This one is from the EPA: For Cornwall, another green energy award

CORNWALL — An energy award for Cornwall may seem to be routine by now.

But this latest one was given to select towns around the entire country by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Cornwall is one of only 20 communities in the nation named a winner in the Green Power Community Challenge.

The award will be presented by an EPA representative on Monday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

Winners in the year-long competition reached the dual goal of top use of green power and the highest percentages of total electricity use from renewable resources.

Cornwall began a serious push even before its February 2007 resolution to join the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s 20 percent by 2010 initiative (CCEF). It formed an Energy Task Force that has kept the momentum going with energy forums and small grants.

The solar voltaic system that was installed last year at Cornwall Consolidated School was an award for meeting, and exceeding, CCEF goals.

But that base system supplies only about 5 percent of the school’s needs.

The push over the top of the EPA goals began with  individuals and business owners taking the first step by simply signing up to receive power from renewable resources.

The task force won’t be resting on its laurels for more than a few minutes. Chairman Katherine Freygang said the volunteers will use this as an incentive for even more nonstop effort.

“The award ceremony part of the evening will be very short,†Freygang said of the Nov. 15 event. “We want to promote three or four wonderful programs to help communities with the greening of their infrastructure. The EPA has devised a very easy-to-use online reference framework with everything anyone could ever need to fulfill grant program requirements. It’s exactly what is needed to help us all continue to move ahead.â€

Freygang sees it as bridging the gap between good intentions and navigating what has been a complicated and time-consuming process of finding the means to meet green goals.

Included on a panel discussion will be Bob Wall, of the CCEF, and Linda Darveau, from the EPA’s Region One office in Boston.

Selectmen and energy task force members from surrounding towns have been invited, as is the general public. A buffet dinner will be provided.

It is possible the event will coincide with a first look at a solar voltaic installation planned for this month to supply all electrical needs at Town Hall and the office annex.

Rumors circulate occasionally that the more-than-$90,000 installation at Cornwall Consolidated School includes a panel array erected near the front of the school that is there merely for show.

The real story is that the original plan to mount panels on the school roof was not feasible. A hillside behind the gym offered a good alternative, but there was room for only two of the three needed arrays.

“The spot by the front driveway was the only place we had for it. We got to calling it the ‘glamour pole’ because it was so visible,†Freygang said. “But it is fully operational.â€

Ironically, when the town first began planning for its earned system, CCEF encouraged a plan for a high-profile installation to promote solar energy.

Local opinion was divided, but reaction now is generally one of pride and of wanting to continue to learn the clean energy way.

For the event on Nov. 15, RSVP to kfreygang@aol.com.

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