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CT Energy Network
Welcome to the
Updated 12.1.24
Connecticut's Network of Local Energy Task Forces & Committees
Thank You for Attending the 11/23 CTEN Gathering!
Special Shout Out to our phenomenal presenters!
Click on the presenter picture below to check out their
resumes and slide presentations.
Elizabeth Tanaka, PURA
Increasing public input is a priority for PURA, and Elizabeth Tanaka gave an overview of the EASE docket.
Elizabeth Tanaka of PURA has an MS in Forensic Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a JD from Quinnipiac University. She’s been a practicing attorney in Connecticut since 2008, serving as an Appellate Court law clerk, state prosecutor, law professor at Quinnipiac, and now as a staff attorney at PURA. Elizabeth has been a member of the Adjudications Unit at PURA, and is fortunate to be part of teams working to improve equity and access for Connecticut residents, including the launch of our new Stakeholder Group Compensation Program and the EASE Docket.
Elizabeth Tanaka of PURA has an MS in Forensic Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a JD from Quinnipiac University. She’s been a practicing attorney in Connecticut since 2008, serving as an Appellate Court law clerk, state prosecutor, law professor at Quinnipiac, and now as a staff attorney at PURA. Elizabeth has been a member of the Adjudications Unit at PURA, and is fortunate to be part of teams working to improve equity and access for Connecticut residents, including the launch of our new Stakeholder Group Compensation Program and the EASE Docket.
Joseph DeNicola, DEEP
Saving money while reducing harmful emissions is a powerful combination, and Joe DeNicola highighted programs that do that and more.
Joe DeNicola serves as the Deputy Commissioner of Energy at the Connecticut Department of Energy
and Environmental Protection (DEEP), appointed in January 2024.
As Deputy Commissioner, Joe leads DEEP's Energy Branch as Connecticut transitions to a zero-carbon
electric grid by 2040 and economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of 80 percent below 2001
levels by 2050. He oversees development of Connecticut's Integrated Resources Plan and
Comprehensive Energy Strategy, clean energy procurements, and policies and programs to achieve
universal broadband access, energy affordability, energy efficiency, strategic electrification of the
transportation and housing sectors, and efforts to reduce state agency emissions, waste, and water use.
In his current role, Joe serves on the board of the Connecticut Green Bank and the Connecticut Wind
Collaborative.
Joe joined DEEP in 2023 as a Senior Advisor focusing on materials management and energy policy. He
has a broad background in energy and sustainable forestry and agriculture, and significant experience
with corporate and project finance, business start-up, operations re-engineering, strategic planning, team
building and non-profit management.
Prior to joining the agency, Joe served as Executive Director of SosteNica, Inc., a nonprofit that works
with Nicaraguan farmers and their communities to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Earlier, he held multiple senior leadership positions within GE Capital where he managed a team
responsible for capital allocation, risk model development, portfolio analytics, and transaction risk
review for the Energy Financial Services division. His other responsibilities included a leadership role
in a joint venture focused on greenhouse gas mitigation projects, energy portfolio management and the
evaluation of new energy investments.
Prior to joining GE Capital, Joe formed and managed a sustainable forestry company operating in
Argentina. His early career responsibilities at the Prudential Investment Company included the
management of its renewable energy portfolio, which encompassed investments in many of the first
solar thermal, on-shore wind, and geothermal projects in the U.S.
Joe holds a Master of Forestry degree from the Yale School of the Environment and a B.A. in
Chemistry from Yale University.
Joe DeNicola serves as the Deputy Commissioner of Energy at the Connecticut Department of Energy
and Environmental Protection (DEEP), appointed in January 2024.
As Deputy Commissioner, Joe leads DEEP's Energy Branch as Connecticut transitions to a zero-carbon
electric grid by 2040 and economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of 80 percent below 2001
levels by 2050. He oversees development of Connecticut's Integrated Resources Plan and
Comprehensive Energy Strategy, clean energy procurements, and policies and programs to achieve
universal broadband access, energy affordability, energy efficiency, strategic electrification of the
transportation and housing sectors, and efforts to reduce state agency emissions, waste, and water use.
In his current role, Joe serves on the board of the Connecticut Green Bank and the Connecticut Wind
Collaborative.
Joe joined DEEP in 2023 as a Senior Advisor focusing on materials management and energy policy. He
has a broad background in energy and sustainable forestry and agriculture, and significant experience
with corporate and project finance, business start-up, operations re-engineering, strategic planning, team
building and non-profit management.
Prior to joining the agency, Joe served as Executive Director of SosteNica, Inc., a nonprofit that works
with Nicaraguan farmers and their communities to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Earlier, he held multiple senior leadership positions within GE Capital where he managed a team
responsible for capital allocation, risk model development, portfolio analytics, and transaction risk
review for the Energy Financial Services division. His other responsibilities included a leadership role
in a joint venture focused on greenhouse gas mitigation projects, energy portfolio management and the
evaluation of new energy investments.
Prior to joining GE Capital, Joe formed and managed a sustainable forestry company operating in
Argentina. His early career responsibilities at the Prudential Investment Company included the
management of its renewable energy portfolio, which encompassed investments in many of the first
solar thermal, on-shore wind, and geothermal projects in the U.S.
Joe holds a Master of Forestry degree from the Yale School of the Environment and a B.A. in
Chemistry from Yale University.
Tenaya Taylor, NAG
Tenaya works tirelessly to train folks to advocate for themselves.
They are a Capital Community College graduate, artist, program manager, and NAG founder. NAG is an inclusive arts and social justice organization dedicated to grassroots movement building.
Tenaya is a member of the executive committee of Sierra Club Connecticut, board member at Common Good, member of the Greater Hartford African American Alliance, sits on the Connecticut Renews Steering Committee, and Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) with the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
Tenaya's work in Greater Hartford includes housing families facing eviction, creating 3 community gardens,100 paid internships for young people in Hartford ages 13-30, building two little free food pantries, a little free library, and successfully advocating for increased tenant's rights at the Connecticut General Assembly through a bill that includes sealing evictions to increase housing accessibility. Tenaya has been an advocate for intersectional solutions on housing reform, clean energy, and abortion access at the Connecticut State Capital and Hartford City Hall documenting issues by regularly contributing to local newspapers such as the Connecticut Mirror and Hartford Courant.
They are a Capital Community College graduate, artist, program manager, and NAG founder. NAG is an inclusive arts and social justice organization dedicated to grassroots movement building.
Tenaya is a member of the executive committee of Sierra Club Connecticut, board member at Common Good, member of the Greater Hartford African American Alliance, sits on the Connecticut Renews Steering Committee, and Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) with the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
Tenaya's work in Greater Hartford includes housing families facing eviction, creating 3 community gardens,100 paid internships for young people in Hartford ages 13-30, building two little free food pantries, a little free library, and successfully advocating for increased tenant's rights at the Connecticut General Assembly through a bill that includes sealing evictions to increase housing accessibility. Tenaya has been an advocate for intersectional solutions on housing reform, clean energy, and abortion access at the Connecticut State Capital and Hartford City Hall documenting issues by regularly contributing to local newspapers such as the Connecticut Mirror and Hartford Courant.
Peter Millman, PACE
Municipalities can help lower the cost of electricity for all residents and small businesses, and provide more local control over energy policies. An added benefit: more competition and innovation in the energy sector.
This is already in place in serveral New Hampshire communities.
Peter Millman has a background in architecture, city planning, toy invention and real estate. He has happily collaborated with his colleagues at PACE over the past seven years, working on Community Choice Aggregation, Shared Clean Energy Facilities (our community power), and Network Geothermal, among other projects. He has been publishing the CT Green Energy News for almost 8 years. Anyone who would like to subscribe to this free, weekly email newsletter should let him know.
This is already in place in serveral New Hampshire communities.
Peter Millman has a background in architecture, city planning, toy invention and real estate. He has happily collaborated with his colleagues at PACE over the past seven years, working on Community Choice Aggregation, Shared Clean Energy Facilities (our community power), and Network Geothermal, among other projects. He has been publishing the CT Green Energy News for almost 8 years. Anyone who would like to subscribe to this free, weekly email newsletter should let him know.
All of Us!
Barry Kresch, EV Club of CT
More EVs make for cleaner air and lower driving costs.
Barry has been recognized for “Outstanding Leadership in EV Education” by the Southwest Connecticut Clean Cities Coalition, Barry Kresch has long been involved in environmental activism. He has been a club member and EV owner since 2012. His participation in the club includes doing the analytics, including the Interactive EV Dashboard tracking EV adoption in CT and a financial analysis of the Westport Police acquiring a Tesla Model 3 for use as a patrol car. He writes and manages the EVClubCT.com website, has published multiple Op-Ed pieces supporting EV-friendly policy, is a frequent speaker and often used as a resource for information about the state of EVs in CT by the press and others. He is on the Board of Directors for People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE), Board of Advisors for Sustainable Westport and the National Policy Committee of the Electric Vehicle Association (formerly Electric Auto Association).
Barry has been recognized for “Outstanding Leadership in EV Education” by the Southwest Connecticut Clean Cities Coalition, Barry Kresch has long been involved in environmental activism. He has been a club member and EV owner since 2012. His participation in the club includes doing the analytics, including the Interactive EV Dashboard tracking EV adoption in CT and a financial analysis of the Westport Police acquiring a Tesla Model 3 for use as a patrol car. He writes and manages the EVClubCT.com website, has published multiple Op-Ed pieces supporting EV-friendly policy, is a frequent speaker and often used as a resource for information about the state of EVs in CT by the press and others. He is on the Board of Directors for People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE), Board of Advisors for Sustainable Westport and the National Policy Committee of the Electric Vehicle Association (formerly Electric Auto Association).
Bernie Pelletier, PACE
Equitable access to energy efficiency initiative is a priority of the EEB.
Bernie serves as a Vice President for PACE. He also volunteers at the state level recently joining Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency Board as the Residential Representative. Prior to that he co-chaired the Building Working Group of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change. His focus at PACE is on building energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. Additionally, he is a member of the Connecticut Energy Network’s Steering Committee and serves on the Sustainable West Hartford Commission. In his corporate life he was a property casualty actuary. He enjoys spreadsheets.
Bernie serves as a Vice President for PACE. He also volunteers at the state level recently joining Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency Board as the Residential Representative. Prior to that he co-chaired the Building Working Group of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change. His focus at PACE is on building energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. Additionally, he is a member of the Connecticut Energy Network’s Steering Committee and serves on the Sustainable West Hartford Commission. In his corporate life he was a property casualty actuary. He enjoys spreadsheets.
Matt Corona, Abode Energy
Knowing the ins and outs of Heat Pump's impressive technology is key.
Matt is an energy efficiency professional focused on building decarbonization. Through his experience managing educational programs on heat pumps, weatherization, and other decarbonization measures, Matt is proud to have supported thousands of homeowners, renters, and building managers. A native of Connecticut, Matt grew up in the Waterbury area; returning a couple of years ago to be a part of Energize Connecticut. On weekends, you can find him outside trail running, rock climbing, and skiing.
Matt is an energy efficiency professional focused on building decarbonization. Through his experience managing educational programs on heat pumps, weatherization, and other decarbonization measures, Matt is proud to have supported thousands of homeowners, renters, and building managers. A native of Connecticut, Matt grew up in the Waterbury area; returning a couple of years ago to be a part of Energize Connecticut. On weekends, you can find him outside trail running, rock climbing, and skiing.
Kate Donnelly, Stop Project Maple
CT owes Kate and all the activists who are standing against the Project Maple pipeline. Methane leaks are just one of the downsides that plague natural gas pipelines.
Kate is a long time champion of the environment. She currently Chairs Hampton Green Energy, is a member of CT Sierra Club executive committee and of Windham/Willimantic NAACP Environmental Justice committee, a coordinator of No More Dirty Power in Killingly, a former Hampton First Selectman, a Community Outreach Manager for Solarize CT campaigns, & Partner in Donnelly/Colt Progressive Resources.
Kate is a long time champion of the environment. She currently Chairs Hampton Green Energy, is a member of CT Sierra Club executive committee and of Windham/Willimantic NAACP Environmental Justice committee, a coordinator of No More Dirty Power in Killingly, a former Hampton First Selectman, a Community Outreach Manager for Solarize CT campaigns, & Partner in Donnelly/Colt Progressive Resources.
Though some local Energy Task Forces existed before 2005, that's the year that the 20% by 2010 Clean Energy Campaign got started. In ten CT municipalities, local leaders began conducting neighbor to neighbor energy efficiency & clean energy campaigns, and the applause soon followed! Other towns jumped on board.
We are an ALL VOLUNTEER Network!
Not only has our collective success at the local level boosted statewide programs, we can lay claim to helping our neighbors slash their energy bills while reducing harmful emissions.
CWA Fall Toast
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