• Those with the ability to authorize and implement community-based strategies
  • Civic leaders
  • Neighborhood groups
  • Business groups (e.g., Chamber of Commerce)
  • Service organizations (e.g. Rotary, Lions)
  • Environmental organizations
  • Workforce and educational providers
  • Energy efficiency contractors
  • Green-building guilds or groups
  • Faith-based organizations
• City staff
  • Public Works
  • Economic development
  • Land use planning
  • Environmental staff
• Larger sources of emissions
  • Hospitals
  • Universities and community colleges
  • K-12 energy managers
  • Other major employers
• Individuals with relevant expertise
  • Energy policy, advocacy or technical experts
  • Regional and state partners that you may already work with

Form a Clean Energy Task Force/Commission

Across the country, Clean Energy Task Forces or Commissions have proven to be effective groups in promoting the transition to clean energy. These entities speak with the authority of having been commissioned by the town authorities to address energy issues. As such, their recommendations and plans have greater authority and impact than those from other groups.

To find out if your town already has such a group, or to reach out to a representative from a neighboring town, use the link below. If you would like to form a new Clean Energy Task Force, below are sample charters for several existing groups.

Establish Initial Project Vision, Scope, High-Level Goals and Approach

For a project as bold and wide-ranging as the transition to renewable energy, it is essential for the team to share a common understanding of the basic project features. Clearly, many of these features will evolve as the project progresses, but it is important to take time up front to establish a common view of a few core areas.

• Vision: A clearly articulated, transparent, and shared vision of your community’s energy future sets the direction for subsequent decisions about focus areas, goals, and strategies for achieving those goals. You may wish to build on an established vision based on an existing community plan (e.g., Plan of Conservation and Development.) Or, you may wish to craft a completely fresh vision. Examples of clean energy vision statements are included in the resources below.
• Scope: The 100PercentCT vision encompasses the entire town’s energy consumption.  Some may expand this scope to include water preservation and land use.
• High-Level Goals: Your primary goal is to get to 100% renewable energy. The plan you construct must include a timeframe, economic impacts, and how the plan affects different segments of your community.
• Approach: How often will your team meet? Are you planning a larger workshop to determine the vision, scope and goals? What partners do you plan to engage? Will you conduct media outreach?