Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut, in partnership with the Connecticut Green Bank, recently showcased its significant energy upgrades at its Deerfield Road facility during an open house on Wednesday, October 8. The enhancements at the 22,100-square-foot building, including a 218-kilowatt rooftop solar system and advanced lighting controls, are projected to save the organization approximately $1.3 million in energy costs over the lifetime of the new equipment.
The project was financed through the Green Bank's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, which provides affordable, long-term financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to commercial properties. Oxford, Connecticut-based Facility Solutions Group, Inc. installed the systems.
"We're so grateful to the Connecticut Green Bank for a partnership that has allowed Easterseals to upgrade our facility with solar and smart lighting, helping us to operate more efficiently and sustainably," said Robin Sharp, President and CEO of Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut. "And, the best part is that the savings and revenue we generate from these improvements will go right back into our community services, allowing us to further our mission."
The energy upgrade project received approximately $714,000 in C-PACE financing. Additionally, Easterseals utilized the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) direct pay option through the IRS, a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that allows tax-exempt entities to access expanded tax credits for clean energy technologies. This provision has made C-PACE and solar energy more accessible to non-taxpaying organizations like Easterseals.
"Easterseals is such an important part of Connecticut's community, providing critical support services to help people thrive," said Brian Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. "At the Connecticut Green Bank, our mission is to empower community organizations like Easterseals to invest in long-term energy cost-saving solutions that can help strengthen their impact while continuing to uplift the people they serve."
Easterseals has a longstanding commitment to sustainability. Established in 2008, its social enterprise, EnviroShred, focuses on the secure and eco-friendly destruction of confidential data, employing veterans and individuals with disabilities.
From left to right: Michael Mastriano, VP of Solar Division, Facility Solutions Group; Windsor Town Manager Peter Souza; Robin Sharp, President and CEO of Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut; Bryan Garcia, President and CEO, Connecticut Green Bank
About Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut
For over 75 years locally and 100 years nationally, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and their families. Through high-quality programs, including medical rehabilitation, autism services, Veteran and Military services, workforce development, adult day care and more. Easterseals also operates social enterprise businesses such as EnviroShred and EnviroClean. In schools, workplaces, and communities, we are fostering environments where everyone is included and valued making a real and positive impact on us all. Join us in ensuring that everyone - regardless of age or ability - is 100% included and 100% empowered. Learn more at www.easterseals.com/Hartford.
About The Connecticut Green Bank
The Connecticut Green Bank was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011 as the nation's first state-level green bank and has since supported the creation of nearly 30,000 green jobs in the state, while reducing the energy cost burden on over 71,000 families, businesses, and nonprofits. The Green Bank's vision is a planet protected by the love of humanity and its mission is to confront climate change by increasing and accelerating investment into Connecticut's green economy to create more resilient, healthier, and equitable communities. This is accomplished by leveraging limited public resources to scale-up and mobilize private capital investment into Connecticut. In 2017, the Connecticut Green Bank received the Innovations in American Government Award from the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation for their "Sparking the Green Bank Movement" entry. In 2021, the Green Bank's model was expanded to include new areas of environmental infrastructure, related to climate adaptation and resiliency, land conservation, parks and recreation, agriculture, water, waste and recycling, and environmental markets, including carbon offsets and ecosystem services. To date, the Green Bank has mobilized over $3 billion into the State's green economy. This has reduced the energy costs for thousands of families and businesses, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and worsen public health. To learn more about the Connecticut Green Bank, visit www.ctgreenbank.com.
For more information, contact:
Wendy Archer, on behalf of Easterseals Capital Region and Eastern CT
warcher@escrec.org
Rudy Sturk, on behalf of Connecticut Green Bank
rudy.sturk@ctgreenbank.com
