The Hampton Green Energy Committee was established by the Board of Selectmen in January 2010. Its charge is to study and recommend an energy savings/green energy plan for the Town of Hampton. The Committee will initially focus on recommending a plan for solar energy on the new garage, elementary school, and town hall. It will develop a plan for energy efficiency, conservation, and other sources of alternative energy.
Information about financial assistance for purchasing energy and energy conservation renovations is available at Town Hall.
The Green Energy committee applied for and received a grant from the Last Green Valley Inc. for $19,000 for a solar thermal system on the Hampton Elementary School. The grant, along with the $17,000 incentive for solar thermal systems from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, provided all but $1,900 of the system which was installed in the summer of 2010. Another grant from the CT Clean Energy Fund enabled the committee to install monitoring software for the system. You can monitor the energy produced by the system by clicking here.
The committee partnered with Hampton Elementary School to host a Clean Energy Fair in September 2010, with participants publicizing a variety of energy saving services and products. The new solar system was demonstrated there.
Solar Collectors on Fire House
Solar Collectors on Town Hall
Photos by Pete Vertefeuille
The following links provide information about clean energy generation, conservation and financing as well as specific Hampton initiatives.
The Department of Public Utility Control regulates energy companies in Connecticut. DPUC informs us that there are legitimate companies selling electricity. Each household can select a company to generate and supply electricity through CL&P. The household's bills and services such as line repair still come through CL&P.
One of the electricity generating companies,
Direct Energy, has a contract to provide a discount to Hampton households who chose it. There is a further discount for Hampton senior citizens.
CT Energy Info This site links to many energy related resources including Frequently Asked Questions about choosing a supplier of electric generation and Top 10 Misunderstandings About Choosing an Electric Supplier and rate comparisons among electric generating companies. Also found on the site is financial assistance with energy bills.
Choosing electric generating companies and clean energy options is explained in The Hampton Green Energy Committee updated booklet, How to Purchase Clean Energy and Save Money, available at Town Hall.
Clean Energy Points for Hampton
In addition to choosing an electricity generating company, households can support investment in clean energy through a small additional charge by signing up with
Sterling Planet. This earns Hampton points toward a solar system. You can sign up for Sterling Planet at
www.ctcleanenergyoptions.com, or fill out a form available at Town Hall.
Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund describes a host of available programs to help residents, businesses and towns. The Energy Efficiency Programs are funded through a Combined Public Benefits charge on your electric bill, reviewed by the Energy Conservation Management Board, approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control, and administered by The Connecticut Light and Power Company and The United Illuminating Company.
The CT Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) web site provides information on incentive programs for alternative energy systems such as solar thermal, photovoltaic and geothermal heat.
CT Green Building Council This site allows you to explore educational opportunities promoted by a non-profit organization dedicated to energy efficient design and building.
