Move to Increase Private Green Energy Use to Come Before Council

An agenda item aimed at increasing the opportunity for some Windsor property owners to purchase affordable energy upgrades will be considered by the town council Monday night.

According to town documents, the council will be asked to consider permitting Town Manager Peter Souza to take necessary steps toward participating in the state's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program.

C-PACE helps commercial, industrial and multi-family property owners afford energy upgrades to their buildings through a long-term financial agreement.

The program was approved by the state legislature in June 2012.

According to meeting documents, in order for Windsor property owners to take advantage of the program's benefits, the town must first enter an agreement with the Connecticut Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA).

18 Connecticut towns, town documents say, currently participate in the C-PACE program, including Norwalk, Hartford, Middletown, Stamford, Simsbury and West Hartford, and that number is expected to jump by another dozen by the end of 2013.

Under the agreement, the town will essentially act as a middle man, establishing an additional tax on participating properties, collecting taxes and then transferring C-PACE-associated funds to CEFIA, town documents say.

The town, according to meeting documents, will be reimbursed for land record recordings required under the program. Additionally, CEFIA will pay the town $500 annually and any program expenses exceeding the $500 will be reimbursed, as well.

The council is scheduled to meet Mon., May 6 at 7:30 p.m. in town hall council chambers.