A group of Connecticut environmental organizations and state and local officials joined a national coalition calling on President Barack Obama to support federal efforts to promote offshore wind.

The Connecticut coalition included Environment Connecticut, Connecticut Forest and Park Association, Clean Water Action, the state's chapter of the Sierra Club, Connecticut Marine Trades Association, Senator Paul Doyle, Senator Edward Meyer, Senator Gary LeBeau, Representative Richard Roy, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.

The coalition's 217 supporters of offshore wind sent an open letter to the president Tuesday, aiming to forward a national conversation about renewable energy as the country seeks to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels.

The Connecticut Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority (CEFIA) announced the selection of Westport as one of four towns to participate in phase one of Solarize Connecticut, a pilot program that encourages adoption of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

The program is based on the success of last year’s Solarize Massachusetts Pilot, which took place during the summer of 2011.

State legislators voted to continue oil conservation in the  June 12th special legislative session

After months of uncertainty, the Connecticut General Assembly just voted during a special legislative session to continue energy conservation programs for oil customers! We were pleased by bipartisan support for these provisions during the debate, and expect the governor to sign this bill into law shortly. We couldn’t have done this without you! Thanks so much.

Help us continue to make Connecticut Safe and Healthy! The CSHC June Newsletter

CSHC State Legislative Session Wrap Up:
Unfortunately, the Connecticut Legislative Session ended without a victory for protecting CT citizens from chemicals of high concern.  Our Coalition members, activists and canvassers worked tirelessly until the end to get our priority bill-Senate Bill 274 An Act Concerning Chemicals of Concern to Children passed.  Despite having support in both the Senate and House, the bill did not get called.  Our other bill An Act Requiring the Labeling of Food Packaging Containing Bisphenol A also was not called.  This was, in part, due to many other bills like Education Reform, Death Penalty repeal, Sunday sales etc taking priority.  We also faced very significant opposition by the Toy Industry Association who lobbied every day to oppose SB 274. 

victory! because of clean water action members!

After months of uncertainty, the Connecticut General Assembly just voted during a special legislative session to continue energy conservation programs for oil customers! We were pleased by bipartisan support for these provisions during the debate, and expect the governor to sign this bill into law shortly.

“Clean Water Action applauds Energy and Technology committee co-chairs Representative Nardello and Senator Fonfara for working closely with legislative leaders and the governor’s office to ensure heating oil customers can continue to access critical energy savings programs,” stated Roger Smith, Clean Water Action’s Energy Program Director. “Connecticut’s best tool to fight high energy prices are programs like Home Energy Solutions. With this fix we can continue to work to improve and expand access to programs which make energy conservation simple and affordable for residents."

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With chants of "People have a right to know! Toxic chemicals have to go!" and "Chems in kids, that's the worst, time to put the people first!" Approximately 200 moms, nurses, cancer survivors and other passionate citizens from across the United States gathered in Washington DC on May 22nd for a Stroller Brigade for Safe Chemicals organized by Safer Chemicals Healthy Families.  

Clean Water Action is coordinating outreach for this innovative effort to help residents of 14 towns save energy and save money on their utility bills.  Clean Water Action and a corps of recent college graduates are working closely with municipal leaders and local volunteers to help communities come together around the goal of helping 10% of households cut their energy use 20% over a 3 year period.

Visit this page for more information.

Make Connecticut Safe & Healthy! The CSHC February Newsletter

• Federal Update: Safe Chemicals Act
• State update: Help CT Lead the Way!
• CSHC in the news
• New Members
• Our New Look
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Welcome!  This page is a resource for task force/energy group leaders in CT.  Be sure to check out the many resources listed below, and don't hesitate to write to Justin Haaheim, our lead organizer for municipalities, at jhaaheim@cleanwater.org. 

Resources 

Clean Water maintains a handful of useful resources for municipal leaders across the state including a contacts/resources directory and various guides on organizing, clean energy, energy efficiency and related topics.  You can access those in this google docs folder: http://bitly.com/cwactpublic

Here are a few of those resources:

And how you can join us

• - Learn more
• - Sign up for our emails
• - Spread the word - tell your friends
  
• - Send a message to the President
• - Find out how your elected officials voted
• - Give to the Clean Water Movement today!
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