In 2004, he began initiating education and awareness campaigns that laid the foundation for Portland’s clean energy future. In 2005, Andy started the Portland Clean Energy Task Force, and hundreds of town residents signed up to support cleaner energy through their electric bills.

“I was happy to promote this in Portland and met with Green Bank staff to plan the roll-out. Of course, without the idea coming from the Green Bank, there would have been nothing to promote.”

Through Andy’s efforts, Portland did well in that campaign and was one of the very first recipients of a solar array from Connecticut Green Bank’s Clean Energy Communities program, which was energized in 2008. 

Meanwhile, in 2006, Andy installed solar panels on his own roof, witnessing firsthand the savings and benefits. The price for that array was $8.52 per watt. Today it’s around $3 per watt. No non-renewable energy technology has seen a drop in price like that,” Andy added. 

Andy believes in the cumulative power of individual actions for community growth. “I was ready and willing to arrange solar seminars and table at town events,” he said. “The interest was there, and the Green Bank provided incentives through the Residential Solar Incentive Program and innovative financing solutions to make it happen.”

Portland has seen a significant increase in community awareness, solar installations, and energy efficient measures. “The cool thing is, these actions bring predictable savings, financially, the returns are a safe bet. That got attention of the private sector, which started financing these projects, and allowed the Green Bank subsidies to be reduced or sunset altogether,” said Andy.

As a key member of the Connecticut Energy Network (CTEN), Andy organizes and collaborates with other town clean energy task forces and organizations to promote initiatives aimed at transitioning to renewable energy. His work with CTEN has been instrumental in empowering local task forced by promoting energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and home energy solutions. 

“Clean energy task forces and community groups are incredibly important in combatting misinformation, launching successful campaigns, and advocacy that moves state leadership,” said Andy. 

Andy’s longstanding community efforts have laid the foundation for notable projects in Portland. In 2023, the Brownstone Intermediate School installed a 67 kW solar array through the Solar Marketplace Assistance Program Plus (SolarMAP+), that is projected to save the town over $10,000 annually in energy costs, and more than $106,000 over the term of the power purchase agreement. https://www.ctgreenbank.com/portland-solar-brownstone-school/

“The Brownstone school solar array is a great project to highlight how the Green Bank’s assistance has evolved,” said Andy. “Their consistent reimagining of clean energy solutions continues to advance and benefit our communities, even as the rest of the industry faces challenges in adapting to today’s energy landscape.”

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Andy was awarded the 2025 Outstanding Community Partner award by the Connecticut Green Bank. His story is a testament to the power of local leadership and community collaboration in the pursuit of a Planet Protected by the Love of Humanity.