First Selectman Mike Tetreau announced today that The Clean Energy Communities Program awarded the Town of Fairfield for community leadership, environmental stewardship and commitment to clean and efficient energy in Connecticut.

At a Clean Energy Communities Award Ceremony held yesterday with over 400 people attending, Fairfield was honored as a high-achieving participant in the Clean Energy Communities, an Energize Connecticut program made possible by Eversource, The United Illuminating Company and Connecticut Green Bank.

First Selectman Tetreau said, “Our Town is so proud to receive this award that highlights the numerous clean energy initiatives we have been achieving for years making us a model community. This award could not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of Fairfield’s Assistant Director of the Department of Public Works, Ed Boman, whose vision for a cleaner environment has resulted in our Town receiving about $8 million in grants and other financial assistance over the past 20 years. I also want to thank our dedicated Clean Energy Task Force for their forward-thinking initiatives which, along with Mr. Boman’s hard work, has saved millions in taxpayer dollars.”

The Clean Energy Communities program is administered by the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF). Fairfield continues to earn additional rewards for participation in clean energy programs.

Some of the highlights of Fairfield’s Energy and Environmental Awards and Initiatives in the last few years and future include:

• By 2016, the production of over 25% of our electric needs with green, solar electricity
• An annual savings of $2,400,000 in Avoided Energy Costs in the Town Budget:
  • 37.5% Decrease in Electrical Energy Use
  • 39% Decrease in Energy Purchased
  •  94% Reduction in Fuel Oil Use; and
• Fairfield receiving a Live Green Connecticut! Best Practices Award in 2014; and
• Fairfield receiving a $15,000 Bright Idea Grant in 2013 for its participation in the statewide Clean Energy Communities (CEC) program, an Energize Connecticut initiative that incentivizes cities and towns to support energy efficiency and renewable energy; and
•  Fairfield Being Awarded with the Power of Change, Highest Honors in Municipal Excellence Towards a Clean Energy Economy by the State of Connecticut in 2013; and
•  The Connecticut Green Building Council honoring Fairfield as Municipal Project of the Year for the Tri-generation project at Police Headquarters in 2012; and
•  Sustainability Efforts Initiated at Fairfield’s Public Schools that include:
  •  Land use (lawn maintenance employing organic land care standards)
  •  Waste Management and Recycling
  • Building Energy Efficiency
  •  Food (local, organic, non-GMO whenever possible)
  •  Transportation (route efficiency)
  •  Water Conservation
  •  A town-wide policy of using 100% green cleaning products
  •  Achieving nearly a 50% recycling rate; and
•  Fairfield earning the Conscious Decisions as a Sustainable and Healthier Community in 2012; and 
•  Conscious Decisions honoring Fairfield for making Connecticut a Cleaner, Healthier and Safer Place to Live in 2011.

In addition, Fairfield is fortunate to have volunteer residents serving on town committees like the Clean Energy Task Force which was created to put the Town on the path to using more alternative, clean, and renewable energy sources; the Earth Day Committee which organizes an annual Earth Day Celebration featuring exhibitors from local residents, organizations, and businesses that are leading and supporting green initiatives which are laying the groundwork to create a green infrastructure in Fairfield; The Fairfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee which among many of its initiatives is to encourage the public to ride bikes instead of drive vehicles which alleviates harmful air emissions; and the Forestry Committee which promotes awareness and appreciation for the environmental, economic, and cultural value of trees in Fairfield through programs like Roots to Branches: Past, Present & Future of Fairfield's Urban Forest.

The photo shows First Selectman Mike Tetreau and DPW Assistant Director Ed Boman who is holding the award.