City opts for clean energy sources
Apr. 18--NEW BRITAIN -- By Joann Klimkiewicz, The Hartford Courant, Conn. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
The city has signed on to a statewide effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by committing to purchase 20 percent of its municipal electricity from clean energy sources by 2010.
Under recently passed state legislation, consumers can now choose the clean
energy option on their utility bills. If 100 customers in New Britain sign up to
buy energy from clean sources -- wind, solar energy and hydropower -- the city
will get a free 1-kilowatt solar photovoltaic power panel to be installed on the
roof of a public building.
Customers will find an insert in their Connecticut Light & Power bills
describing their options to buy 50 percent or 100 percent of their electricity
from one of two clean energy companies. Customers can expect to pay an extra $3
to $6 per month for the option. Proponents say it's a small investment for the
potential long-term benefits.
"If enough people check it off, it will be a viable way of weaning our
state and country off of foreign sources of oil and other dirty sources of
energy," said Alderman Rick Lopes.
He pushed a proposal for the city's clean energy effort, approved by the
common council last month.
"And the more people buy clean energy dramatically lowers the price of
what clean energy costs," Lopes said.
Along with the state's commitment to lessen its reliance on fossil fuels, New
Britain joins New Haven, Portland, Milford, West Hartford and Canton in its
"20/10" pledge.
The Union of Concerned Scientists, based in Massachusetts, reports that 19
states, including Connecticut, have enacted regulations allowing consumers
access to clean energy.
The organization reports those states could by themselves reduce annual
carbon dioxide emissions by 65 million metric tons, which is the equivalent to
taking nearly 10 million cars off the road or planting more than 15 million
trees.
Lopes said the city is still awaiting a report estimating the cost of
powering the city's streetlights, schools and buildings with clean energy. But
he expected the increase would be minimal.
West Hartford officials estimated the town will pay as little as $2,700 more
for the clean energy this year and $12,700 by 2010.
The council is set to form a task force of city residents that will decide
how New Britain will apply the clean energy option here.
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