R.A.C.E. Wins 2008 CT Climate Change
Leadership Award
The Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment [RACE] was honored recently by the State with a 2008 achievement award from Governor Jodi Rell’s Steering Committee on Climate Change. This is the third year that certain individuals, municipalities and organizations have been honored in this way for their innovative conservation efforts to mitigate global climate change. Gary Green, RACE president; Jay Whelan, immediate past president of RACE; and RACE members Virginia Roebuck, John Papa and Brendan Hanrahan attended the May 28th ceremony.
Formed in 2007 to promote sustainability in Ridgefield, RACE led the effort to have this town commit to support using 20% clean energy by 2010 for all town operations. RACE sponsored, and helped the Town win, a renewable energy "Mayors’ Challenge" sign-up competition involving six surrounding towns; developed an anti-idling campaign that was embraced by town officials; and continues to educate the community and schools about recycling and clean energy. Last November, the committee also organized a day-long retreat on environmental sustainability attended by 70 Ridgefield town leaders, including town selectmen, municipal officials, planners and commissioners, the Board of Education, school administrators, students, Chamber of Commerce representatives, clergy, community associations and businesses.
RACE has worked closely on energy issues with town and school officials, local businesses and developers. The school system, for example, has been able to reduce utility consumption by over three million kilowatt hours. In related conservation activities which help reduce the Town’s expenditures for municipal solid waste management, RACE has assisted in the launch of a more aggressive recycling campaign and, along with local scout groups, has made composting bins available to residents for the rapid conversion of kitchen and garden waste into rich compost.