News from the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund:

On Wednesday, the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, in partnership with the Hamden Clean Energy Committee, will host a workshop on the Clean Energy Communities program, an initiative that provides Connecticut communities with the opportunity to support energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy.

The workshop will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Keefe Community Center on Pine Street in Hamden, and is free of charge and open to the public.

The Clean Energy Communities program starts with communities taking a pledge to commit to reducing municipal building energy consumption by 20 percent by 2018.  The community also works with CEFIA to make a commitment to purchase 20 percent of its energy needs from clean sources by 2018.  Then, through participation in energy and cost saving programs, the community earns points; the more points a community earns allows them to become eligible to receive free clean energy systems and grants towards energy efficiency projects.

The workshop will help local Clean Energy Task Forces develop plans of action for their towns to become Clean Energy Communities, reduce their overall energy consumption through energy efficiency programs and strategies, and encourage the purchase of renewable energy.

Additionally, residents that are passionate about renewable energy, energy efficiency and the environment are encouraged to attend and will receive valuable information on available programs that also help reduce energy costs.

The upcoming Clean Energy Communities workshop will:

·         Provide an overview of the Clean Energy Communities program

·         Share examples of towns that have successfully implemented these programs

·         Help municipalities create a Municipal Action Plan (MAP) in order to take the necessary first steps towards becoming a Clean Energy Community

·         Provide local Clean Energy Task Forces with tool kits on different programs, such as Home Energy Solutions, and guidance on setting up successful clean energy events (lighting fairs, clean energy fairs)

Dinner and refreshments will be provided.  For more information, please contact Diana McCarthy-Bercury at mccard@nu.com or call 860-665-5061.

About Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA):

CEFIA was established by Connecticut’s General Assembly on July 1, 2011 as a part of Public Act 11-80. This new quasi-public agency supersedes the former Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. CEFIA’s mission is to help ensure Connecticut’s energy security and community prosperity by realizing its environmental and economic opportunities through clean energy finance and investments. As the nation’s first full-scale clean energy finance authority, CEFIA will leverage public and private funds to drive investment and scale-up clean energy deployment in Connecticut. For more information about CEFIA, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.

About Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund:

The Energy Efficiency Fund promotes efficient energy use, helps residents and businesses save on their electric and natural gas bills, advances economic development, reduces electric demand, and helps reduce air pollution. Energy Efficiency Fund programs serve residential customers, including limited- and fixed-income customers, as well as business and municipal customers. Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs are funded by a charge on customers’ utility bills and administered by the state’s electric and gas utilities including: Connecticut Light and Power, United Illuminating, Yankee Gas, Connecticut Natural Gas, and Southern Connecticut Gas. Additional information on Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs can be found at www.ctenergyinfo.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.