HARTFORD – Branford First Selectman James Cosgrove has been appointed to the Connecticut Green Bank board of directors by state House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora.
“Jamie has provided strong leadership and fiscal management to Branford as first selectman by drawing on his business background, and that experience is a great addition to the Green Bank’s Board,” said Rep. Candelora.
Cosgrove has served as first selectman since 2013, after previously serving on the town’s Board of Selectmen (2011-2013) and Representative Town Meeting (2009-2011). Cosgrove has significant experience in project management, budgeting, contracting, and negotiating from his career in the construction industry.
“We thank House Republican Leader Candelora for his appointment of Jamie Cosgrove to our Board,” said Green Bank Board Chairwoman Lonnie Reed. “His valuable talents include hands-on experience addressing the countless challenges often encountered by municipalities as they pursue, adopt, and administer clean energy objectives and environmental infrastructure projects.”
Under Cosgrove’s leadership in Branford, the town has developed policies and programs that protect the environment and build a more sustainable and resilient community. Cosgrove supported the town’s draft energy plan, created by the Clean Energy Ad Hoc Committee to guide the town toward greater energy efficiency and sustainability.
In 2020, the town established an office of Sustainability and Compliance to coordinate and lead the town’s ambitious energy efficiency goals, improve environmental quality and enhance the overall well-being of the town.
In 2024, two elementary schools added solar panels which are projected to save the town more than $200,000 over 20 years. Other projects completed by the town include the installation of solar panels at the Transfer Station, Branford High School and Fire Headquarters, also site to a geothermal energy project; a 4.3-acre solar farm located at Tabor Drive; several lighting efficiency projects; acquisition of EV fleet vehicles and the installation of EV chargers on town owned properties. In addition, the town has entered into two significant net metering agreements to supply energy credits to eight town owned facilities.
