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Refrigerators manufactured before 1994 use twice as much electricity of today's models?
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Agencies & Organizations [top]
  • Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
    Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is the agency charged with regulating heating oil dealers, propane retailers and HVAC professionals. Consumer complaints related to these services or home improvements related to energy efficiency can be submitted to Consumer Protection. There is a guarantee fund established that provides up to $15,000 worth of protection to consumers using a Connecticut Registered home Improvement Contractor.
    http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=1621&q=274434&dcpNav=|
  • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
    The DEP is the agency charged with ensuring the conservation, improvement, and protection of Connecticut's environment while also encouraging the social and economic development of the state. This site is one part of the DEP that deals with energy in CT. The site provides information on efficiency, climate change, biomass, and biodiesel, and links to many state and federal sites.
    http://www.dep.state.ct.us/wst/P2/energy/index.htm
  • Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC)
    The DPUC is the state agency responsible for safe, adequate and reliable service of public utilities. Their site provides general information about the DPUC as well as specific information on utilities, updates on docket records, consumer assistance, and forms for filing documents with the DPUC.
    http://www.state.ct.us/dpuc
  • Connecticut Energy Advisory Board (CEAB)
    Responsibilities of the CEAB include creating an annual energy plan for the state, representing the state in ISO New England's regional energy system planning process, encouraging municipalities affected by proposed projects to participate in regional planning, and developing preferential standards for issuing and evaluating requests for proposals related to energy projects in the state. The site includes meeting information, the Board's Energy Plan for Connecticut and CEAB news.
    http://www.ctenergy.org
  • Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC)
    The OCC is an independent state agency with statutory responsibility to represent customers of Connecticut's five regulated utilities (electric, gas, water, telephone, and cable television), primarily in matters that go before the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). The OCC's website contains information for consumers about each utility, how to participate in a DPUC hearing, and how to file a complaint.
    http://www.ct.gov/occ/site/default.asp
  • Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Energy Management and Policy Development Unit (OPM)
    The Energy Unit has a number of responsibilities regarding energy management in State owned and leased buildings and purchasing of energy resources for State facilities. This site includes state, national, and international energy data, information on grants provided by the Unit, and conservation tips for consumers.
    http://www.opm.state.ct.us/pdpd2/energy/enserv.htm
  • Connecticut Siting Council
    The Connecticut Siting Council's mission is to objectively balance the statewide public need for adequate and reliable services at the lowest cost to consumers with the need to protect the environment and ecology of the state. The Siting Council has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the siting of facilities under its jurisdiction, while municipal zoning and inland wetland commissions may regulate and restrict electric generation facilities, and electric substations. The site contains meeting proceedings, application guides, and public participation information.
    http://www.ct.gov/csc/site/default.asp
  • Connecticut General Assembly Energy and Technology Committee
    The committee of the Connecticut General Assembly that has cognizance of all matters relating to the department of Public Utility Control and energy planning and activities. The site includes information on the committee and its members, meeting and agenda records, and public hearing transcripts.
    http://www.cga.ct.gov/et/
  • Connecticut General Assembly Environment Committee
    The Connecticut General Assembly Environment Committee has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Environmental Protection, including conservation, recreation, pollution control, fisheries and game, state parks and forests, water resources and flood and erosion control; and all matters relating to the Department of Agriculture, including farming, dairy products and domestic animals.
    http://www.cga.ct.gov/env/
  • ACEEE
    The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a non-profit organization, advancing energy-efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.

    http://www.aceee.org
Clean Energy Choices [top]
  • Connecticut CleanEnergy Fund (CCEF)
    The Clean Energy Fund was established to promote clean and renewable energy use in Connecticut. The site contains information on clean and renewable energy sources, current and previous investments made by the Fund and information about how to apply for funding.
    http://www.ctcleanenergy.com
  • SmartPower
    SmartPower is a non-profit organization that promotes clean, non-polluting renewable energy as a way to improve the quality of health and life for our community. The site contains information on the organization, problems caused by pollution, possible energy solutions, and how the individuals and groups can purchase green power or become an advocate for renewable energy sources.
    http://www.smartpower.org
  • Community Energy
    A participant in the CTCleanEnergyOptionsSM Program. This voluntary program allows customers to support cleaner renewable forms of electricity, such as wind and landfill, while still receiving their supply from either The Connecticut Light and Power Company or The United Illuminating Company. Customers pay a small monthly premium that supports the production of cleaner power from electric generators using renewable energy resources.
    http://www.NewWindEnergy.com
  • Sterling Planet
    A participant in the CTCleanEnergyOptionsSM Program. This voluntary program allows customers to support cleaner renewable forms of electricity, such as wind, water and organic bioenergy or landfill gas, while still receiving their supply from either The Connecticut Light and Power Company or The United Illuminating Company. Customers pay a small monthly premium that supports the production of cleaner power from electric generators using renewable energy resources.
    http://www.sterlingplanet.com
  • Solar Connecticut
    The site was developed by undergraduate engineering students at the University of Hartford who are working as solar energy interns with CT Clean Energy Fund and the Engineering Application Center at the University of Hartford. The site includes information on the use of solar energy, news and events, consumer information, education and resource links.
    http://www.solarconnecticut.org/
  • The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
    The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy.
    http://www.dsireusa.org
  • CTCleanEnergyOptions
    The CTCleanEnergyOptions program was developed as a collaborative effort under the direction of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC), the state agency responsible for regulating electric utilities and markets. The collaboration included the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, an independent state agency responsible for representing customers of Connecticut's regulated utilities.
    http://www.ctcleanenergyoptions.com/
Energy Assistance Research Links [top] Energy Education [top] Energy Related Financial Incentives and Loans [top] Energy Related Links [top] Environmental Issues [top]
  • Connecticut Climate Change
    In 2003, nearly 100 organizations collaborated to develop a set of recommendations for reducing Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions. The culmination of those efforts is an action plan called .Connecticut Climate Change Stakeholders Dialog: Recommendations to the Governor's Steering Committee.. This site contains information about climate change, the initiatives which comprise the plan, news, and events.
    http://www.ctclimatechange.com
  • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
    The DEP is the agency charged with ensuring the conservation, improvement, and protection of Connecticut's environment while also encouraging the social and economic development of the state. This site is one part of the DEP that deals with energy in CT. The site provides information on efficiency, climate change, biomass, and biodiesel, and links to many state and federal sites.
    http://www.dep.state.ct.us/wst/P2/energy/index.htm
  • Connecticut Energy Advisory Board (CEAB)
    Responsibilities of the CEAB include creating an annual energy plan for the state, representing the state in ISO New England's regional energy system planning process, encouraging municipalities affected by proposed projects to participate in regional planning, and developing preferential standards for issuing and evaluating requests for proposals related to energy projects in the state. The site includes meeting information, the Board's Energy Plan for Connecticut and CEAB news.
    http://www.ctenergy.org
  • Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center
    The CGFCC is a partnership between the UConn School of Engineering, Connecticut Innovations Inc., and Connecticut industry. The CGFCC serves as a focal point for fuel cell education, development and deployment. The website provides information about the CGFCC, the research done by the Center, and the CGFCC's educational outreach program.
    http://www.ctfuelcell.uconn.edu
  • Connecticut Green Building Council (CTGBC)
    The CTGBC is the CT chapter of the US Green Building Council. The goal of the CTGBC is to provide education about the design and construction of high performance energy efficient buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and provide a safer and healthier place to work and live. The site provides information about the organization, links to other green building resources (mostly national organizations), information about energy efficient buildings in CT, and general information on green buildings and the LEED rating system.
    http://www.ctgbc.org
  • Institute for Sustainable Energy at ECSU (ISE)
    The ISE was established to identify, develop, and implement the means for achieving a sustainable energy future. The website provides information on the core activities of the Institute: educational outreach, energy sustainability information, energy solutions, and public policy.
    http://www.sustainenergy.org
  • Environment Northeast
    Environment Northeast is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization working to implement effective solutions to the region's environmental challenges. They address large-scale environmental problems that threaten regional ecosystems, human health or the management of regionally significant natural resources, primarily in a bioregional ecosystem including New England and eastern Canada.
    http://www.env-ne.org/
  • Connecticut CleanEnergy Fund (CCEF)
    The Clean Energy Fund was established to promote clean and renewable energy use in Connecticut. The site contains information on clean and renewable energy sources, current and previous investments made by the Fund and information about how to apply for funding.
    http://www.ctcleanenergy.com
  • U. S.Department of Energy - The Environment
    The Department of Energy Environment section provide the information about the environment related tasks DOE has, which include cleaning up contaminated sites and disposing of radioactive waste left behind as a byproduct of nuclear weapons production, nuclear powered naval vessels and commercial nuclear energy production.
    http://www.energy.gov/environment/index.htm
Financing Programs [top] Green Buildings [top] Incentive Programs [top] Low Income Energy Related Studies [top]
  • Heat or Eat: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program andNutritional and Health Risks Among Children Less Than 3 Years of Age
    A new study released Nov. 6th by the Boston University School of Medicine shows that children living in households receiving energy assistance were less likely to be undernourished, less likely to suffer from childhood obesity and had lower odds of being hospitalized than children in comparable households not receiving aid. The study, conducted by the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) assessed the relationship between participation in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the growth and development of young children. The study clearly helps to support the case for adequate funding for LIHEAP.
    http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/118/5/e1293
  • Seasonal Variation in Food Insecurity Is Associated with Heating and Cooling Costs among Low-Income Elderly Americans
    In this study we examine the association between household food insecurity and seasonally high heating and cooling costs. Logistic regression models, controlling for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, were estimated using data on household food security and economic and demographic data from the 1995.2001 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplements and state-level data on heating and cooling degree days from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Low-income households, especially those consisting entirely of elderly persons, experienced substantial seasonal differences in the incidence of very low food security (the more severe range of food insecurity) in areas with high winter heating costs and high summer cooling costs. In high-cooling states, the odds of very low food security for poor, elderly only households were 27% higher in the summer than in the winter. In high-heating states, the pattern was reversed for such households; the odds of very low food security were 43% lower in the summer. In light of recent sharp increases in home heating and cooling costs in many parts of the U.S., it is important to understand the extent to which households make tradeoffs between heating and cooling costs and other basic needs that affect their food security.
    http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/11/2939
Resolving Utility Problems [top] Tax Incentives [top]
  • Energy Policy Act 2005 Federal Tax Deductions and Credits (IRS)
    The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) created tax deductions and credits for the installations of many energy efficiency measures. These deductions and credits are applicable to both business and residential homeowners under different sets of guidelines. Homeowners can receive credits for a percentage of the cost of specific eligible measures installed. Commercial property owners can earn a tax deduction for improvements relative to ASHRAE 90.1-2004 baseline standards. These deductions fall into three areas of concentration: Interior lighting; heating, cooling ventilation and hot water systems; and building envelope. Consult a tax specialist for specific information.
    http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=153397,00.html
  • Investment Tax Credits (IRS)
    Standard investment tax credits for business. This credit can be used deducted against capital improvement expenses. These expenses generally include rehabilitation expenses and specifically include solar energy systems, geothermal energy systems, and micro turbines. See form instructions for form 3468 .Investment Credit. for more information. Consult a tax specialist for specific information.
    http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3468.pdf
  • Production Tax Credits (IRS)
    This is a corporate tax credit in which the Energy policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), Section 1301, extended the Renewable Electricity Production Credit (REPC) through 12/31/07. This is a per kWh tax credit for electricity generated by qualified energy resources. Resources included are: wind energy, geothermal energy, closed and open-loop biomass, poultry-waste energy, solar energy, small irrigation power, landfill gas, municipal solid waste combustion and refined coal. Consult a tax specialist for specific information.
    http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/US33F3.pdf
  • Accelerated Depreciation (IRS)
    This is a standard business deduction which allows you to recover your cost in business or income-producing property through yearly tax deductions. You do this by depreciating your property, that is, by deducting some of your cost on your tax return each year. You can depreciate both tangible property, such as a car, building, or machinery, and certain intangible property, such as a copyright or a patent. This deduction can apply to energy efficiency equipment as well. Consult a tax specialist for specific information.
    http://www.irs.gov/publications/p534/ar01.html
  • Brownfields Tax Incentives (IRS)
    This is a specific tax incentive designed to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up and revitalize former industrial or commercial areas that were abandoned due to concerns about environmental contamination. EPA and its federal partners believe that, with the right incentives, these former engines of industrial growth can once again generate value for both the private and public sectors. These areas are "brownfields," which EPA defines as "abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination." These properties may be large or small; urban or rural; former factories or warehouses. They have all been left idle due to concerns about cleanup costs and legal liabilities. Old industrial facilities which can be converted to light manufacturing and incorporate distributed generation can be considered for Brownfield Incentives along with the many other energy efficiency related tax breaks.
    http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/html-doc/btaxguid.htm
  • CT State Sales Tax Exemption (CT Dept. of Revenue)
    In the October 2005 Special Session, The CT state legislature passed Public Act 05-2 and PA 05-4. providing for a sales tax holiday on specific residential weatherization products from November 25, 2005 to April 1, 2006. PA 06-187 signed in May of 2006 established a continuation of the exemption from June 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. This exemption covers the following home conservation items and energy-efficient appliances: Programmable thermostats; Window film; Caulking of a type marketed for preventing drafts, such as window and door caulking; Window and door weather strips, including door sweeps; Insulation, for example attic and wall insulation, spray foam insulation, water pipe insulation, heating duct insulation, and switch and outlet insulators; Water heater blankets; Water heaters; Boilers- only sales of boilers that meet the federal Energy Star standard qualify for the exclusion (Energy Star qualified boilers have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 85% or greater.); Natural gas furnaces that meet the federal Energy Star standard; Propane furnaces that meet the federal Energy Star standard; Windows that meet the federal Energy Star standard (Note that storm windows do not have an Energy Star standard and are not included in this tax exclusion.); Doors that meet the federal Energy Star standard (Note that storm doors do not have an Energy Star standard and are not included in this tax exclusion.); Oil furnaces that are not less than 85% efficient based on the AFUE rating; and Ground-based heat pumps that meet the minimum federal energy efficiency rating.
    http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?A=1436&Q=314988
  • Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
    The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will develop the final rules and forms to clarify which products and services qualify for the tax credits. Please note, not all homes, appliances, and products with the ENERGY STAR label qualify for a tax credit.
    http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits
Utility Information [top]