Task Force Pushes To Green Town’s Future

By Kendra Bobowick

They want to set the standard.

“It would be wonderful to be at the forefront,” said Newtown’s Clean Energy Task Force Chairman Dan Holmes.

In fact, they could be. The recently established group made a decision Thursday, March 27, during a special meeting when they selected a clean energy provider for the municipality — Community Energy. They also will recommend to selectmen and finance board members that the town opt to purchase not just 20 percent of its power through renewable sources by 2010 per the state’s initiative, but to shoot higher than that. They want 26 percent.

With some quick research midmeeting, task force member Kathleen Quinn told others last week that she has an unconfirmed statistic that Cornwall is aiming for 25 percent. The number nudged task force members to go higher. Member Ted Kreinik had spoken up. “I move to be one percent higher than the highest town in Connecticut so we are the leading community with the highest percentage.”

Why? Mr Holmes said this week, “We wanted to set a good example.”

But what kind of example? The answer is in the task force’s work. Shuffling papers and flipping through numbers and statistics associated with renewable energy providers and producers, looking at possible annual costs, members were peering into the future. In less than an hour last week they moved to recommend that the municipality sign up for Community Energy’s National Wind program for one year, to start.

Considering the handful of options on the table, their choice, members noted last week, is cost effective. Members also like that Community Energy not only provides clean energy, but is working to produce it, which Mr Holmes prefers.

“We like Community Energy. They produce energy and they’re building more structures.” Why does this matter to Mr Holmes? “They’re investing in infrastructure in this country,” he said. Learn more about Community Energy’s wind farms at newwindenergy.com.

Staring at the possibility of “changing our dependence” on fossil fuels, Mr Holmes later explained, “It seems to me that people are starting to wake up individually and for the municipality to do it, there is no going back.”

Mr Kreinik revealed his hopes at the meeting, “We’ll encourage town residents to join up.” But what if another town “leapfrogs” Newtown’s percentage and reaches for a higher number, members wondered? After a short back-and-forth, they decided that the competition could only boost the state’s clean energy use. The attention can work in the town’s favor. Mr Holmes pointed out, “I think we can get a lot of exposure in the state — to be a leader, to take a broad step.”

Along that line of thought, the members hope to send a strong message: “If you look around the country there are places where renewable [energy] sources are about to be mainstream; it’s about to happen here,” Mr Holmes said. “Connecticut is on the edge of embracing renewable energy. But we’re not there yet,” he agreed.

Annually, the group’s recommendation that the municipality purchase the 26 or more percent of its energy through renewable sources will cost an estimated $16,000. By adding the town’s schools and buildings and electric needs together, the amount is similar to changes residents would see if they changed their energy purchase. Generally, a household monthly bill will increase by several dollars at the most, Ms Quinn had said in an earlier interview.

The task force also has an eye out for Newtown on a house-to-house basis. Flip over the utility bill and look for a number to call to request a change in service. Or, visit the Newwindenergy.com site and select the link for “sign up today.” From there residents can choose the Connecticut Light and Power program, which allows residents to indicate that they heard about the program through the task force.

Each residence can make a choice in providers. Mr Holmes recommends going through the task force for several reasons. The task force receives $20 from Community Energy for each house it signs up for the renewable energy program, and for every 100 households, Newtown will receive a solar panel via the state’s 20 percent by 2010 initiative. Already the town has two two-kilowatt panels, which have not yet been installed. What is piped into the home does not change, but one household at a time, Newtown can receive increasing amounts of renewable energy off the main grid.

The simple answer? Mr Holmes said that residents interested in supporting the green energy effort should get their name on a list on April 26 at the Newtown Middle School, where task force members will be during Earth Day activities. Also, visit Gogreennewtown.com and learn more about the town’s first organized Earth Day celebration.

For those worried about costs, Mr Holmes anticipates that renewable energy costs will come down once public interest rises. “It’s still an expensive option,” he admits, but alternative energy also changes the country’s dependency on fossil fuel sources. With the intention of improving the equation, Mr Holmes said that the task force’s recommendation has to do with the environment, and in part, is an obligation. “I think we have the financial responsibility to help fund renewable projects,” he said. “It’s starting to be a formidable alternative.” On his mind is global warming for example. Hoping that a larger consumer base will drop the alternative fuel prices, he said, “If everyone is willing to do their part until costs come down — that’s the point.”