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Problems Need Solutions C onnecticut has won loud ap- plause for many of its energy and environmental programs since 2011. The C-PACE program has signed up more than $20 million in projects. The renewable energy credit program has been hailed as a national model for driving the cost of subsidies down. No one even seems to mind the doubling of the energy efficiency funding, despite the ad- verse impact on ratepayer bills. Yet, not everything goes smooth- ly. As this issue's two main articles explore, breaking new ground means breaking into new problems. In writer Katie Bucaccio's return to the Green Guide, she delves into some of the issues with the state's new electric vehicle charg- ing station installation program. Participants aren't getting paid, an installer is getting frustrated, and the state is well behind on its goals. In our other feature story, a handful of energy efficiency contractors around the state have found updating older buildings with major efficiency retrofits actu- ally makes them use more energy. Because of the major construction, the facilities must meet the new building codes, which require more ventilation and more energy to heat and cool the building. Just because there are problems, that doesn't make these programs failures. Far from it, in fact. Energy efficiency is the cheapest way Con- necticut can cut its pollution, and EV charging stations will be needed if Connecticut wants to become a haven for electric cars. What these problems need are solutions, and state officials are working to address both issues. When breaking new ground, there inevitably will be some bumps in the road, but that is all the more reason to persevere. Brad Kane Editor From the editor New Columnist Jon Gordon has replaced Dan Esty, the former environmental commissioner as the Green Guide's opinion columnist. Gordon looks at energy incentives in his first piece. See page 33. Protecting CT's Waters Advocacy Expert Margaret Miner discusses the importance of keeping Connecticut's rivers healthy through comprehensive planning of the state's water use. See page 29 Contributors Green Tip: Once you've finished with it, the Green Guide makes a cheap shoe tree. Just shove it inside your wet shoes to help them keep their shape. w w w. C T G re e n G u i d e . c o m (860) 236-9998 Publisher Gail Lebert Associate Publisher Donna Collins Editor, Connecticut Green Guide Brad Kane Editor, Hartford Business Journal Greg Bordonaro News Editor, Hartford Business Journal Gregory Seay Digital Producer Matt Pilon Contributing Editor Keith Griffin Office Manager Moira Rosek Sr. Accounts Manager David Hartley Sr. Accounts Manager William C. Lambot Sr. Account Manager Jill Siegel Special Projects Account Manager Brittney Michaud Special Projects Account Manager Alexis Hersh Special Projects Account Executive Catherine Gruszka Event Manager Brian Baum Human Resource Manager Debbie Amorelli Collecting Supervisor Linda Lambert Credit and Collection Manager Raki Zwiebel Production Director/ Marketing Coordinator Lynn Mika Art Director Christopher Wallace CEO Peter Stanton President & Group Publisher Joseph Zwiebel Comptroller Mary Rogers Subscriptions: To subscribe, please visit HartfordBusiness.com, email hartfordbusiness@cambeywest.com, or call (845) 267-3478. Advertising: For advertising information, please call (860) 236-9998. Please address all correspondence to: Hartford Business Journal, 15 Lewis Street, Suite 200, Hart ford CT 06103. News Department: If you have a news item: Call us at (860) 236-9998, fax us at (860) 570-2493, or e-mail us at editorial@HartfordBusiness.com Hartford Business Journal accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or materials and in general does not return them to the sender. Connecticut Green Guide is published quarterly by New England Business Media LLC, 15 Lewis Street, Suite 200, Hartford CT 06103. Tel: (860) 236-9998 Fax (860) 570-2493 Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Hartford Business Journal P.O. Box 330, Congers, NY 10920-9894 GreenGuide C o n n e C t i C u t www.copyright.com A publication of Hartford Business Journal www.CtGreenGuide.com Summer 2014 • Connecticut Green Guide 5