Some are called Task Forces. Some are Commissions. Some are Ad-hoc Sub-Committees of their City Council and some are simply informal groups of local citizens. What they all have in common are the dedicated citizens who are committed to lead their towns and cities toward energy efficiency, conservation and increased use of renewable energy resources by their town governments, businesses and residents.
Regardless of their structure and authority, the work of town energy groups can be classified into two broad areas with much overlap: (1) involvement in how the municipal government uses energy, and (2) energy guidance and education of town citizens both residents and business owners.
In both areas, an energy committee can be instrumental in promoting (A) energy conservation, (B) efficiency, and (C) the use of renewable resources.
Summary (headings in bold are links to further discussion below)
(1A) Municipal Energy Conservation Produces Immediate Cost Savings and Lower Emissions. A town energy committee can effect immediate savings to the town through education of the people who use their buildings and vehicles on changes in behavior that have little cost to them. First steps can include an informal energy "walkthrough" and documenting energy use from utility bills. A variety of methods are used to educate building and vehicle users, the best being ideas from the people who use the buildings the most. The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF), in partnership with the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CEFIA), has an incentive program that assigns points to towns based on documented energy reduction. The Northwest Conservation District (NCD) can assist towns in all phases of energy conservation.
(1B) Municipal Energy Efficiency Lowers Costs After Investment, Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions Immediately. Many committees have researched and suggested replacing of equipment to lower operating costs. There are many processes used to accomplish this, from short term individual building work using town emplyess only, to municipal wide surveys by Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) that may (or may not) guarantee the energy savings will be greater than the costs of the investment over years. Whatever the role of a committee, municipalities are well advised to carefully document energy savings to show good return on their investment.
(1C) Municipal Renewable Energy: Zero Net Carbon Emissions, Long Term Cost Parity. Few people disagree that energy conservation and efficiency are proper goals for municipal governments, because they cut costs as well as decrease carbon emissions. Use of renewable resources to replace fossil fuels however does not enjoy the same agreement, but this should not stop responsible municipal officials from considering renewable energy as part of an overall energy Municipal Action Plan for their town. There is widespread agreement that oil, the primary economic driver of our civilization, cannot be relied on indefinitely, and renewable energy resources available in northwest Connecticut are numerous and varied.
(2A) Citizen Energy Conservation Produces Immediate Cost Savings and Lower Emissions.Many town energy groups in northwest Connecticut educate their town citizens in ways to cut their home or business energy use. The approach to educating citizens is usually very different than to the education of town employees and users of town buildings because a committee has little if any kind of authority over what we do with our own homes or businesses, and because of the difficulties inherent in communicating with the general population. School programs, competitions, presentations to community groups, displays, online and handed out information all help peole to understand that we have the power reduce energy use in significant ways.
(2B) Home and Business Energy Efficiency Lowers Costs After Investment, Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions Immediately. Low or no interest energy loans, home and business energy audits, incentives for replacing inefficient equipment are available to decrease the heating and electrical demands of our homes and businesses. Getting the information out to the home and business owners can be the focus of a town energy group. Often the best method is to lead by example starting with the members of a Committee, who then offer to describe the benefits to other organizations.
(2C) Home and Business Renewable Energy: Zero Net Carbon Emissions, Long Term Cost Parity In Connecticut we are fortunate that we can cut our dependence on fossil fuels dramatically, easily, and relatively inexpensively by choosing the Clean Energy Option on our electric bills. Promoting this option to the residents and businesses of a town was the main reason that many Town Energy Task Forces were formed several years ago. The percentage of households signed up for this option in the 34 towns of the Northwest Conservation District varies from under one percent in some towns to over 30% in Cornwall, the average for the District being a little over 4%. Installation of solar photovoltaic and thermal systems, geothermal heating and cooling, use of biofuels, promotion of good forestry practices during fuelwood harvesting, all can be encouraged by a town energy committee.
Discussion
(1A) Municipal Energy Conservation: Immediate Cost Savings and Lower Emissions
Town and school employees, with the volunteers, students, visitors and other users of public buildings and vehicles, are rarely (if ever) required to consider how they are using energy. Though the people responsible for the facilities may be well aware of how a building uses energy, they usually do not have the time, authority, or inclination to educate the building users on the best ways to cut energy costs...
A town energy committee can effect immediate savings to the town through education of the people who use their buildings and vehicles on changes in behavior that have little cost to them. A first step can be an informal energy "walkthrough" with knowledgable town employees to survey conservation efforts that have already been put in place while recommending new ones. Publicizing the two lists can serve as a reminder and source of ideas for others.
More formal and long range conservation efforts can be instituted by an energy committee such as reports to groups, placing reminder signs and stickers on equipment and switches, newsletter articles, regular site visits. Some towns have hired consultants to manage their conservation efforts with the cost of the service being paid out of the savings on their energy bills. town building recycling programs are often administered by energy committees.
Documenting the savings from conservation efforts is important to the development of an energy awareness "culture" that will make the savings from changes in behavior permanent. Tracking energy use from building utility bills and publicizing the results reinforces the desired behavior. An energy committee can be useful in the intial data gathering and ongoing tracking of energy use.
The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF), in partnership with the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CEFIA), has an incentive program that assigns points to towns based on documented energy reduction that is scheduled to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2012. The Northwest Conservation District (NCD) can assist towns in all phases of energy conservation.
(1B) Municipal Energy Efficiency: Lower Costs After Investment, Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions Immediately
This is what most energy committees in nw CT are assigned, reducing town costs. Many committees have researched and suggested replacing of equipment to lower operating costs. There are many processes used to accomplish this, from short term individual building work using town emplyess only, to municipal wide surveys by Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) that may (or may not) guarantee the energy savings will be greater than the costs of the investment over years.s.
Most commonly in small towns, the energy committee has asked an ESCO authorized by CEEF to survey electrical use in one or all town buildings at no cost. The committee then analyses the report from the ESCO with the town facilities professionals. They then either recommend the town council proceed with a contract or not. Usually some reworking of the agreement is required to make sure the estimates of savings is accurate, and to remove from the contract work that the town employees can do themselves.
The roles a town energy committee plays can vary from entirely advisory to having the actual authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the municipality. Whatever the role of a committee, municipalities are well advised to carefully document energy savings to show good return on their investment.
In addition to getting a town started on documenting energy use, NCD can informally identify potential areas of savings, help a town to understand their options, assist in contacting and working with an ESCO, review contracts and interpret the often confusing calculations of energy use.
(1C) Municipal Renewable Energy: Zero Net Carbon Emissions, Long Term Cost Parity
Few people disagree that energy conservation and efficiency are proper goals for municipal governments, because they cut costs as well as decrease carbon emissions. Use of renewable resources to replace fossil fuels however does not enjoy the same agreement.
Some resistance to renewable energy is political, where candidates and parties have taken a stance in regard to climate change and are unwilling to consider evidence (scientific or otherwise) contrary to their position or that of their funding sources. More widespread is opposition to renewable energy based on an assumption that it is not cost effective. In some cases, individuals have had bad experiences working with with renewable sources of energy and this sometimes creates a generalized opposition to all fossil fuel replacements.
None of the above should stop responsible municipal officials from considering renewable energy as part of an overall energy Municipal Action Plan for their town. There is widespread agreement that oil, the primary economic driver of our civilization, cannot be relied on indefinitely. Even oil companies and oil producing nations recognize that a worldwide peak in oil production has already occurred or is imminent, with the result that for the first time production of oil will decrease over time. The complete economic effects of this are unknown because it has never happened before. The most serious effect however is obvious: the cost of oil based products will increase as supply drops below demand.
Renewable energy resources available in northwest Connecticut are numerous and varied. Solar energy for both heat and electricity, geothermal heat, wind power, small low impact and large hydroelectric power, solid biomass in various forms, biofuel and biogas for heating, electrical generation and transportation, fuel cell technology and even muscle power have all been used with varying degrees of success and impact. The prices of energy from renewable resources of all kinds are coming down as supply and technology improves. At some point in the future, prices for energy from fossil fuels will reach parity with renewable energy. Right now, a new building can (and probably should) be built so energy efficient that over the life of the building, it can cost-effectively use only renewable resources for energy.
The first energy Task Forces were set up in many towns to earn points from the CT Clean Energy Fund (now CEFIA) toward the installation of solar photovoltaic systems for town buildings. That program continues with one of the requirements the purchase by town governements of renewably generated electricity through the Clean Energy Option on their electric bills or directly in blocks from a power company. Use of the Clean Energy Option is by far the easiest way for a town to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Convincing a town government to do it, and to continue it however, is one of the hardest tasks taken on by energy committees because it adds a small premium to every electric bill. NCD can assist municipal committees by explaining the Clean Energy Option system and will help with presentations to town and community groups.
Town energy committees in nw CT have explored the questions associated in municipal use of renewable energy of every kind. Should we put solar panels on the roofs of town buildings? What about solar hot water? Is there enough wind and will residents oppose it? Can we replace an old boiler with geothermal heat or a fuel cell or a combined heat power system? Should we try natural gas or biogas or electric propulsion in the fleet? Should we switch to biodiesel and bioheat? Can we convert the old mill dam to low impact hydropower production? Can we get methane from the old landfill or the sewage treatment plant to heat buildings or to run our trucks/generators? Should we compost school food scraps? Can we heat the town garage with old oil or wood chips? Can we become the first zero net energy town? Where can we get the money?
NCD can assist town committees with these questions, helping the towns to earn the incentive points from CEEF and CEFIA.
(2A) Citizen Energy Conservation: Immediate Cost Savings and Lower Emissions
Many town energy groups in northwest Connecticut educate their town citizens in ways to cut their home or business energy use.The approach to educating citizens is usually very different than to the education of town employees and users of town buildings because a committee has little if any kind of authority over what we do with our own homes or businesses, and because of the difficulties inherent in communicating with the general population. School programs, competitions, presentations to community groups, displays, online and handed out information,
School Programs
...are often used to show not only students but their parents that simple steps can make a big difference in energy bills and emissions. Energy committees have found however that public schools are constrained by myriad mandates, testing requirements, scheduling issues, public perceptions both accurate and ridiculous, changes in staff and administration, budgets under microscopic scrutiny, huge variations in parental participation and often complete disassociation from town government. In spite of these obstacles, a program that touches all families in town with school age students will probably reach more of the town residents than anything else an energy committee can do.
The best town committee sponsored energy conservation programs are those that come from energy committees that include teachers and school administrators. This may seem obvious, but it is very difficult for teachers, who for the most part compress a full year job into ten months, to find the time and strength to attend a town energy committee meeting if most of the meeting deals with non-school issues. School administrators often seem to spend their whole lives in meetings, so they too will rightfully resist adding another one to their schedules. Scheduling the planning of school energy programs in their buildings at times of their choosing works well if the involved town committee volunteers can also attend.
Educational professionals are often the brightest and best educated people employed by a town and so recognize quickly the value of energy education and are usually eager to help a town committee. However, every moment of a student's time in school has to be planned and scheduled to meet not only curriculum goals but also safety and supervison requirements. Designing an energy conservation program that improves on and thereby replaces existing curriculum will work better than asking a school to add to what they already do.
Before talking to teachers or administrators about energy education it is useful to become familiar with any curriculm documentation the school has available. Although Connecticut does not have an official curriculum like many states, the Mastery and CAPT testing system creates a defacto curriculum that limits the flexibility of the classroom teacher to replace lessons at will. A look at the CT State Department of Education's curriculum guides to see at what grade levels particular aspects of energy conservation are 'suggested' can prevent time wasted planning a program that teachers may later discover they cannot fit into their school year.
Energy conservation education in schools can be categorized into three types of learning situations: regular classroom curriculum, special programs at a particular time of year, and co-curricular student groups.
As mentioned above, modifying a curriculum is a daunting task, but assisting teachers to make classroom learning relevant to real world energy conservation pays off well both as an intruction method and as a way to cut energy use at home. 
When students go home and start asking questions about their fuel use, electric bills, and car gas mileage their parents learn about the same subjects also. Depending on grade level, discovering how and why a family uses energy can be used to teach learn a wide variety of topics, and then cutting energy waste continues to reinforce the learning over a long time. The materials that students bring home to use for their assignments can promote a variety of energy committee initiatives.
Special school energy programs can involve assemblies, classroom presentations, poster contests, competitions between classrooms to 'celebrate' an energy month or week or day. If organized for a regularly occuring time, these can be easier to implement from a teacher's point of view if an administrator, school group, the energy committee or a volunteer does the planning and organizing. When parents get energy conservation ideas brought home from school during the same month every year, it can be a useful way to measure how sucessful they were in permanently cutting energy waste.
Co-curricular learning about energy conservation often takes the form of students in a school environmental club or Envirothon Team who not only enjoy patrolling their building and reminding teachers to turn off their lights and computers after school, they go after fellow students and parents. They may be the presenters at a school assembly or to a lower grade about their accomplishments. A town energy committee with student participation can tap into wider world than a committee of all 'old folks'.
The Northwest Conservation District can help your town energy committee and schools to explore the many ways that students can bring energy conservation home.
Competitions
...between households to see who can save the most energy over a month, season, or year, can reveal many easy to accomplish tricks to saving energy. Asking residents to try a few simple steps such as using a clothesline instead of their dryer can produce quick and obvious savings that encourges them to go even futher to cut energy use.
(Competitions, presentations to community groups, displays, online and handed out information to be added here)
(2B) Citizen Energy Efficiency: Lower Costs After Investment, Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions Immediately
(2C) Citizen Renewable Energy: Zero Net Carbon Emissions, Long Term Cost Parity
Caveatta
(1) The purpose of this webpage is to introduce possibilites for town-based energy groups. It is not meant to be comprehensive. The US EPA has a 72 page document called "Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations - A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs" and Clean Air - Cool Planet will be publishing a major guide: THE ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE HANDBOOK FOR CONNECTICUT TOWNS that should soon (March 2012) be available at https://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/for_communities/energy_committees.php (their outdated guide is available here). The webpage you are viewing is can help you decide what part of a more comprehensive resource you want to go to.
(2) This page is undergoing editing and additions. It is currently not complete, but is being published because what has been written may be of use. Please check back later to see a more completed work.
(3) References and documentation may not get added until the whole thing is written, but if you want to know where I got information before that, please write me at tonymitchell@conservect.org
More links to recent, useful new articles can be found here.