Trainings & Events

Relevant Building Sectors: All commercial buildings

Recommended for: Regular users of Portfolio Manager who want to learn its most advanced features

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Webinar Level: Advanced 

Are you well-versed in the basic functionality of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool and ready to take advantage of more advanced features? If so, join this webinar to learn about the tool’s most advanced features, including using spreadsheet upload templates to update property data, setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties, creating custom reports, and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist.

Attend this webinar if you’re interested in:

• Learning about Portfolio Manager’s most advanced features, including goal setting, custom reports, and more

Speaker: 

• Maddy Albee, ICF

Learn methods and strategies to meaningfully engage your community. Organizers, Ruby Olisemeka and Adrian Huq will share their experience engaging environmental justice communities in New York and Connecticut. Panelists will share the importance of trust building and points to consider for ongoing community involvement. There will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions and share challenges to gain more insight.
 

This webinar will provide an introduction and overview of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). It will walk through the major findings presented in the Overview chapter and provide a demonstration of how to navigate the online report and resources. It will also highlight some of the new features of NCA5, such as Art × Climate, which is the first art gallery to be featured in the NCA. It will guide users to resources including podcasts, recorded webinars, and Spanish translations of the NCA5 chapters. The webinar will also specifically highlight and demo the NCA Interactive Atlas, which provides access to the data compiled for NCA5 and enables users to do custom analysis and mapping.
 

Join us for the January Coffee Hour as we discuss the importance of sustainable Winter operations and management. We will be joined by Mary McCarthy, T2 Center Program Director, and Shannon O’Loughlin, T2 Center Educational Program Coordinator, who will provide an overview of the T2 Center's programs, the CT Green Snow Pro training program, and how it can help your municipality manage snow more sustainably and earn points towards action 3.14, Implement Sustainable Snow Management. We will also hear from Tom Modzelewski, Director of Public Works, WPCA Administrator, and Tree Warden for the Town of Ellington. Ellington is a leader in sustainable snow management and is the only town in the state to earn all 60 points available under Action 3.14.

Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third Thursdays of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
 

Hosted by the New England Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, this webinar is specifically designed to help community organizations and environmental justice leaders navigate pro-bono technical assistance to secure grant funding. To familiarize communities with the array of resources, this webinar will walk through support systems and processes for organizations provided by their Technical Assistance Team. Key topics include:

• How the Technical Assistance Center can support you before, during, and after the grant submission process
• How to submit a technical assistance request
• How to access one-on-one support
• Where to access guides and templates for grant proposals
• Upcoming webinars and office hours for continued support

The Community Partnership Initiative seeks to leverage the local knowledge, trusted relationships, and experience of local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and environmental justice municipalities in Connecticut who are committed to raising awareness and measurable participation in the Sponsors’ energy efficiency offerings within their own communities.

Applicants are asked to share information on outreach campaigns that they would like to undertake during 2025 in their community to: drive participation in Energize Connecticut energy efficiency programs including Home Energy Solutions^SM – Income Eligible and Small Business Energy Advantage; increase income eligible customer heat pump adoption; and conduct outreach to renters and property owners/managers of multifamily properties with 5+ dwelling units promoting the Multifamily Initiative.

Informational webinars will be held on Tuesday, January 21 at noon and 7:00 p.m.

• To sign up for the noon webinar, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. webinar, please click here.

Open question forums will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at noon and 7:00 p.m. The forums will briefly cover the information presented during the January webinars and focus on Q&A from prospective applicants.

• To sign up for the noon forum, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. forum, please click here.

Round 3 Applications are Due Friday, March 14, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. Access the application and learn more on EnergizeCT.com.
 

The Community Partnership Initiative seeks to leverage the local knowledge, trusted relationships, and experience of local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and environmental justice municipalities in Connecticut who are committed to raising awareness and measurable participation in the Sponsors’ energy efficiency offerings within their own communities.

Applicants are asked to share information on outreach campaigns that they would like to undertake during 2025 in their community to: drive participation in Energize Connecticut energy efficiency programs including Home Energy Solutions^SM – Income Eligible and Small Business Energy Advantage; increase income eligible customer heat pump adoption; and conduct outreach to renters and property owners/managers of multifamily properties with 5+ dwelling units promoting the Multifamily Initiative.

Informational webinars will be held on Tuesday, January 21 at noon and 7:00 p.m.

• To sign up for the noon webinar, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. webinar, please click here.

Open question forums will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at noon and 7:00 p.m. The forums will briefly cover the information presented during the January webinars and focus on Q&A from prospective applicants.

• To sign up for the noon forum, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. forum, please click here.

Round 3 Applications are Due Friday, March 14, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. Access the application and learn more on EnergizeCT.com.
 

Relevant Building Sectors: All commercial buildings

Recommended for: Building owners, managers, and service providers

Duration: 1 hour

Webinar Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Every other Wednesday at noon, ENERGY STAR holds a Portfolio Manager “Ask the Expert” session. It’s a live webinar that gives all users an opportunity to ask their questions directly to EPA experts in an open forum. Want to talk to a “real” person? Have a question about how Portfolio Manager calculates your score? Want to learn more about entering Green Power? Join ENERGY STAR and they’ll answer all your questions about Portfolio Manager in this public forum.
 

The Partners for Places matching grant program supports & equitable sustainability projects and helps build partnerships between local government leaders, frontline community groups and place-based funders in the U.S. and Canada.

These matching awards provide partnership investments between $45,000 and $100,000 for one-year projects, or between $75,000 and $150,000 for two-year projects, with one or more local foundations required to provide at least a 50% matching grant.

The deadline to submit proposals is February 28, 2025.

Are you curious to learn more about submitting a successful proposal for the Partners for Places grant program? Join The Funders Network on Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. ET for an informational webinar to learn more!
 

Join the Connecticut Green Bank as experts provide an update on Green Bank programs and solutions for homes, buildings, and investments. Topics will include updates on Energy Storage Solutions, C-PACE, Smart-E, Environmental Infrastructure, and more.
 

Relevant Building Sectors: All commercial buildings

Recommended for: Energy managers, facility managers, sustainability professionals, and service providers

Duration: 1 hour

Webinar Level: Intermediate and Advanced

IMPORTANT: The method for entering green power in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager has changed. Join ENERGY STAR to learn how to correctly benchmark properties that use offsite electricity. When green power is entered correctly—capturing the various flows of grid and renewable electricity in and out of the property—Portfolio Manager accounts for the impact of offsite renewables on energy performance and greenhouse gas emissions.

This training will cover:

• The data required to enter offsite green power.
• How to enter offsite green power into Portfolio Manager.
• The impacts of offsite green power on ENERGY STAR metrics.
• The eligibility requirements for NextGen.

Note: Green power will be a requirement for ENERGY STAR NextGen certification (available this winter).

Speaker:

• Maddy Albee, ICF

Hosted by the New England Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, this webinar is designed to equip community organizations and environmental justice leaders with practical guidance on how to successfully identify and submit proposals for environmental justice projects. To address the unique needs and challenges faced by underserved and/or low-capacity communities, this webinar will walk participants through the submission process, ensuring that proposals stand out and meet funding agencies’ requirements. Key topics include:

• Overview of the grant proposal process
• Steps and timeline for grant writing: Best practices for writing and submitting proposals
• Tips for preparing supporting documents, such as budgets and letters of support
• Avoiding common mistakes before, during, and after the submission process
• Tips for navigating barriers and increasing competitiveness

Join the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven for a presentation and discussion with DataHaven's Mark Abraham about the recently compiled 2024 DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey. The survey includes responses from more than 7,000 live, in-depth interviews with randomly-selected adults in every Connecticut town. With data from more than 50,000 survey responses since 2015, DataHaven will present trends on key issues for Connecticut and Greater New Haven such as community vitality, health equity, and family economic security. New topics that were added to the survey include entrepreneurship, mental health care, and family and child well-being. A conversation with The Community Foundation staff and Q & A with the audience will follow the presentation.
 

Connecticut’s cost-of-living crisis is holding back economic growth, with nearly half of residents lacking economic security exacerbated by the state’s elevated housing costs. How can policymakers respond with targeted solutions that strengthen the economy and support the state’s workforce?

Come hear from housing expert Kristen Klurfield of the Bipartisan Policy Center as she discusses her report, Exploring the Affordable Housing Shortage's Impact on American Workers, Jobs, and the Economy, and Deputy Commissioner Matt Pugliese of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development, as the Partnership launch’s our 2024 legislative priorities. State legislators, policy leaders, and housing advocates are welcome to come explore how investments in deeply affordable housing can drive economic growth and create lasting community stability.

Experts will explore data-backed policies that address housing as a critical economic strategy—boosting workforce stability, business development, and long-term prosperity. Discover how targeting our state investments towards deeply affordable housing solutions can reduce economic inequality and create opportunity for low-wage workers while driving statewide growth.

Agenda

1:00 – Partnership Welcome

1:10 – Opening Remarks: Deputy Commissioner Matt Pugliese, CT DECD

1:30 – Keynote Presentation: Senior Policy Analyst Kristen Klurfield, Bipartisan Policy Center

2:15 – Panel of CT Residents and Business Leaders, more speaker information to come

3:00 – Closing and Legislative Action Items
 

This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Attendance at all three sessions is required.

Sessions run 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on: February 4, March 4, and March 25. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Anyone is welcome to register and participate.

Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live, interactive training and will NOT be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will actively participate in three different workshops:

February 4: Be READI© for Municipalities - This workshop introduces the foundational principles of the Be READI© framework. During the session, participants will learn values-based strategies for integrating belonging, representation, equity, access, diversity, and inclusion into their core functions and services.

March 4: Anti-Racism in Action - This workshop empowers municipal leaders to implement anti-racism initiatives by elevating the conversation from awareness to action. This session provides a roadmap for turning anti-racist principles into tangible improvements in municipal governance.

March 25: Facilitating Race Dialogues - This session takes the art of conversation to the next level, offering techniques for leaders to facilitate dialogues on race. The focus will be on managing complex dynamics, navigating sensitive topics, and using conversational frameworks that promote deeper understanding and collective progress.

This webinar is eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) professional development credit from the CT Conference of Municipalities.
 

The Community Partnership Initiative seeks to leverage the local knowledge, trusted relationships, and experience of local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and environmental justice municipalities in Connecticut who are committed to raising awareness and measurable participation in the Sponsors’ energy efficiency offerings within their own communities.

Applicants are asked to share information on outreach campaigns that they would like to undertake during 2025 in their community to: drive participation in Energize Connecticut energy efficiency programs including Home Energy Solutions^SM – Income Eligible and Small Business Energy Advantage; increase income eligible customer heat pump adoption; and conduct outreach to renters and property owners/managers of multifamily properties with 5+ dwelling units promoting the Multifamily Initiative.

Informational webinars will be held on Tuesday, January 21 at noon and 7:00 p.m.

• To sign up for the noon webinar, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. webinar, please click here.

Open question forums will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at noon and 7:00 p.m. The forums will briefly cover the information presented during the January webinars and focus on Q&A from prospective applicants.

• To sign up for the noon forum, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. forum, please click here.

Round 3 Applications are Due Friday, March 14, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. Access the application and learn more on EnergizeCT.com.
 

The Community Partnership Initiative seeks to leverage the local knowledge, trusted relationships, and experience of local community groups, nonprofit organizations, and environmental justice municipalities in Connecticut who are committed to raising awareness and measurable participation in the Sponsors’ energy efficiency offerings within their own communities.

Applicants are asked to share information on outreach campaigns that they would like to undertake during 2025 in their community to: drive participation in Energize Connecticut energy efficiency programs including Home Energy Solutions^SM – Income Eligible and Small Business Energy Advantage; increase income eligible customer heat pump adoption; and conduct outreach to renters and property owners/managers of multifamily properties with 5+ dwelling units promoting the Multifamily Initiative.

Informational webinars will be held on Tuesday, January 21 at noon and 7:00 p.m.

• To sign up for the noon webinar, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. webinar, please click here.

Open question forums will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at noon and 7:00 p.m. The forums will briefly cover the information presented during the January webinars and focus on Q&A from prospective applicants.

• To sign up for the noon forum, please click here.

• To sign up for the 7:00 p.m. forum, please click here.

Round 3 Applications are Due Friday, March 14, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. Access the application and learn more on EnergizeCT.com.
 

This webinar put on by the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and the CT GIS Office will showcase several new statewide geospatial datasets generated using GeoAI from the 2023 high-resolution LiDAR and imagery data. The webinar will introduce new statewide geospatial products including tree canopy height, plant area index, and foliage height diversity, and will discuss how these products contribute to downstream analysis and synthesis efforts, such as urban tree equity, forest carbon modelling, and roadside vegetation management.
 

Join Sustainable CT for our February Coffee Hour about the roles of municipal sustainability staff in Connecticut! Cecelia Drayton, Director of Sustainability for the City of Hartford, and Megan Granato, Sustainability and Resilience Manager for the Town of Groton, will be speaking about their work, how their communities are tackling sustainability, and answering your questions.

Join Sustainable CT for virtual, informal, discussions most third Thursdays of each month. We share program updates and resources, explore your questions, and strengthen the network of Sustainable CT champions. These sessions are free and open to all.
 

The Connecticut Land Conservation Conference is Connecticut's premier gathering for land conservation enthusiasts, boasting a vibrant mix of nearly 600 attendees. This unique event stands out for its dynamic blend of training, networking, and information-sharing designed for land trusts, conservation groups, and those interested in land conservation across Connecticut.

Join a broad spectrum of attendees representing municipal land use commissions, state agencies, private groups with conservation missions including enthusiasts from garden clubs and various grassroots-level land conservation advocates, students, and more!
 

This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Attendance at all three sessions is required.

Sessions run 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on: April 10, May 8, and June 12. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Anyone is welcome to register and participate.

Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live, interactive training and will NOT be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will actively participate in three different workshops:

April 10: From Unconscious Bias to Systemic Change - This workshop goes beyond recognizing unconscious bias to crafting strategies for systemic change. The session offers theoretical insights and practical tools to reshape the municipal landscape for equity and justice.

May 8: Race & Community - Deepening Engagement and Solidarity - This workshop is designed to deepen community engagement around issues of race and racism. This interactive session will focus on building partnerships, coalitions, and networks that can amplify efforts to challenge racism and build equitable communities.

June 12: Persuasion for Progress - Influencing Change in Community Attitudes - Aiming to create progressive shifts in community attitudes, this workshop provides participants with nuanced approaches to community conversation, listening, resistance, and persuasion. Understanding that change often meets resistance, this session equips leaders with psychological insights and advanced communication strategies to transform skepticism into support for the Be READI© principles.

This webinar is eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) professional development credit from the CT Conference of Municipalities.
 

This free, three-part, virtual equity workshop series provides a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Attendance at all three sessions is required.

Sessions run 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on: June 17, July 22, and August 26. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Anyone is welcome to register and participate.

Attendance is capped at 35. This will be a live, interactive training and will NOT be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.

Attendees will actively participate in three different workshops:

June 17: Be READI© Leadership - Championing Equity at the Forefront - "Be READI© Leadership: Championing Equity at the Forefront" is a workshop for those ready to lead by example in equity and inclusion. Participants will explore leadership techniques, including influencing organizational culture, inspiring teams, and leading equitable change initiatives that yield measurable results.

July 22: Measuring What Matters - Assessing DEI Impact in Municipalities -  "Measuring What Matters: Assessing DEI Impact in Municipalities" focuses on tracking progress and evaluating the impact of DEI initiatives. Municipal leaders will learn to collect and analyze data, report on findings, and use insights to drive continuous improvement and accountability in DEI efforts.

August 26: Sustainable Change - Institutionalizing Be READI© Practices - "Sustainable Change: Institutionalizing Be READI© Practices" is designed to ensure the longevity and resilience of DEI efforts. Leaders will be equipped with strategies for policy development, stakeholder engagement, and creating a municipal infrastructure that supports lasting DEI integration.

This webinar is eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) professional development credit from the CT Conference of Municipalities.