Coventry man wins Lucky for Life CT Lottery prize

85-year-old Max Cohen of Coventry, CT may not drive anymore, but he’s got enough money for a new car and maybe a driver as a $25,000 winner in the CT Lottery game, Lucky for Life. Photo source: CT Lottery

The youngest of eight children, Max Cohen of Coventry, CT has seen a lot of life in his 85 years.  On July 31, 2012 Cohen experienced a new life first when he came to CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to claim the second highest prize in the Lucky for Life game – worth  $25,000.

On July 26, Cohen missed matching the Lucky Ball number, which was 5, but matched the other five winning numbers (6 – 8 – 23 – 34 – 38).  “The numbers I played are special, they all relate to my mother,” said Cohen.

Cohen, who served in the First Marines, 1st Marine Division in World War II, was pleasantly surprised with his $25,000 win.  “For now, the money will go in the bank,” Cohen said.

Cohen’s daughter, Lisa Duclos, helps her father play his numbers, “now that he doesn’t drive anymore,” she told Lottery officials.

“When I checked his numbers on the Lottery website (http://www.ctlottery.org), I said to my husband, ‘Oh my God, I think I have five numbers.’  I had my husband check; I checked a couple more times, and then I used a lottery Ticket Checker just to be sure,” Duclos said.

Cohen’s winning ticket was purchased at CV Mart, at 1237 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, CT.

Across New England, 77,649 winning Lucky for Life tickets were purchased on that date; 24,129 were sold in CT alone with prizes ranging from $2 to $25,000.

Since the “first” Lucky for Life drawing on March 15, 2012, there have been 1,076,799 “lucky” winning tickets sold in CT alone.

Posted Aug. 2, 2012

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Coming up at Coventry Regional Farmers Market, Blues and Brews

Knights of the Mashing Fork brewers at the 2007 Blues and Brews day at the Coventry Regional Farmers Market. Photo source: CRFM Facebook post

Looking ahead, at the Coventry Regional Farmers Market, Blues & Brews day is Sept 2… that will include several breweries, including the Knights of the Mashing Fork, CT’s largest homebrew group.

A recent Facebook post from KofMF member Bryan Peretto: “Brewing the third batch of my Coventry TriCentennial ale for the Coventry Regional Farmers Market Brew day on Sept. 2. Three additions of Centennial hops for Coventry Connecticut’s 300th birthday.”

And the market continues to grow.

On Sunday (July 29, 2012) there was something new – as part of an impromptu Pickle Palooza – the debut of Farm to Hearth’s pickles, made in small batches with local produce and organic ingredients, including:

Brown Sugar Allspice Golden Beets,

Old Fashioned Bread & Butter,

Dilly Beans,

Bread & Butter Radish Chips,

Spicy Dill,

Sweet & Spicy Zucchini Relish,

Pickled Purple Beets,

and two types of pickled garlic scapes, a sweet and a sour.

The market is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South St., Coventry, CT.

Posted July 29, 2012 – based on info posted by CRFM on HTNP News Facebook page

Related links –

Knights of the Mashing Fork on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KotMF

Coventry Regional Farmers Market on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CoventryFarmersMarket

CRFM web site http://coventryfarmersmarket.com

Information about Coventry’s 300th events, including the September parade (in PDF format, requires Adobe Reader to open – can be downloaded for free) http://www.coventryct.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={6E63457A-FDA7-4049-AD97-8DAD263DE9C8}

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In Coventry, Siting Council gives AT&T and Verizon OK for 4G upgrade

Both AT&T and Verizon Wireless have notified the town of Coventry they have permits from the Connecticut Siting Council for upgrades of cell towers to 4G LTE capabilities in that town.

Faster wireless capabilities in Coventry and surrounding areas are on the horizon.

Both AT&T and Verizon Wireless have notified the town of Coventry they have permits from the Connecticut Siting Council for upgrades of cell towers to 4G LTE capabilities in that town.

Coventry’s towers are located at the town hall, on Riley Mountain Road, and on Bread and Milk Street.

“AT&T customers in surrounding towns have access to our 4G HSPA+ network right now,” said AT&T Public Relations Executive Katie Goudey.

4G, a wireless technology term meaning “Fourth Generation,” follows 3G as the “ latest addition” to the mobile broadband network, Goudey said.

High Speed Packet Access or HSPA+ provides extended and improved network speeds, Goudey said.

“AT&T’s already fast mobile broadband network delivers even faster 4G speeds. It’s fast and it’s only getting faster as we expand our 4G LTE network across the country,” she said.

AT&T’s 4G network in Connecticut is four times faster than any 3G network offered by any other service, Goudey said.

Goudey said AT& T is “building out” its 4G network with LTE or “long term evolution” – which refers to the ongoing process of improving wireless standards – for its customers.

Goudey said AT&T expects to have LTE upgrades to be completed nationwide by 2013.

AT& T and Verizon Wireless LTE customers often see download speeds (how long it takes a user to retrieve something from the Internet) that exceed 15 megabytes per second, and upload speeds (how long it takes to send something on the Internet) in the 10 Mbps range.

The Connecticut Siting Council is made up of nine members from various state departments. It reviews applications for siting (location) of cell towers, power plants, power lines and other energy and telecommunications infrastructure.

Council staff attorney Melanie Bachman said the approved upgrades require “no significant change to the site(s)” physically.

Goudey said there is a huge demand from customers today for faster services.

“Wireless data usage has risen nearly 10,000 percent in the past four years,” Goudey said. “ It’s clear that folks are using their smart-phones for more than just phone calls; they want to watch mobile video, play online mobile games, download presentations, stream music and more.”

Coventry Town Manager John Elsesser said the upgrades will not involve any cost to the town.

Posted July 8, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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Jobs, housing topics of forum on Eastern CT

The purpose of the “visioning sessions” is to present current points of the study and to gather feedback and ideas from local residents. Livingston pointed to the difficulty of the task, given eastern Connecticut encompasses 41 towns, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribal nations, and the fact that region is composed of village, rural and urban areas. Map graphic copyright 2012 by Brenda Sullivan

The comments of community members may result in a more sustainable future for Eastern Connecticut.

At a public “visioning session” last week, a dozen area residents and officials gathered at Windham Town Hall to learn about and weigh in on a planning study that examines the region’s potential for sustainability improvements.

The study looks at three areas of potential growth — mobility, employment and housing — on a regional scale and considers how these areas might be improved in an integrated, practical way.

“It’s looking at gaps in what’s out there. What issues cross boundaries throughout this region?” asked Ken Livingston, vice president and principal associate at the planning firm of Fitzgerald and Halliday.

The session, along with another Wednesday, June 20 in Dayville, and a third held Thursday in Norwich, was hosted by the Eastern Connecticut Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Consortium. Members of the study team presented the findings and guided small group discussions.

The consortium partners with the Windham Region Council of Governments, Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, and Southeastern Connecticut Housing Alliance.

The study, funded through a $225,000 grant from the state Department of Housing and Urban Development, began in September 2011 and will be completed by December 2013 at the latest, at which time the consortium will have a concise list of specific, doable recommendations for regional improvements.

The purpose of the “visioning sessions” is to present current points of the study and to gather feedback and ideas from local residents.

Livingston pointed to the difficulty of the task, given eastern Connecticut encompasses 41 towns, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribal nations, and the fact that region is composed of village, rural and urban areas.

“There’s a diversity of issues and concerns,” he explained.

The study’s concentrations include diversified and affordable housing, workforce development and effectiveness of transportation.

Small breakout discussions were organized into these categories, but the interconnectedness of the issues was noted.

Affordable housing and dependable jobs should be located closer together, attendees said, which would lessen the burden on providing transportation.

Meanwhile, public transportation services could be connected between different areas of the region and service could be expanded.

Job training could be improved and coordinated with the needs of area employers, thus bridging the gap between the “supply of labor coming out of local schools” and “what the companies are looking for,” said Todd Poole study team member and managing principal for 4WARD Planning.

State Rep. Susan Johnson, D-Willimantic, attended the visioning session and spoke of the city’s potential. “We have a lot of resources here that could really help to change the economy,” Johnson said. She pointed to the freight rail lines, the airport, mills and other assets that could be harnessed to return Willimantic to its productive days.

She said she sees high-level manufacturing, to which much of the state has already begun to shift, as an exciting opportunity for the city. “If we act together, we can really attract a lot of people to the region,” Johnson said.

Columbia Town Planner Jana Butts, who is also a senior planner at WINCOG, was interested in the concept of “locational efficiency,” which would bring housing and jobs geographically closer.

“People who live close to their work are saving a lot of money, but also living a greener lifestyle,” Butts said. “I think there’s a real need for everyone to examine the environmental costs of their lifestyles and implement ways to make their lifestyles more sustainable.”

Livingston said he was grateful for the feedback. “What is most useful is hearing people’s personal stories and hearing their values,” he said.

It is these stories and values that will inform the consortium’s recommendations.

WINCOG Director Mark Paquette said the consortium will begin to synthesize these ideas this week, with the goal of moving a bit closer to final recommendations.

The consortium is looking for “a small number of (recommendations) where we can really make a difference,” he said.

The synthesized findings of the sessions will be posted on the consortium’s web site www.sustaineasternct. org, where community members can also learn more about the study and submit their own ideas.

Posted June 25, 2012

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In Coventry, You can use these bathrooms – for a price

Coventry (CT) Regional Farmers Market is one of the most popular and fastest growing in the state; it draws about 75,000 visitors annually. The market also shares the grounds each Sunday of market season with the Nathan Hale Homestead – which plans to charge anyone who wants to use its new bathrooms $25 to become Friends of the Homestead. Photo copyright 2012 by Brenda Sullivan.

Visitors to the Coventry Regional Farmers Market, at the Nathan Hale Homestead, will soon have an alternative to the portable facilities already provided by the market.

Officials with Connecticut Landmarks, which owns the homestead at 2299 South St., announced that market-goers will be able to use homestead’s new bathrooms – if they become “friends” of the homestead.

The offer will not, however, take effect until mid-July and it comes with a price tag.

A new “Friends of the Homestead” program will officially launch in mid-July at a cost of $25. Benefits include a 10 percent discount on items in the new museum store, free access to the homestead and its tours throughout the season – and use of the homestead’s bathrooms.

Connecticut Landmarks Executive Director Sheryl Hack said the new program was slightly delayed while awaiting Friends of the Homestead pins.

Since the market re-opened for the season this month, for the past three Sundays, the bathrooms at the homestead had been open and used by both museum visitors and market attendees.

Last week, Connecticut Landmarks had said it would begin locking its bathrooms for market goers and only open them for museum patrons who pay the museum’s regular admission fee.

“This is our response,” Hack said Friday (June 22).

Hack noted, however, that the homestead will continue to allow access to the restrooms for any handicapped person.

The Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry, CT – a view of the kitchen garden. The Coventry Regional Farmers Market uses the adjoining fields on Sundays throughout the market season. It also recently built a barn won from Yankee Post & Beam where it will hold programs. Photo copyright 2012 by Brenda Sullivan.

Connecticut Landmarks Education and Historic Sites Operations Manager Cynthia Cormier said the bathrooms were open the first few weeks because the agency didn’t know how many people would use them.

Hack said the new system was designed for only “250 flushes a day.”

Hack estimated with 1,000 to possibly 3,000 flushes each Sunday, the homestead could destroy its new septic tank a month into this year’s season.

She said the homestead could never have afforded a septic tank with the capacity for so many flushes.

Addressing the problem, however, has opened up an opportunity to boost financial support for the homestead. The “Friends of the Homestead” program will be “a vehicle for community members, market-goers and everyone else to support the property,” Hack said.

Hack confirmed each dollar from the new $25 program would go directly back to the homestead site.

The homestead received $500,000 from the state in 2004 for renovations that included bathrooms and a visitors’ center, and another $750,000 for renovation of the two historic Hale barns.

State Rep. Tim Ackert, R-Coventry, called the new “Friends of the Homestead: program “very interesting.”

“I like the overall idea, in terms of discounting prices and helping out Connecticut Landmarks,” Ackert said. On the other hand, he said he’s concerned about people essentially paying to use the new bathrooms.

Ackert said he has reached out to Connecticut Landmarks about the issue but hadn’t received a response as of last Friday.

“This just doesn’t sit well,” Ackert said. “I will continue to look into this to make it the best for everybody.”

Farmers Market Executive Director Winter Caplanson said the market has ordered a handicapped-accessible portable toilet to join the two portable toilets already provided for market visitors.

Caplanson said CT Portables in Chaplin was going to add an addi­tional portable toilet in time for the June 24 market day.

Caplanson said she isn’t worried about more bathroom-related problems for the market.

“I think it will settle down,” she said.

The market, which is overseen by the Bridges Healthy Cooking School, a 501c3 nonprofit, generates sales exceeding $500,000 every year and draws more than 75,000 visitors annually.

The market is open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Posted June 25, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Related link: Coventry Regional Farmers Market http://coventryfarmersmarket.com

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Last Green Valley seeks ideas for workshop series

The Last Green Valley is the member-supported, non-profit organization working locally to preserve the irreplaceable land, water, and cultural resources of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, the last predominantly undeveloped green space in the coastal sprawl between Washington, D.C. and Boston. It includes 35 towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Photo source: LGV

The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) has published a “Request for Proposals to Develop a Workshop Series for Municipal Officials” as part of the TLGV Sustainable Communities Program.

The Last Green Valley is the member-supported, non-profit organization working locally to preserve the irreplaceable land, water, and cultural resources of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, the last predominantly undeveloped green space in the coastal sprawl between Washington, D.C. and Boston.

TLGV plans to offer a series of high-quality workshops in the fall of 2012 and spring of 2013 that will assist municipal decision-makers, primarily volunteers, in understanding their roles and responsibilities.

The workshops will be free or low-cost for municipal boards and staff.

Targeted municipal boards include: Planning, Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Conservation, Zoning Board of Appeals, Agriculture, and Selectmen.

The workshops will focus on the tools board members need to serve effectively, including but not limited to legal authorities and requirements, discretionary decision making, web-based mapping resources, map and plan reading, running meetings and hearings, and creative land use development techniques that conserve natural resources.

TLGV is seeking proposals from qualified respondents to produce the workshop series.

The deadline for electronic submissions is July 19, 2012.

For more information or for a copy of the Request for Proposals, please contact Lois Bruinooge at 860-774-3300 or lois@tlgv.org

There are 35 towns included in the Last Green Valley.

The Connecticut municipalities are: Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Franklin, Griswold, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Lisbon, Mansfield, Norwich, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Scotland, Sprague, Sterling, Thompson, Union, Voluntown, Windham, and Woodstock.

The Massachusetts communities are: Brimfield, Charlton, Dudley, E. Brookfield, Holland, Oxford, Southbridge, Sturbridge, and Webster.

Posted June 24, 2012

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CT Sunday liquor sales expected to begin by May 20

The legislation allows liquor permittees to sell alcohol 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, as well as on the Memorial, Independence and Labor Day holidays, and on Mondays following any Christmas and New Year's Day that falls on a Sunday.

Connecticut residents may be buying alcohol on a Sunday for the first time, in this state, as soon as May 20. That’s what Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told reporters on Thursday morning (May 10) at a post-legislative session press conference.

The legislation allows liquor permittees to sell alcohol 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, as well as on the Memorial, Independence and Labor Day holidays, and on Mondays following any Christmas and New Year’s Day that falls on a Sunday.

Also:

• No one will be allowed to own more than three package stores (which is an increase from two under the old law).

• Minimum prices will remain intact, with one exception; retailers can sell one item per month for 10 percent below the cost of acquisition.

• Discounted items cannot be sold for less than 90 percent of the permittee’s wholesale cost.

The governor said Thursday the bill hadn’t arrived on his desk yet, but added that by early next week, he expects to receive the bill, give it a final review and sign it.

To read the full story, click here: http://www.ctmirror.org/story/16313/sunday-liquor-sales-should-begin-may-20

Posted May 12, 2012

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Connecticut gets $6 Million from settlement with drug company

Abbott Laboratories allegedly offered and paid illegal remuneration to health care professionals and long-term care pharmacy providers to encourage them to promote and/or prescribe Depakote

Connecticut Atty. General George Jepsen said Monday (May 7) the state will receive approximately $6 million from settlements with Abbott Laboratories in relation to charges the pharmaceutical company marketed the prescription drug Depakote for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Depakote is approved by the FDA for treatment of seizure disorders, “mania” associated with bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.

According to complaints, Abbott also marketed the drug for behavioral disturbances in dementia patients, anxiety, conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug withdrawal, attention deficit disorder, autism and other psychiatric conditions – uses the FDA has not deemed to be effective.

According to the allegations in the complaint, Abbott Laboratories promoted Depakote for unapproved uses by:

• making false and misleading statements about the safety, efficacy, dosing and cost-effectiveness of Depakote for some of these uses;

• improperly marketing the product for use in nursing homes;

• and by offering and paying illegal remuneration to health care professionals and long-term care pharmacy providers to encourage them to promote and/or prescribe Depakote.

Abbott Laboratories’ marketing for non-FDA approved uses allegedly resulted in false claims to Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs.

Jepsen said these settlements “will serve as a deterrent to other companies who seek to benefit unfairly from government healthcare programs.”

“Most importantly, they will help to protect consumers who were prescribed an expensive drug with little evidence the drug could help their condition,” Jepsen said.

In the settlements, Abbott has agreed to pay the involved states and the federal government $800 million in civil damages and penalties.

Connecticut’s share of Medicaid claims is more than $3.9 million.

Connecticut will also receive $499,000 for state-funded benefit programs administered by the state Department of Social services.

Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby said, “Our claims data indicated a significant and inappropriate impact on Medicaid expenditures, a factor that will now be mitigated by this major settlement.”

The company has also agreed to a $700 million criminal fine and forfeiture for violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Another $100 million settlement with 45 states and the District of Columbia, resolves civil consumer protection claims that the company engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by illegal off-label marketing of Depakote.

Connecticut’s share of the consumer protection settlement is more than $1.5 million, including $150,000 for the state Department of Consumer Protection’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said, “The funding that the settlement provides for Connecticut’s Prescription Monitoring Program will directly benefit patient health by assisting pharmacists and physicians to better monitor potentially dangerous drug interactions and prescription errors.”

Abbott also agreed to enter into a corporate integrity agreement with the federal government.

For a period of five years, Abbott must also limit:

• the creation and use of responses to requests by physicians for non-promotional information about off-label uses of Depakote;

• dissemination of reprints of clinical studies relating to off-label uses of Depakote;

• and use of grants and continuing medical education.

It must also disclose payments to physicians and register and disclose clinical trials.

The healthcare fraud settlement was based on four qui tam cases, filed under federal and state false claim statutes that were consolidated and are pending in U.S. District Court in Virginia.

Assistant Atty. General Thomas Saadi handled the consumer protection settlement for the Attorney General with Assistant Atty. General Phillip Rosario, head of the Consumer Protection department.

Consumers can make inquiries of the Attorney General’s office by calling 860-808-5318 during office hours or sending email to attorney.general@ct.gov You can also follow the office on Facebook at Attorney General George Jepsen and on Twitter @AGJepsen

Posted May 9, 2012, based on a press release

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A slam dunk for Storrs Center, Geno Auriemma announces new restaurant

University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma speaks at a press conference April 10, 2012 announcing a plan to open a new restaurant in the Storrs Center development. Photo by Roxanne Pandolfi

When the $220 million Storrs Center opens its first businesses this summer, a familiar name will be attached to one of the restaurants.

During a press conference at the Nathan Hale Inn and Conference Center on the UConn campus Tuesday afternoon, UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma announced he will open an Italian/ American restaurant in the complex, tentatively called Geno’s Grille.

Crediting the work of various individuals and organizations involved with the project, Auriemma said his role is simply to attach his celebrity name to the project.

Auriemma has coached seven championship teams and made it to 13 Final Fours. “I’m kind of like the Queen of England, you know,” he said. “They paraded me out there. I don’t do any of the work.”

The hope is his name will attract people from across the state to Storrs Center, and help make it a hot destination for current students, graduates and other Connecticut residents.

It was an exciting moment for Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson, who serves as an ex-officio member of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, the group overseeing the project.

“We know you (Auriemma) will be successful in this venture,” said Paterson. “This will be the place to be in Storrs Center.”

Construction on the restaurant is expected to begin in May and it is expected to open around Labor Day, as part of the first phase of the development.

It will seat more than 100 people and have a bar and an outside dining area.

The Storrs Center location is the second restaurant opened by Auriemma and his partners, who also own and operate Geno’s Fast Break restaurant at Mohegan Sun casino.

The new restaurant will serve a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts prepared by chef Calvin Silva.

Auriemma said only food he likes to eat, such as pizza, pasta and sandwiches will be served. “Other than my mother’s food, it will be as good as you can get,” he said.

Those who attended the press conference got a taste of the food Geno’s will offer, as a variety of wraps and other foods from Fast Break were served.

Auriemma’s restaurant is the latest of many businesses to sign on to Storrs Center, a development project that will bring a retail, commercial and residential components to the town.

According to Howard Kaufman, managing member of Leyland Alliance, the master developer on the project, approximately 80 percent of the commercial leases have been signed for the first phase of the project. This includes Moe’s Southwest Grill, Husky Pizza, Fro-yo World (frozen yogurt) and Insomnia Cookies. Some existing businesses also have signed letters of intent, including Storrs Automotive.

The UConn Co-op bookstore is expected to sign a lease to set up a second business in Mansfield. And talks are underway with three more businesses, Kaufman said.

“We’re well on our way to becoming fully leased by the time the project opens up,” he said.

Posted April 13, 2012 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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State investment program increases demand for residential solar rooftop systems

The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) announced today (April 9) that just one month into a new Residential Solar Investment Program, it has already approved 126 applications for installation of photovoltaic rooftop systems (solar panels).

About the Program

Under Public Act 11-80 (approved by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy), CEFIA is charged with supporting the installation of at least 30 megawatts of new residential PV systems by 2022.

The program provides support to residents who wish to own or lease a solar PV system.

CEFIA is in the process of developing a webpage dedicated to program results.

About CEFIA

CEFIA was established by Connecticut’s General Assembly on July 1, 2011 as a part of Public Act 11-80.  This new quasi-public agency supersedes the former Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.

CEFIA’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy and energy efficiency projects in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state.

As the nation’s first full-scale, clean energy finance authority, CEFIA will leverage public and private funds to drive investment and scale-up clean energy deployment in Connecticut.

For more information about CEFIA, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com

Strong public interest

In a press release, CEFIA President Bryan Garcia states:

“The initial response to our new program has been dramatic, demonstrating strong public interest in solar power and the dynamic nature of our state’s solar industry. “

“We will be providing approximately $1.4 million in funding for these first 126 installations –  leveraging $2.8 million of additional private capital, which will produce more than 800 kW of new residential solar capacity.”

“We are well on our way to developing a scenario for the long-term success of residential solar installations that will contribute to bringing cleaner and cheaper energy to Connecticut.”

“Under this scenario, we will ramp up consumer demand, drive down the installed costs, offer consumers attractive financing, and provide a suite of opportunities that ensures the presence of a viable solar PV industry here.”

Garcia also noted that more than one-third of the 70 approved installation companies in CEFIA’s program have been involved in submitting the initial applications for the solar installations.

Ed Steins, Regional Director for the North East SolarCity, states, “We have set up shop in Connecticut and are excited to offer homeowners and businesses the chance to pay less for solar electricity than they pay for utility power.”

“SolarCity expanded to Connecticut in large part due to the efforts of the state – through programs at Connecticut Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) – to promote, develop and invest in clean energy and energy efficiency projects,” Steins says.

CEFIA’s release states that the agency “intends to exceed the goals established in the legislation by incorporating financing options for consumers, energy efficiency, consumer aggregation, and other mechanisms to support residential solar PV across Connecticut.”

For more information about the Residential Solar Investment Program, visit www.ctcleanenergy.com/solarhome

Posted April 9, 2012

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