Nature - Community - Science 

Sustainability 

 

Sustainability works at the intersection of environmental, social, and economic well-being.  This lens for addressing natural resource management is helpful because humans are inextricably tied to the environment.  As noted by the EPA, balancing societal needs with environmental constraints for current and future generations is a key goal of sustainability science. 

 

Human development has impacts on the environment.  Some negative effects include pollution, resource degradation, threats to wildlife, water contamination, and global warming.  Planning for sustainability can help mitigate these challenges while supporting peoples’ quality of life.  

 

Meriden is working to advance sustainability goals in the city.  These efforts encourage energy efficient infrastructure, renewable resources, and healthy natural spaces.  While the city cannot go back in time to change zoning, future planning efforts aim to integrate sustainability into upcoming projects and redevelopment.  One key goal is to consider the potential for residents and businesses to retrofit what is already in place to be more sustainable.  

 

For another initiative on sustainability, visit our section on the value of Tree Canopy.   

 

Hydropower 

 

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, hydropower is energy produced from moving water.  One form of hydropower in Meriden is the Archimedes Screw Turbine at Hanover Pond.  This system, installed by the New England Hydropower Company, is the first of its kind in the United States.  The technology generates power as water falls down Hanover Pond dam and turns the screw.  

 

Based on an interview with the New England Hydropower Company, the Archimedes Screw Turbine generates approximately 900,000 kilowatt hours per year.  This is equivalent to energy for about 150 homes.  Most of the energy derived from this technology goes towards powering city services like fire stations and schools.  An article by NBC Connecticut reported that the hydropower generator could cut the city’s electricity costs by about $20,000 each year.   

 

One drawback of hydropower is the impact on local wildlife and habitat fragmentation.  However, with the help of a fish passage, the Archimedes Screw ensures nearly 100% survivability for fish who get into the system going downstream.  This allows for fish to migrate, get to spawning habitats, and territorially move.  Fish are not supposed to get into the system going upstream, but if they do, survivability is not likely.  Assessing safety for other wildlife like eels requires further investigation and monitoring.  

 

Minimizing hydropower’s impact on wildlife and the environment can be costly.  The New England Hydropower Company reported that monitoring fish movement for 3 years after the system’s construction resulted in $10,00-15,000 of related annual costs.  Installing a fish passage can also add millions of dollars to construction budgets.  These extra costs may discourage investors if the return on investment becomes too low.  Finding a good balance between conservation initiatives and hydropower is an important process in clean energy planning and expansion. 

 

Solar Power 

 

Solar technologies convert sunlight into energy.  Meriden has three solar farms located at a capped landfill on Evansville Avenue, Meriden-Markham Airport, and Meriden Water Pollution Control Facility.  The city is also planning for solar carports (built to cover parking areas) at the Department of Public Works and police station.  Local schools were considered for the same project but preferred solar panels on roofs instead.  Solar carports are beneficial because they give empty space a purpose, protect cars from weather conditions, and create shade. 

 

Meriden’s 2020 Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) reported that in 2015, 3,672 solar panels were installed at the landfill location.  An article by NBC Connecticut predicted that the project, contracted for 20 years, could save the city between $870,000 and $2.3 million in electricity costs.  The article also reported that solar infrastructure could save up to $1.4 million at the airport and $328,000 at the water treatment plant. 

 

Solar power has benefits for the environment.  It can reduce air pollution, dependency on non-renewable resources like fossil fuels, and slow global warming.  However, like hydropower, installation can be costly and take many years to see a return on investment.  This poses a challenge for securing project funding and interest in renewable energy.  

 

Energy Efficient Infrastructure

 

Meriden promotes energy efficient infrastructure.  One main initiative is the use of energy efficient LED lights in municipal buildings, airports, fire stations, traffic lights, and street lights.  Motion sensors on the LED lights further help to reduce energy consumption.  The city predicts that these updates contribute significantly to cost and energy savings over time. 

 

Modernizing traffic lights is another goal of Meriden’s sustainable infrastructure plans.  There is a $3 million traffic signal improvement program in place to improve accessibility though downtown and reduce wait times.  This will be accomplished through adjusting traffic signals, changing one-way streets to two ways, and improving pedestrian access.  The goal of these updates is to keep less vehicles on the road and reduce carbon dioxide emissions released into the air.  

 

Natural Spaces 

 

Natural spaces promote environmental protection and enjoyment of nature by people.  Meriden is working to maintain these areas and make them more accessible to the public.  The city has a good amount of footpaths, multi-use trails, on-road trails, and park trails.  The Mattabassett and Metacomet sections of the New England Scenic Trail run southeast to northwest along the traprock ridge system through town.  These trails are being expanded to offer connections between one another and the city.  One major internal trail expansion is occurring along Harbor Brook, a main channel in Meriden. 

 

Removing invasive plants and reinstating native ones is critical for effective natural resource management.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an invasive species is any organism that brings economic or ecological harm to an environment where it does not belong.  Meriden facilitates spraying of invasive species biannually along impacted waterways like the Meriden Green and Brookside Park.  Riparian planting is also underway at Brookside Park to reinstate native species back into the habitat.  

 

Increasing ecological value can improve public open spaces.  For example, Meriden is currently organizing a pollinator pathway pilot program.  Pollinator pathways are habitats that attract and provide food for important pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  So far, one pollinator pathway has been installed at Brookside Park.  Meriden is collaborating with schools to help involve students in the process and give them a sense of ownership in the project.  Students can then pass on their knowledge to the greater community. 

 

The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) also has a volunteer-run 50’ x 50’ butterfly and bee garden.  In 2009 the aim of the project was to create a sustainable food source and sanctuary for nature’s pollinators.  Due to drought, aggressive weeds, and lack of volunteers during the growing season the “garden” was revamped in 2017 to a “pollinating habitat” which more accurately reflects the original objective.  The habitat has been divided into sections and is cared for by an Advanced Master Gardener and Master Gardener, both volunteers.  Examples of plants growing in the habitat include:
 

Bee Balm

Common Milkweed

Sedum

Yarrow

Catmint

Bronze Fennel

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Sources and Methods 

 

Information about Meriden’s sustainability initiatives was collected through interviews with practitioners in the field.  The hydropower section built on a conversation with the chief marketing officer of New England Hydropower Company.  Discussion about solar power, energy efficient infrastructure, and natural spaces came from an interview with municipal officials from the City of Meriden.  Finally, details about the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) pollinating habitat were courtesy of QRWA. Other sources are linked directly in the document.