Hurley said.

Another $15,000 of the funding is earmarked for a study to develop and implement a plan to convert the town’s automobile fleet to natural gas. The money will help determine feasibility to convert the fleet to natural gas.

With a Sustainable Energy Commission recently established Mr Hurley said, “Some people think it’s overreaching. I don’t agree.” Efforts cannot be fleeting, he stressed. “It takes long dedication to make a difference.” As much as 30 years ago he worked on similar plans “and the country forgot about it. Now, I hope it sticks.” He said, “There are certain things generations learn over and over and I think this is one of them.”

Mrs Llodra believes residents are motivated and with the Sustainable Energy Commission’s help, can readily take steps to bring renewable energy into their own homes. The commission is the “body of people that will move us forward.” They can help the town make “effective decisions in the short-term and keep us focused on opportunities.”

The town ought to also look long-term, she said. “Where can we go?” As far as Newtown’s ability to earn points for residences that sign up for renewable energy purchase — a move that requires nothing more than a phone call — Mrs Llodra said, “We could fill the roof with solar panels at Reed Intermediate School.” Panels are awarded through the state’s incentive program; several are currently installed on the Reed roof thanks to past municipal efforts.

Residents are inclined to support the town’s green push. “I think people are responsible stewards.” Provided the chance and the opportunity, she said, residents will “contribute to that effort.”

Mrs Llodra has spoken with the Sustainable Energy Commission and the schools and is ready to look ahead. “I want to look long-term; where can we go?” The town should be “exploring.”