Region 1: EPA New England
Renewable Power: A Viable Option in Connecticut
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
By Robert Varney and
Daniel Sosland
April 23, 2002
Earth Day is always a time for celebrating our environment. But in the wake of last year's terrorist attack, this year's Earth Day celebration is especially significant.
This Earth Day, in particular, we should all commit to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources by using energy more efficiently and promoting clean, renewable power from resources found right here at home.
More than 22 percent of the fuel used last year to generate electricity in Connecticut came from oil. Less than 1 percent of Connecticut's electricity was generated from clean, renewable resources – solar, wind, landfill gas and fuel cells – that emit little or none of the pollution associated with older fossil-fuel power plants. Another six percent comes from hydro.
Connecticut has a unique opportunity to change this energy picture. Connecticut law allows consumers to choose their power suppliers and the types of energy they want to support. Unlike other New England states, numerous options are available to Connecticut customers. For about an extra $7.50 a month, the typical Connecticut family can ensure that all of their electricity is coming from renewable power.
Suppliers such as the Connecticut Energy Cooperative (the Co-op) and Green Mountain Energy currently offer green power products that come entirely from clean, renewable energy sources. Customers can switch to these suppliers, or can keep their existing power supplier and separately buy renewable energy "certificates" from active marketers such as the Co-op or from Sun Power Electric. The state's largest customers can even design customized power packages. Whatever way they choose, consumers directing their purchasing dollars to renewable power sources will reduce the state's reliance on foreign energy and help promote investment in clean energy.
Thousands of Connecticut homeowners have already made the decision to buy "green power," as have communities and colleges such as Westport, Wesleyan University and Connecticut College. And more commitments may be coming. On March 27, the student government at the University of Connecticut passed a resolution calling on the university to purchase five percent of its power from clean, renewable resources.
Elsewhere on the East Coast, state governments in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania have committed to buying a significant portion (10 to 15 percent) of their power supply from renewable energy sources. EPA New England is "walking the talk," too: the agency's new regional laboratory outside Boston is using certificates to buy wind power.
Several initiatives are available to help Connecticut customers
looking to boost the renewable content of their power supply. Groups
like Environment Northeast 
and the new EPA Green Power
Partnership EPA HQ
are offering technical assistance and public recognition to large
customers. And the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund provides financial
assistance to generators and suppliers so the cost to local consumers
will be more affordable.
Another option available to large energy users is to install clean power generators, known as "distributed generation," at their own facilities. For instance, fuel cells and other clean generators can keep the lights on during power outages and reduce the load on the utility when supplies are running tight. This helps business customers save money. These power systems also can be configured to recycle waste heat, further reducing the customer's need for energy and eliminating significant amounts of pollution that would otherwise have been emitted. Distributed generation can benefit all Connecticut consumers by reducing the need to upgrade and pay for expensive transmission lines around the state. It also makes the electricity infrastructure less vulnerable to terrorist attack.
Connecticut customers also have terrific opportunities to ensure that they are using power efficiently. The cheapest and cleanest energy available is the energy we avoid using through conservation. Technical and financial assistance are available for consumers who participate in the Connecticut Conservation and Load Management Fund program and myriad EPA Energy Star appliances and related programs. These programs help customers build homes that use less energy while providing greater comfort. They offer support to businesses and colleges planning to design new facilities efficiently, and offer products such as high efficiency lighting, cooling and heating equipment. Tens of thousands of Connecticut customers benefit from these programs each year. The effect of this effort has been to reduce the number of power plants needed in the state and avoid the emission of thousands of tons of pollution.
Energy used for electricity and heating in Connecticut is a nearly $5 billion a year business. Add the cost of fuel for cars and trucks and energy becomes one of the most significant costs to the state's economy. At the same time, Connecticut's energy use produces air pollution that harms our most vulnerable citizens and ecosystems.
Let's make Earth Day 2002 a day of action for energy independence and environmental protection. Make your next energy purchasing decision with efficiency and clean, renewable power in mind, and together we can improve our environment and reduce our dependence on foreign fuel.
Robert W. Varney is regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. Daniel Sosland is Executive Director of Environment Northeast, a nonprofit environmental group with offices in Hartford and Maine working to support clean energy, energy conservation and climate change action in Connecticut. This column does not constitute an endorsement of any of the above-mentioned products, companies or organizations.