Fall Certification Deadline: August 18 | | |
The application deadline for the 2026 fall certification cycle is quickly approaching: Tuesday, August 18, at noon.
We encourage municipalities to submit application materials early, if possible. And remember, answers to your questions are just an email away: info@sustainablect.org.
August 18 is also the deadline for our Climate Leader Designation, celebrating municipalities that are reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions while saving money, improving public health, and building community.
For more information and guidance, see the Certification Overview section of our website. We're looking forward to certifying your town this year!
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The Next Sustainable CT Coffee Hour:
Thursday, August 20, at 10 a.m.
Environmentally preferable purchasing
The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Procurement Division supports sustainable purchasing through its Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program. The program helps state agencies, municipalities, political subdivisions, and nonprofits use the state’s buying power to choose products and services that are better for the environment. DAS’s Sustainability Manager Ryan Ensling will discuss the process of establishing a new policy around EPP, an updated website with several resources, and future planning.
REGISTER for AUGUST 20>
You can join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal discussions most third Thursdays of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
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August's IMPACT: Urban & Community Forestry Systems
A database lovely as a tree
This summer's cohort of Sustainable CT Fellows analyzed data from all 169 Connecticut municipalities to build the first of its kind database of tree ordinances and zoning laws. Guiding them through the process was Dr. Danica Doroski, urban forestry coordinator with the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and Drew Goldsman, urban conservation director with The Nature Conservancy. Doroski and Goldsman join guest hosts Anna Hilary and Grace DiTunno to talk about the project and how it could inform and benefit municipal decision-making in the area of urban and community forestry.
Guest producers for this month's show are Fellows Natalie Crowley and Maya Avilés. Jim Hunt just smiles and waves.
This month's episode of the IMPACT will be available on August 15 at sustainablect.org, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Community Match Fund
Superheroes power up at the park
Superhero Training Corps is raising funds for Power Up at the Park, a free, family fun, outdoor adventure day at Machimoodus State Park in East Haddam. They're partnering with Friends of Machimoodus & Sunrise State Parks to bring families, children, volunteers, and local organizations together for a hands-on day of environmental action and outdoor learning. The event will include a community cleanup, nature scavenger hunt, obstacle course, target accuracy game, and partner-led educational activities focused on sustainability, conservation, and caring for the world around us. C'mon, be a superhero!
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No-cost Assistance Partner Of The Month
Watch for Me CT
Watch for Me CT is a bicycle and pedestrian education program spearheaded by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) and the Injury Prevention Center at Connecticut Children’s. More information about their work is available at watchformect.org.
Watch for Me CT can help your municipality draft a Safety Education Plan, tailored to the needs of your community. These plans can include elements such as social media tiles, educational resources, participation in events, and presentations to help inform residents about infrastructure and road safety issues specific to your area. Plans can range from a series of social media posts to a multi-pronged approach that includes several educational activities.
To connect with Watch for Me CT, please email info@sustainablect.org.
Actions Targeted: 6.1 Implement Complete Streets, and 6.5 Promote Public Transit and Other Mobility Strategies.
| Learn about all the no-cost assistance programs we're making available to communities working on Sustainable CT actions. | |
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Fellows Tour Dominion Energy's Millstone Facility
Nuclear power remains controversial. Ever thus. On the one hand, it is "clean" energy. According to Dominion, its Millstone nuclear power station, parts of which are now over 50 years old, generates more than 90 percent of the state’s carbon-free electricity, preventing 8.3 million metric tons of CO2 from being released each year. On the other hand, compared to other forms of carbon-free power (solar, wind, even geothermal), nuclear power is expensive. To build even a small nuclear power plant in the US today could cost as much as $15 billion according to the MIT Climate Portal. And then there's the nagging issue of what to do with the waste.
Still, given the current volume of greenhouse gas emissions, and the current pace of global warming, it is a controversy we dare not shy away from. We need to learn, have the debate, and make informed decisions.
That's why our Sustainable CT Fellows toured Dominion Energy's Millstone nuclear power plant in East Lyme in July. They visited the Simulation Room, learned about the plant's function and infrastructure, and reviewed emergency preparedness practices.
Our thanks to Dominion for affording us the opportunity. It was a profound and important learning experience - precisely of a sort that makes our Sustainable CT Fellowship truly meaningful, and our search for timely, effective answers to climate change possible.
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NY Times and PluginSolarUS: Where Are The Plug-In Solar Panels?
According to the NY Times (subscription required), ten U.S. states - not including Connecticut - have legalized solar systems that can be plugged into standard wall outlets, technology that typically doesn't require permits or electricians. But PlugInSolarUS claims that, with HB 5340 signed into law on May 20, 2026, Connecticut is among six states to permit plug-in solar; the act doesn't take effect until October 1, however. With the highest residential electricity rates in the continental US at $0.286/kWh, PlugInSolarUS estimates that Connecticut residents could save $315+ per year from a single plug-in solar system.
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CT Green Bank and Solar United Neighbors Promote "Switch Together" Program
Connecticut Green Bank and Solar United Neighbors (SUN) are encouraging municipalities to collaborate with them to access Switch Together's affordable, group buying power for residential solar and battery storage. A free, trusted, turnkey solar and storage program for residents, Switch Together combines group-buying power, a solar help desk, educational content, digital and mail promotion, outreach support and installer vetting. Find more information on the Green Bank’s website or reach out to Jason Velazquez at CT Green Bank.
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United Way Of Coastal And Western CT Community Impact Newsletter
The United Way Community Impact newsletter for August is full of resources, jobs, events, cultural and educational opportunities, and more in Norwalk, Bridgeport, Danbury, and New Milford. Check it out.
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DEEP Info And Opportunities
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) provides updates on services and opportunities that may be of interest to municipalities through its email blast and its Climate Solutions newsletter. State and federal funding, agency programs, webinars and events, public hearings, announcements, jobs, and tools for municipalities - they've got it all.
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Project Drawdown: How Data Center Development Must Change
Whether AI will accelerate climate action or exacerbate climate change – or have little impact either way – remains to be seen. However, the toll that the data center boom is already having on communities and climate solutions is clearer. 'Data centers can’t come at the cost of community health and climate solutions,' writes Amanda Smith.
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YPCCC: How Local Governments Can Use Communication To Drive Climate Action
Due to the current U.S. federal climate landscape, there’s never been a stronger need for local governments to make progress on climate change, says the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC). They've announced the publication of their latest short report, How Local Governments Can Use Communication to Drive Climate Action.
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CT Green Bank Launches 17th Green Liberty Notes Offering
CGB Green Liberty Notes LLC, a subsidiary of the Connecticut Green Bank, announced the launch of its 17th investment offering to Connecticut residents and investors nationwide. Offered quarterly, Green Liberty Notes are designed for accessibility, feature a one-year term, and can be purchased with a low minimum investment of $100 through Green Bank’s partnership with Honeycomb Credit, using its online crowdfunding platform.
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Save the Date(ish)!
We'll be honoring all of our 2026 certified towns and a brand new cohort of Climate Leaders at------well, we're not entirely sure where at this writing. And we still need to pin down the exact date, too, but it will most likely be during the second week of November.
So, please do keep your calendar open for us for early November as we work out the details. Your hard work and continuing support are of vital importance to us, so we hope to see you at our 2026 Annual Awards Celebration!
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Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available!
Join us in working for a better Connecticut. By sponsoring our 2026 Awards Celebration, you'll be aligned with our reputation as a trusted and valuable support program for municipal leaders and an innovative thought-leader in building thriving, sustainable communities. Don't wait: contact Jessica LeClair, 860-259-4767, to discuss options and details.
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CT Agricultural Experiment Station To Hold 116th Plant Science Day
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s (CAES) Plant Science Day is held at Lockwood Farm on the first Wednesday of August every year, beginning in 1910. This one-day event features reports on research, field plots, barn exhibits, tours, and other opportunities for Connecticut residents and attendees to discuss many topics of plant science on an informal basis and interact with CAES scientists and staff. Free and open to the public, rain or shine. No pets, please (service animals only). August 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 890 Evergreen Ave., Hamden.
MORE INFO>
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Farmington River Watershed Association To Remove Chestnut Plants In Bloomfield
Join the Farmington River Watershed Association for their third year of removing invasive water chestnut plants from Barber's Pond in Bloomfield. August 7 and 21, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfield.
SIGN UP TODAY>
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Land Trust of West Haven: Coastal Conversations at Eco Park
Join the Land Trust of West Haven for this inaugural Coastal Conversations series. The events take place on select Sundays at 10:00 a.m. from July through October and feature talks about coastal topics, wildlife, habitats, and ways to help. Free and open to the public. No registration required. August 9 and 23, 10 to 11 a.m., Eco Park, 1 Palace St., West Haven.
LEARN MORE>
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DEEP: Grant Opportunity Under The New England Heat Pump Accelerator Program
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released a Community Grants Program associated with the New England Heat Pump Accelerator Program, providing between $100,000 - $500,000 for municipalities or nonprofits to test innovative approaches for overcoming local barriers to heat pump adoption in low- and moderate-income households and neighborhoods. No match is required. Applications are due August 14th.
LEARN MORE and REQUEST AN APPLICATION>
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DEEP To Hold Disaster Planning & Preparedness Online Workshop
Join the Connecticut Department for Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) for Disaster Preparedness Training designed for rural and small community water and wastewater systems. This interactive session will cover how to prepare for natural and human-caused hazards and develop effective Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). Learn practical steps to protect your utility, meet regulatory requirements, and build resilience through planning, and resource coordination. Participants will gain tools, templates, and strategies to respond confidently when disasters strike. August 25, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
REGISTER>
| | We Tour Casella's Next-Gen Recycling Facility | | |
Let's talk trash
Sustainable CT Executive Director Jess LeClair, Sustainable CT Fellow Anna Hilary, and the Town of Mansfield's Sustainability & Solid Waste Coordinator (and former Sustainable CT Fellow) Dylan Steer, had the opportunity to tour Casella's Material Recycling Facility (MRF) located in Willimantic.
Recycling faces a lot of challenges - the cost of collection and processing is going up while the demand for recycled material continues to fall worldwide ever since its peak in 2015. Casella is finding new, more efficient methods of processing to reduce the per-ton cost. Their MRF facility currently processes more than 60,000 tons of recyclables annually and has recently undergone a complete retrofit. The upgrades have resulted in the company’s ability to process up to 165,000 tons of material and provide best-in-class recycling operations.
Take a video tour of the facility to learn more about Casella's recycling process.
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