In a follow-up message to The Bee this week, the governor said, “The town is leading the way on the clean energy front, thanks to the efforts of the task force volunteers.”

“It’s a nice pat on the back,” Clean Energy Task Force member Ted Kreinik said.

Newtown has made the commitment to purchase 26 percent of municipal electricity needs through renewable energy providers — a number that puts the municipality where the task force had aimed — at the top of the state’s green efforts. “This…reflects the dedication and leadership,” of the task force and town to create a more “environmentally sound community,” states the proclamation. Pleased, Mr Kreinik said, “I am glad she recognized the town government and community as being at the forefront.”

The task force members, charged to select a clean energy provider and purchase at least 20 percent of its energy through renewable sources by the year 2010, went an additional step in the governor’s statewide clean energy challenge, the 20 percent by 2010 campaign. With a 26 percent purchase, Newtown tops of the list of communities now participating. Twenty-six percent “certainly sets the standard for other municipalities,” the proclamation continues. “Congratulations on being the first town in Connecticut to use 26 [percent],” the governor noted in the proclamation. “May Newtown continue to lead the way.”

Task force Chairman Daniel Holmes, who along with member Ted Kreinik had sent correspondence to the governor in past weeks, said Monday, “I am glad they picked up on it.” Earlier this month Mr Kreinik had sent a brief email to the governor’s office, since he had not heard from the state since Newtown’s selectmen approved of the task force’s recommendations, he said this week. In his mail to Governor Rell’s office he wrote, “The task force presented its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen in June 2008. The recommendation was not only to select the supplier but to have clean energy provide 26 [percent] of municipal electrical needs and provide it immediately. The Board of Selectmen passed it unanimously.” His mail explained: “The Town exceeded its target and did it immediately. The Task Force is currently signing up businesses and individuals to commit to buying 50–100 [percent] of their electricity from clean energy sources.”

After sending his correspondence, Mr Kreinik said he was “blown away,” when he saw that the governor responded with a proclamation. First Selectman Joe Borst also promotes the town’s efforts.

Newtown’s task force members chose Community Energy as its renewable provider. Learn more at NewWindEnergy.com, which offers the introduction, “We are leading the way to energy independence and a healthier environment at a time when pollution-free energy has never been more important.” Mr Kreinik hopes to provide a copy of the proclamation to the selectman in coming days where it will become part of town record.

Regarding the task force’s recognition, Mr Borst said, “We’re very happy.” He recalls the meeting during the summer when Mr Holmes had voiced the group’s intent to aim for 26 percent. “We agreed with them, we support it,” he said. The municipality is “certainly” an example for residents to follow toward environmentally conscientious efforts, he agreed. “It’s the way to go,” Mr Borst noted. “It’s reducing our need for oil, etc, and going green.”