English Station to be destroyed

After initially proposing to turn the site into a fuel cell generation station, the real estate developer that owns the English Station claims to have a new plan that involves razing the historic, century-old building. Luther Turmelle reports for the New Haven Register.

This could be a relief for breathing members of the New Haven community, to whom the dormant plant represents an ongoing threat of a urban pollution. Obviously people will be anxious to see the term "undetermined industrial purpose" better defined.

While the developer has a history of preserving historic buildings (here and here), it seems that converting the polluted coal and oil burning facility into living space is not in the cards. As I have previously reported, UI shelled out almost $2million for environmental remediation but that money seems to have gone missing. Still, one wonders if the original building might be suitable for some "undetermined industrial purpose". It's a beautiful building.

(photo copyright 2007 Bruce Crowder)

Electric rates set to go down

DPUC approved new lower rates for electricity users in CT. CL&P customers should see approx 8% reduction while UI customers will see a more modest 1.5% dip. Read more here.

Still, you may find lower rates from an alternative provider. Click here for a list of providers and prices.

Madison saves big bucks on energy bills

Updated control systems help make sensible choices, like not heating or cooling rooms that are not in use. CT Energy Efficiency Fund (funded through our electric bills) shelled half of the $68k installation, allowing the school to save $27k per year. That's an impressive 2.5 year pay-off.

Click here to read more from the New Haven Register's Alexandra Sanders.

"Exotic" wind turbine in Torrington

Not all wind is harnessed equally. Here's an interesting 150 KW wind turbine design by Optiwind and installed at a farm in Torrington.

Read more.

Free energy analyses available for UI customers

The CT Energy Efficiency Fund is offering free energy use analysis and cost-saving tips to the first 6,000 United Illuminating customers to sign up. UI will supply "detailed" energy reports for one year, comparing your energy use (electricity only, I assume) to last year's usage and also in relation to similar homes in the area. They are promoting the program through facebook. Click here to sign up and get more information.

You help pay for this and similar programs through small charges on your electricity bill, so don't be shy about signing up!

South Kent School goes solar

Congrats to South Kent School on their new PV system.

http://www.southkentschool.org/article.php?id=297

University of New Haven develops 500 mpg car

UNH has designed and built a single-seater that can travel 500 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. It relies not on hybridization, regenerative braking, solar or human power -- just good old fashioned ingenuity and efficient design. Best of luck to team who will be competing in the national supermileage competition this weekend!

Read here and here.