The Legislative Council heard a yearly report from the Sustainable Energy Commission (SEC) regarding its recent accomplishments, including work towards making the Batchelder site usable for economic development and increasing Newtown's use of renewable energy.

The SEC sent a detailed memo regarding its accomplishments, and noted its mission is to: "Identify, implement and support renewable energy use, energy efficiency and energy conservation programs in which Newtown's residents, businesses, organizations, and town agencies can participate. To disseminate information relating to cost effective and environmentally conscious renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and energy conservation programs. Furthermore, the SEC will support the efforts of Town elected officials, volunteers, and employees to identify and implement renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and energy conservation programs. To support, develop, and organize any other such programs or innovations as recommended by the Board of Selectmen."

SEC Chair Damian Bednarz noted that Newtown's town facilities reached 100% renewable energy as of May 2026. Over 100% of Newtown’s public buildings, including schools and fire houses, have electricity supplied by renewable sources, both indirect (virtual power plants) and direct (solar panels on town buildings).

Bednarz noted the portfolio is expected to reach 113% of capacity by the end of 2026, totaling about ten million kWh (eight megawatts). No local taxpayer dollars went into these projects. Funding came from State programs (ZREC, NRES and others) and utility partnerships.

Department of Public Works Director Fred Hurley noted that the town is getting to over 100% because of the large amount of power it is generating, with energy being used by other town buildings or receiving credits for power that is going out into the grid. Hurley said the hope was to get the town to 150% in 2027.

"The town should be very proud of the accomplishments of the SEC in the past year," said Hurley. "They took a leadership position in county and region to address energy issues."

The SEC established an ad hoc committee with the Economic Development Commission to identify opportunities for Batchelder, a 32-acred brownfield site that could include clean energy development.

Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) is expected to deliver a report at the end of October 2026 on a site plan for the 32-acre property, which will include potential options for development and cleanup.

The SEC’s main effort going forward will be to facilitate educational opportunities on the process and options for development in coordination with the Economic Development Commission and First Selectman.

Current priorities for the commission include:

Batchelder: Review the NVCOG site plan report and share feedback on options.

New generation: Evaluate carport and canopy solar at public properties such as the police station and several school parking lots.

EV charging: Continue advocating for stronger EV charging requirements in local regulations, including a clearer definition of “charging infrastructure,” and review additional public charging sites such as the library parking lot.

Sustainable building: Promote sustainable building concepts by collecting resources on the SEC webpage and linking it to the new site adopted by the Building Department.

Residential outreach: Promote balcony solar technology and consumer options programs following the passage of Public Act No 26-127, allowing Connecticut residents to install plug-in solar modules.

Advance evaluation of carport/solar canopies at the police station and relevant school parking lots, as well as EV charging at the library for its parking lot. This all depends on interconnection queues and coordination with vendors.

Bednarz noted that the federal government has made "aggressive moves" to sunset renewable energy tax incentives, and the SEC is trying to get the word out about programs that could save residents money before the incentives expire.

The commission is also looking to identify more opportunities for electric car charging ports at public buildings to "enable more electric vehicle deployment."

"We're focusing on carrots to encourage more folks to use electric cars," said Bednarz.

Councilman Chris Gardner called the SEC "one of the biggest success stories in town, who don't get enough press."

Gardner asked if any thought had gone into electric car charger ports closer to the center of town, like at Hawley School.

Hurley explained that when the town applied for funding for car charger ports, there was still extensive tree cover over Hawley. Middle Gate and Newtown Middle School had been overlooked because of discussions on what to do with those buildings. However, car charger ports are coming to Sandy Hook School and Reed Intermediate School.

Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.