The town of Wilton has signed a pledge to reduce by one-fifth its town electric use and to buy the same amount from renewable sources ”“ all within five years.
Wilton joins more than 60 other Connecticut municipalities that have already taken the pledge.
Under the expanded Clean Energy Communities program, Wilton aims to reduce municipal building energy consumption by 20 percent by 2018 and to purchase 20 percent of its municipal electrical needs from renewable sources by 2018. Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) and the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority (CEFIA), the Clean Energy Communities program administrators, will partner with Wilton to help achieve the goals.
“Wilton has always embraced energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives and we are excited to join the Clean Energy Communities program, which will ensure that our community continues to grow in both of these areas,” said Wilton First Selectman Bill Brennan. “I hope that by signing the pledge, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, which will help lower their overall energy costs, and contribute to Wilton”™s participation in the Clean Energy Communities program.”
Through participation in energy-saving and renewable energy programs, Wilton can earn points toward rewards. Because Wilton has opted into the Commercial ”“ Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, the town can earn points for applications and completed C-PACE projects at commercial and industrial properties. A similar incentive plan exists for homeowners.
Wilton has already earned its first “Bright Idea Grant,” which is achieved when a community earns 100 points through participation in energy efficiency programs. The grant will be used for a community-selected energy-saving project.
