Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments
Sustainability
Connecticut DEEP-Funded Regional Waste Authority Study
With funding from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) through the Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program, RiverCOG is evaluating how waste and recycling systems operate across the region and exploring the feasibility of a regional waste authority.
Sustainable CT
Sustainable CT is a voluntary certification program to recognize thriving and resilient Connecticut municipalities. As an independently funded, grassroots, municipal effort, Sustainable CT provides a wide-ranging menu of best practices. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them, and earn points toward certification.
Sustainable CT's mission is to foster inclusive, resilient, and vibrant Connecticut municipalities that provide opportunities for all to thrive by: ​providing a menu of sustainability actions that build local economies, support equity, and respect the finite capacity of the environment; ​offering technical assistance to help advance sustainability initiatives; and​ recognizing and certifying municipalities for their achievements.
Total Participating Communities in RiverCOG: All of RiverCOG’s 17 communities participate in the program (7 registered, 4 certified bronze, 4 certified silver, 2 certified gold), with 3 RiverCOG communities recognized as climate leaders.
Sustainable CT Fellowship Program
RiverCOG is a strong supporter of the Sustainable CT Fellowship Program which places highly qualified fellows across the state’s Councils of Governments (COGs). These participants work tirelessly to help our communities become registered, certified, or recertified with Sustainable CT during the summer.
Fellows assist by researching and documenting communities’ sustainability work, support implementation of sustainability initiatives, and assist on COG projects that align with Sustainable CT goals. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work with one another on a group project addressing a statewide sustainability topic.
Eversource Community Partnership Initiative
RiverCOG has been awarded grant funding through Eversource’s Community Partnership Initiative to connect residents and small businesses with energy saving programs meant to lower energy bills and increase the comfort and efficiency of our resident’s homes and workplaces. In partnership with the Sustainability Committees of Chester, Deep River, East Hampton, and Portland, People’s Action for Clean Energy, and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, RiverCOG is supporting outreach campaigns meant to inform the public of Eversource’s Home Energy Solutionsâ„ , and Small Business Energy Advantage initiatives. Follow us through our HeatSmart campaign.