Rocky Hill, CT (Feb 24, 2020) – The Connecticut Green Bank is pleased to announce that Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin/Southington) has appointed Brenda Watson to its Board of Directors.

“Brenda Watson is a proven community leader who is working hard to help Connecticut’s low-to-moderate income families deal with rising energy costs,” stated Speaker Aresimowicz. “Her efforts, and that of Operation Fuel, can serve to guide the Green Bank in continuing to mobilize investment in underserved communities.”

Watson is the Executive Director of Operation Fuel, Inc., a Connecticut non-profit driven to reduce the home energy and water utility burden on low- and moderate-income Connecticut residents. Originally only a cold weather program, Operation Fuel now provides utility assistance grants all year. Their long-term strategy is to work with state leaders, the private energy sector, and community organizations to achieve equitable approaches to delivering affordable and renewable home energy and better manage water resources, with a focus on health and environment.

“I am grateful to Speaker Aresimowicz for appointing me to this exciting new position,” stated Watson. “The Green Bank has been making strides in bringing renewable energy and energy efficiency to all residents, and I look forward to helping them continue this mission and increase its impact to reach more families who could benefit from clean energy.”

Watson’s professional career spans 20 years in the areas of transportation planning, municipal government, community organizing, program planning, as well as development and fundraising. Watson serves on the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition as Board Secretary, CT League of Conservation Voters, Water Planning Commission-Advisory Group. She is Chair of The Low-Income Energy Advisory Board and recently served on Governor Ned Lamont’s Transition Committee for Energy Policy. Watson has Bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from Florida Memorial University and a Master’s in public policy from Trinity College.

“Brenda Watson understands the burden that high energy costs can place upon our most vulnerable families,” stated Lonnie Reed, Chairwoman of the Connecticut Green Bank. “While our drive towards inclusive prosperity has helped create parity in the installation of solar across all homeowners in the state, we know there is still much more to do in terms of weatherization and energy efficiency. Brenda has the expertise, commitment and track record to help guide us forward.”

Since its inception in July of 2011, the Connecticut Green Bank has mobilized nearly $1.7 billion of investment into the state’s green energy economy at a leverage ratio of $1 of public capital to $7 of private investment. This investment has reduced the burden of energy costs on over 40,000 families and businesses (including underserved low-to-moderate income families and small businesses), while creating more than 20,000 jobs in communities across the state, generating over $80 million of tax revenues, and reducing 5.8 MMTCO2 that result in over $200 million of public health savings over the life of the green energy projects.  The mission of the Connecticut Green Bank is to confront climate change and provide all of society a healthier and more prosperous future by increasing and accelerating the flow of private capital into markets that energize the green economy.