New Haven commits to using only renewable energy for city operations City pledges to use 100 percent renewable energy in its operations

Bikes used by the Youth Conservation Corps members placed near Mayor Toni Harp during a press conference on the city’s sustainability efforts Wednesday at City Hall. Bikes used by the Youth Conservation Corps members placed near Mayor Toni Harp during a press conference on the city’s sustainability efforts Wednesday at City Hall. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close New Haven commits to using only renewable energy for city operations 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN >> City Engineer Giovanni Zinn said when it came to formulating the city’s new sustainability efforts, they quickly realized they had to lead by example.

“We have to take care of our own operations to make them as environmentally friendly as possible,” Zinn said.

With that in mind, Zinn joined Mayor Toni Harp Wednesday to announce the city has taken a significant step forward: They are pledging to purchase 100 percent renewable energy for all city operations.

“It’s not energy from coal or natural gas or anything like that, it’s from sources such as wind and solar,” Zinn said. “That will reduce our yearly carbon footprint by 12,500 tons of carbon.”

That amount of carbon would be about the same as the carbon emitted annually by 2,500 average cars in the country, Zinn said,

The announcement was made while introducing the city’s Clean Energy Summer sustainability initiative during a press conference at City Hall. Zinn’s announcement prompted applause from an audience of nearly 50 people in the second floor of City Hall.

“All this commitment to renewable energy is something we very much value, not only for its moral imperative, but also because it saves the city money,” Zinn said. “Generating electricity on our own will be saving in excess of $100,000 a year.”

Additionally, Zinn said the city will double its number of solar arrays throughout the city, placing additional solar panels, mostly in schools. The increase will double the city’s solar energy generation to up to 2.8 megawatts. Combined with existing solar panels, Zinn said the arrays will produce enough electricity in a year to power about 400 average Connecticut homes.

Harp has been reiterating the city’s commitment to address climate change and in January announced the city’s goal to create an environmental sustainability plan. Harp took an even more hard-line approach after President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord last month. The city also joined the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in January.

“Now, New Haven is finishing its climate and sustainability framework this summer for presentation to and adoption by the Board of Alders,” Harp said.

The city partners with local green activists and community residents to create its strategy, including support from the New Haven Climate Movement.

Chris Schweitzer of New Haven Climate Movement said they’re concerned with how climate change is affecting the planet. The organization is helping lead the clean energy summer program, which will push for homeowners to switch to cleaner energy.

“This is a very happy day and a great celebration,” Schweitzer said. “At the same time, there’s a real urgency to do more, keep stretching and trying new things and really working at this.”

Members of the Youth Conservation Corps were on hand Wednesday and stood near bikes used to canvass neighborhoods to promote environmentally-friendly practices. The conservation corps is supervised by the city’s Youth Department.

Shequerra Hobby is this summer’s supervisor for the program, which she said has about 11 members. She said the group will try to raise money this summer to provide more bikes for its youth. The organization partnered with United Illuminating and with the city’s traffic department, which is unveiling a bike-sharing program the youth will promote.

“In the past, we’ve rode our bikes to the designated areas and shared information with the residents,” Hobby said. “I know the kids will enjoy riding the bikes. We want to introduce that information to the residents and let them know that they have a bike-sharing program.”

City Youth Director Jason Bartlett said the conservation corps is now in its third year. He noted that summer youth employment has been targeted for cuts at the state level. The city will continue funding the program, Youth@Work, though Bartlett said the program is still seeking additional employers for its program.

“I want to thank the young people,” Bartlett. “Look forward to your service this summer.”

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901.