Gentile accepts green award for Derby

Pictured from left are DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee, John Smith, an intern in state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco's office, state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, and Pat McDonnell, a representative from United Illuminating. / Contributed photo

    The city of Derby was among 23 municipalities receiving grants for their work continuing the state’s march toward energy efficiency. 
    State Rep. Linda M. Gentile D-Ansonia, was joined by other town leaders to accept the “Bright Idea” grant of $5,000 from Clean Energy Communities, a program administered through Energize Connecticut. 
     Gentile represents Ansonia and Derby.

     “Derby has been recognized for its leadership in pursuing energy efficiency initiatives. Today's grant is simply one more example of our community's commitment to saving taxpayer money and improving quality of life,” Gentile said.

 “I thank United Illuminating for working with communities to identify ways to save on energy and their commitment to this program.” 

     Between January 2010 and December 2013, Derby saved 14,919,911 kilowatt hours of electricity and 12,944 centum cubic feet of natural gas. 
  The avoided emissions removed 7,385 tons of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) from the atmosphere or the equivalent of taking 1,288 cars off the road for one year.

   Derby qualified for the grant by:

·        Hosting light bulb exchanges at EcoFest where residents exchange incandescent bulbs for LED’s

·        Joined the Clean Energy Communities Program

·        Benchmarking all municipal and board of education buildings through an EPA Portfolio Manager

·        424 homes (8 percent of the community) have participated in residential programs

     Energize CT is an initiative dedicated to empowering Connecticut citizens to make smart energy choices. 

This is a press release from Gentile's office.