Middletown Wins Grant for Residential Energy Efficiency Outreach – Middletown, CT Patch

MIDDLETOWN, CT — (From City Hall): The City of Middletown was recently selected by the Sponsors of Energize Connecticut, Eversource and United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc., to receive up to a $55,000 grant through its Community Partnership Initiative.

In an effort to make energy efficiency affordable and accessible to all, this new program strives to provide local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities with grants to further energy efficiency adoption and educate residents and businesses on the energy efficiency solutions available to them.

This grant supports outreach to encourage participation in Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible and heat pump adoption. Participating residents will work with an Eversource approved contractor who will help guide weatherization and other energy efficiency measures in their home.

Mayor Ben Florsheim encourages all residents to take advantage of this program.

“City residents are struggling with rising gas and food prices,” Florsheim said. “Helping residents minimize expenses couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Middletown Public Works Director Chris Holden said, “Over 30% of the energy consumed in the state is used to heat and cool buildings. Leaky, drafty homes waste energy and cost more money. Participating in the energy assessment and service is a great way to evaluate where a home can be more energy efficient, address those areas, and lower residents’ energy bills, and make homes more comfortable.”

To apply, participants outlined specific outreach goals, methods, and efforts that they plan to implement through the Community Partnership Initiative. Additionally, all applicants were asked to describe the role of local stakeholders in their efforts including any community-based organizations they partnered with on their application, as well as how their anticipated funding will allow them to help their community save money and energy.

The City of Middletown’s project focuses on the following two goals:

The first is to demonstrate actions that will lead to a 5 percent increase in homes participating in Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible and the second is to demonstrate actions that will lead to a 15% increase in the number of rebates submitted for heat pumps replacing electric resistance heat.

“The Community Partnership Initiative is a unique way to reach people in different communities, further energy efficiency program participation and help them lower their energy bills and usage year-round – it’s a win-win for all involved,” said Eversource Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner.

Information on the program will be available at the Composting and Recycling table at the Middletown Farmers Market every Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the South Green.

Residents can sign up by contacting the Middletown Recycling Coordinator at recycling@middletownct.gov or 860-638-4855 or by calling 1-877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873).

For more information on the Community Partnership Initiative, visit here.