The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection today presented “Summer Saver” Awards to 11 organizations; including retailers, schools, and healthcare facilities, for their leadership and commitment to reducing energy usage and air pollution during the critical “peak demand” summer months of 2013.

“The combined efforts of the 11 Summer Savers Awardees resulted in energy savings in kilowatt hours, peak electricity demand and in carbon emissions,” said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee. “Efficiency efforts are of special significance in summer months when reducing peak demand can help reduce the cost of power and when reducing emissions from power plants helps prevent pollution that contributes to smog and climate change.”

The combined efforts of these awardees resulted in energy savings of over 381,354 kilowatt hours (or 381 megawatt hours) of electricity, lowering peak electricity demand by 618 kilowatts and CO₂ emissions by 175 tons.  To achieve their savings, the awardees utilized various incentives offered by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund Small Business and Commercial and Industrial programs available through the Eversource and The United Illuminating Company.

 In a ceremony today at the State Capitol, the following awards were presented:

•  Peak Performer Award to Southington High School for the highest achievement during Summer 2013 in reducing electricity demand without the use of back-up diesel generation as part of ISO-New England’s Load Response program:

1. 1. Southington High School for a reduction of over 421 kilowatts or 36%.

•  Platinum Award for the most outstanding achievement in energy savings from amongst all of the Connecticut Summer Saver awardees and the Environmental Award for the greatest reduction in CO2 greenhouse gas:

1. 1. Ethan Allen, Danbury, for reductions of 67,449 kilowatt hours or 45%, 28 kilowatts or 36%, and 31 tons of CO2

•  Gold Awards for a greater than 20% reduction in electricity consumption as well as demand:

1. 1. Bridgeport Board of Education, for reductions by three schools totaling 53,517 kilowatt hours or 21%, and 41 kilowatts in demand or 23%
   2. 211 Main State LLC, Bridgeport, for reductions of 23,556 kilowatt hours or 20%, and 15 kilowatts in demand or 21%
   3. Wells Fargo Bank, Woodbury, for reductions of 20,992 kilowatt hours or 24%, and 6 kilowatts in demand or 11%
   4. Whetstone Holding Inc., Cheshire, for reductions of 13,708 kilowatt hours or 28% and 7 kilowatts in demand or 21%

•  Silver Awards for a 10% to 20% reduction in electricity consumption as well as demand:

1. 1. Filosa Intermediate Health Care/ dba Hancock Hall, Danbury
   2. Marshalls, Fairfield
   3. NEJ, Inc., Beacon Falls
   4. One Century Tower Building Associates, New Haven

•  Bronze Awards for a 5% to 10% reduction in electricity consumption as well as demand:

1. 1. New Canaan Police Department

The Summer Energy Savers Awards program was instituted to encourage and reward Connecticut businesses and institutions who reduced their electricity consumption during the summer months by 5% to 20% over the previous two summers.  Increased summer energy demand, driven almost exclusively by usage of air conditioners, plays a substantial role in increased consumer costs for electricity.  The Summer Saver Awards acknowledge the efforts of the awardees that reduced their use on peak energy days in summer when it is so critical to the state’s energy infrastructure.

Owners/operators of facilities that increase their energy efficiency or initiate conservation measures this summer are invited to apply for the Connecticut Summer Saver Awards. 

To obtain an application and to learn more about the program, please visit http://www.summersaver.state.ct.us or contact Ginger Teubner at (860) 827-2630.

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