New Haven Can Benefit From More Clean Energy

Report

Across Connecticut, clean energy is booming – reducing pollution, cleaning our air, creating jobs and saving money. Contributing to the boom is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative – America’s best regional clean air and climate program – which is limiting pollution and generating funding for clean energy programs.

But we can do much more. We have the tools to power our society entirely with clean energy sources like the wind and the sun, while also using energy more efficiently. Clean energy can help protect New Haven from the worst impacts of global warming, such as sea-level rise, and build a healthier and more prosperous future.

To accelerate our progress, Connecticut and other New England states should double the strength of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to help create an even stronger market for clean energy.

Here’s how more clean energy can benefit New Haven – and Connecticut: 

Connecticut Has Immense Renewable Energy Potential

New England could generate nearly 14 times more electricity with solar and wind power than it uses in the course of a year. Tapping even a fraction of that potential could enable Connecticut to power itself with clean energy. 

Clean Energy Can Replace Dirty Fuels

Connecticut has the potential to generate more than twice as much electricity from wind and solar as is currently produced by polluting fuels, like gas, in the state. 

New Haven’s Rooftops Can Generate Clean Electricity Locally

Nearly 8 out of 10 small buildings in New Haven have the potential to host rooftop solar panels – providing reliable electricity for residents and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Connecticut Has Tremendous, Untapped Wind Energy Potential

Connecticut has the potential to produce enough power with onshore and offshore wind turbines to power all the homes in Connecticut twice over. 

Energy Efficiency Is Saving Money and Cutting Pollution

Connecticut ranks 5th (tied with New York State) among states for energy efficiency, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Energy efficiency programs implemented in 2015 in Connecticut saved enough energy to power all of the homes in New Haven. 

Clean Energy Creates Jobs

Nearly 2,000 people in Connecticut are employed in solar energy jobs. 

Renewable Energy is Good Business

Businesses and organizations in New Haven and across Connecticut benefit from a growing clean energy economy. For example, thanks in part to funding from Connecticut’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, East Haven-based Calabro Cheese has made its manufacturing process more energy efficient. The family-owned company used funding to make energy-saving upgrades, including to lighting and refrigeration, saving tens of thousands of dollars annually, while reducing carbon pollution. 

Stronger Action Will Make Us Healthier

Clean air means better health. In its first six years, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative saved 20 lives in Connecticut and prevented 2,000 missed work days due to respiratory illness, according to Abt Associates. Cutting pollution faster would save even more lives and improve public health in Connecticut. 

Stronger Action Will Boost Our Economy

Between 2009 and 2014, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative boosted Connecticut’s economy by $255 million, according to reports by Analysis Group. Doubling the strength of the program as part of a larger climate change program could reduce energy bills in the nine participating states by $25 billion and create nearly 60,000 new jobs, according to a report by the Sierra Club. 

Connecticut Should Take the Lead

Connecticut has set strong goals on clean energy and fighting climate change – now it’s time to achieve them. Governor Malloy should double the pace at which Connecticut is cutting pollution and investing in clean energy. In 2017, the state should strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to cut carbon pollution by 5 percent per year – and persuade neighboring states to do the same. 

Citations:

1. Pg 1: Renewable potential chart heading Renewable energy potential: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “United States Renewable Energy Technical Potential,” 2012 for wind, 2016 for solar, available at: www.nrel.gov/gis/re_potential.html; Current consumption: U.S. Energy Information Administration, “State Electricity Profiles,” 2015, available at: www.eia.gov/electricity/state

2. Pg 2: “polluting fuels, like gas, in the state.” Renewable energy potential: Ibid., Fossil fuel generation: U.S. Energy Information Administration, “State Electric Power Industry Generation by Primary Energy Source,” 2014, available at www.eia.gov/electricity/data/state

3. Pg 2: “data from the U.S. Department of Energy.” U.S. Department of Energy, State & Local Energy Data, “Buildings and Industry Summary,” available at apps1.eere.energy.gov/sled/#

4. Pg 2: “STATE X times over.” Wind potential: see note 1; Household energy usage: U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Average Monthly Residential Electricity Consumption, Prices, and Bills by State,” available at www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=97&t=3; Homes: U.S. Census Bureau, “Quick Facts,” available at www.census.gov/quickfacts

5. Pg 3: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, “State Energy Efficiency Scorecard,” 2016, available at aceee.org/state-policy/scorecard

6. “homes in PLACE X times.” Savings: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, “Net Incremental Savings From Electricity Efficiency,” 2015, available at database.aceee.org/sites/default/files/docs/spending-savings-tables.pdf; Home energy usage: Household energy usage: U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Average Monthly Residential Electricity Consumption, Prices, and Bills by State,” available at www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=97&t=3; Homes: U.S. Census Bureau, “QuickFacts.”

7. pg 3: The Solar Foundation, 2015 National and State Solar Jobs Census, www.thesolarfoundation.org/solar-jobs-census

8. Pg 3: RGGI, Inc., “Success Stories Archive,” accessed 16 November 2016, archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20161116223713/https://www.rggi.org/rggi_ben…

9. Pg 4: “due to respiratory illness.” Abt Associates, Analysis of the Public Health Impacts of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, 2009-2014, January 2017

10. pg 4: “according to reports by Analysis Group.” Analysis Group, The Economic Impacts of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States, First and Second Three-Year Compliance Reviews, 2011 and 2015

11. pg 4: “report by the Sierra Club.” Sierra Club, Pace Energy and Climate Center, and Chesapeake Climate Action Network, The RGGI Opportunity 2.0, 4 March 2016