The State of Connecticut is implementing many actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state government facilities and operations. Learn from CT state agency climate heroes and join in by by taking the steps below.

Create High Performance Buildings

 

The Department of Public Works has developed and administered, through design and construction, a number of state facility “Green Building” projects based on standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.  The LEED Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary standard for achieving the goal of producing a new generation of buildings that deliver high performance inside and out.

Join the State Agency Energy Roundtable

The Energy Roundtable is a quarterly meeting of state agency facility managers to help them implement cost and energy saving actions. For more information, contact Maraide Sullivan, Office of Policy and Management, 860-418-6371.

Train and Certify Your Building Operators

Properly trained building operators can improve the efficiency of building energy systems and avoid costs of unnecessary energy use.  The Office of Policy and Management offers Level 1 and Level 2 Building Operator Certification courses to municipal and state agency building management personnel.  For course schedules and information, contact Maraide Sullivan, Office of Policy and Management, 860-418-6371.

Reduce Energy Use and Costs

The Energy Management Unit of the Office of Policy and Management seeks to maximize efficiency, minimize consumption and cost, meet or exceed environmental standards, and utilize new technologies and clean and renewable energy sources in a manner that enables state agencies to meet diverse missions. View plans and services for energy management at state agencies.

The Energy Unit of the Department of Public Works is involved with two distinct areas of energy conservation for state buildings: (1) existing building retrofit projects and (2) coordination of utility program involvement for state-owned new construction and major renovation projects.

 

The DPW Energy Unit is responsible for review and approval of Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) submissions for all state-funded new buildings, additions or renovations. This includes not only state-owned buildings, but also state-funded municipal school projects. Connecticut General Statutes Section 16a-38 requires that design professionals perform a LCCA for all state-owned or funded new buildings, additions or renovations, in order to evaluate all reasonable alternate designs for life cycle cost effectiveness.

Green Your Agency

 

State and local governments can “lead by example” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve operating budgets.  Click on this link to take the following actions to green your agency:

• Purchase Environmentally Preferable Products

• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at Work
• Start a Composting Program
• Choose Organic Land Care
• Take Action on Climate
• Manage Electronics and E-Waste
• Green Your Events and Training
• Encourage Clean Commuting
• Maintain State Vehicles

Buy Locally Grown Foods

Many state agencies including Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Retardation, and public universities are reducing emissions from long-distance food transport by buying locally grown produce. You can find information on locally grown products at BuyCTGrown.com. State contracts are available on the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing web page.

Participate in Demand Response

The CT State Agency Demand Response Program, managed by OPM, reduces peak electrical load during periods of high demand through commitments from individual electricity accounts to remove load from the electrical grid. Through this program, participating state agencies remove electric load from the grid when requested by the electric grid operator ISO-New England and receive payments for providing this capability. For more information contact Greg Fitzpatrick ,860 418-6262.

Share Your Successes, Be Recognized

Tell us what your agency is doing to address climate change, submit a nomination for a Climate Change Leadership Award.

Learn from CT State Agency Climate Heroes