Fairfield Gets $1.16 Million for Emergency Microgrid Program

Fairfield is one of eight communities in Connecticut to receive funding through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's $18 million Microgrid Pilot Program.

The program is designed to develop innovative ways to keep critical buildings powered during electric grid outages, according to a joint statement by Gov. Dannel Malloy and DEEP Commissioner Daniel Esty.  

“Microgrids play a major role in our efforts to modernize and harden our infrastructure to withstand severe weather,” Malloy said. “These projects will help protect residents and vital public services even when the power goes out, and in doing so allow us to provide critical services during times of emergency."

Fairfield was granted $1.16 million Thursday to convert existing diesel generators to instead be powered by natural gas to keep the police station, Emergency Operations Center, cell tower, fire headquarters, Operation Hope's public shelter running during major outages caused by natural disasters.

The town has, under a different grant, secured funding for two photovoltaic generators -- one atop of fire headquarters, the other on Operation Hope.

Together, the projects should ensure those community resources remain powered during and after damaging storms.

“I am very grateful that our community is receiving this critical funding since it is crucial to keep our public and infrastructure safe,” First Selectman Michael Tetreau said. “The Fairfield Public Safety Microgrid project will ensure that our police station, fire department headquarters, and the homeless shelter at Operation Hope will always have 100 percent of their electric needs provided in any disaster.”

The grants were applied for by Ed Boman, Fairfield's energy manager and assistant director of Public Works. Members of the state delegation to Hartford congratulated Boman Thursday at Sullivan Independence Hall for his dedication to securing sustainable energy projects for Fairfield.

"This application was part of a very competitive process," State Rep. Tony Hwang, R-134, said. "I was personally told our application was superior and, as a result, got money for this town."

That money is crucial, especially for a coastal community like Fairfield, according to State Rep. Brenda Kupchick, R-132.

"When our whole coastline was knocked out [after Superstorm Sandy], these guys were down there, working around-the-clock," Kupchick said, referring to Fairfield's emergency responders.

"It's not a joke -- this was a huge safety issue, and they need to be able to communicate...and we are giving them the tools to do that."

Police Captain Don Smith added that having a reliable source of power at the Emergency Communications Center is "key" when responding to storm-related calls.

Not only will the Emergency Communications Center be able to receive calls no matter what happens to United Illuminating's electric grid, but residents will be able to make those calls -- the town's cell tower is included in this microgrid project.

The seven other towns awarded funding are Bridgeport, Groton, Hartford, Middletown, Storrs, Windham, and Woodbridge. Malloy has recommended an additional $30 million in funding for the state's microgrid program over the next two years.