State Honors West Hartford Gym for Energy Conservation Efforts

WOW! Workout World in West Hartford was one of 11 organizations recognized Tuesday by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for energy conservation efforts.

In a ceremony Tuesday at the State Capitol, the DEEP presented "Summer Saver" awards to those 11 organizations, which included retailers, schools, and manufacturers, in recognition of their leadership and commitment in reducing energy usage and air pollution during the summer of 2012.

“The organizations we honor today have taken voluntary steps to reduce their energy use and by doing so have become models for others to follow,” said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty in a news release. “The combined efforts of the 11 Summer Savers Awardees resulted in energy savings in kilowatt hours, peak electricity demand and in CO2 emissions. Efficiency efforts are of special significance in summer months when reducing peak demand can help reduce the cost of power and when reducing emissions from power plants helps prevent pollution that contributes to smog.” 
 
According to the DEEP, energy savings of 363,503 kilowatt hours (or 364 megawatt hours) in total were achieved through the efforts of the 11 organizations. In addition, peak electricity demand was reduced by 2,032 kilowatts (or over 2 megawatts) and CO2 emissions were reduced by 171 tons.

Awardees utilized various incentives offered by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund Small Business and Commercial and Industrial programs available through The Connecticut Light & Power Company and the United Illuminating Company in order to achieve their savings, the release stated.

West Hartford business WOW! Workout World received a Bronze Award Tuesday, for a 5 to 10 percent reduction in electricity consumption as well as demand.  Hologic, Inc. of Danbury and New Castle Hotels & Resorts (Hilton Garden Inn) in Shelton also received Bronze Awards.

Walgreen Company received a "Peak Performer" award for its Connecticut Distribution Center in Windsor, which a reduction of over 1,770  kilowatts or 40 percent.

Gold Awards were presented to WANHO Manufacturing, LLC, of Waterbury and  Saint Mary Parish of Newington for a greater than 20 percent reduction in usage and demand.

Silver Awards, for reductions between 10 and 20 percent, were received by Amity Regional School District No. 5 in Orange; Branford Community House in Branford; Guitar Center Stores, Inc. in Orange; Rimagé Salon and Spa in New Haven; and Superior Printing Ink Co., Inc. in Hamden.

According to the DEEP release, "the Summer Energy Savers Awards program was instituted to encourage and reward Connecticut businesses and institutions who reduced their electricity consumption during the summer months by 5% to 20% over the previous two summers. Increased summer energy demand, driven almost exclusively by usage of air conditioners, plays a substantial role in increased consumer costs for electricity. The Summer Saver Awards acknowledge the efforts of the awardees that reduced their use on peak energy days in summer when it is so critical to the state’s energy infrastructure."     

For information about earning a Summer Saver Award for 2013, visit  http://www.summersaver.state.ct.us or contact Ginger Teubner at (860) 827-2630.