Town's energy initiative moving right along

CORNWALL — Cornwall’s energy initiatives are gaining speed with news this week of an energy day in the planning and a solar panel earned through the “20 Percent by 2010� campaign.

A minimum of 80 customers switching all or part of their electricity use to clean energy sources was required to earn a panel under the SmartPower initiative. Cornwall signed up in February.

It was slow going at first, but an Energy Task Force appointed this summer appears to have made a difference already. Putting the town over the top were 15 people who signed up with help from the task force during the Sept. 11 Democratic primary.

The solar panel comes with free installation. It will be installed at Cornwall Consolidated School and used to offset a small portion of the school’s electrical needs.

First Selectman Gordon Ridgway said the school currently budgets $43,000 for power. That’s about three-quarters of all power use by town facilities.

Included with the panel are educational software and a science curriculum that can be used at the school. Ridgway envisions students engaged in a variety of applications, such as mapping the building’s power demands.

Residents should look for an Energy Day in mid-November. Among activities planned is a house tour of solar homes and forums on energy that include vendors of energy-related products.