Sustainable Durham

At the June 11, 2012 Selectmen’s Meeting approved the name change of: Clean Energy Task Force to Clean Energy & Sustainability Task Force 

Effective at the 6-11-2012 BOS meeting are the approved revised Goals and Objectives of Clean Energy & Sustainability Task Force:

Revised Goals & Objectives (June 2012)

As of early 2011, in a joint effort with the Town of Middlefield, the Durham Clean Energy Task Force had essentially executed all tasks presented to it under the guidelines of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s Clean Energy Communities program. Therefore, it is the intention of the commission, with support from the town’s Board of Selectmen, to broaden its scope to providing support and education to the community on issues of sustainability. The following mission statement, goals, and objectives are not comprehensive but will provide guidelines for moving forward with the task force’s revised direction.

I. Mission Statement

The mission of the Clean Energy Task Force (CTEF) is to enhance the municipal and residential environmental stewardship of the Durham community by sharing ideas, researching technologies, and recommending programs related to issues of sustainability. The Task Force and the Town recognize that facilitating protection of the environment and reducing the consumption of resources is a part of our civic responsibility; therefore, the commission strives to enhance the economic, social and natural environment of the Durham community by:

• Promoting the use of renewable resources in the Town of Durham,
• Highlighting the need for resource conservation in the Town of Durham,
• Advocating responsible use of resources in the Durham community and by the Town of Durham,
• Supporting the reduction of emissions that contribute to climate change,
• Protecting the natural resources within our local community as a contribution to the larger regional and global efforts to combat environmental degradation.

II. Goals and Objectives

Primary Goal: To provide education, resources, and support for the Town of Durham in matters of municipal and residential sustainability.

Focus Area 1: Clean Energy

Focus Area 2: Renewable Resources/Green Building

Focus Area 3: Water

Focus Area 4: Recycling

Focus Area 5: Composting

Focus Area 6: Other Opportunities