Connecticut Green Bank Honors Meadow Ridge Resident
The Connecticut Green Bank was honored to present its President’s Award to Meadow Ridge resident Susan Auslander at their 10th annual awards celebration. Susan led the Solar Committee at the senior living community owned by Redding Life Care and was instrumental in their efforts to bring a solar photovoltaic system online. The system will help reduce the facility’s energy costs by more than $7 million over the life of the system while offsetting more than 600 metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year. Also recognized were members of the Solar Committee Carol Morgan, Peggy Southard0 and Doug Dawson.
Recognizing Leadership in Sustainability
“It is with great excitement that I can recognize Susan Auslander with the President’s Award for 2024,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. “Susan’s leadership is a great example of the Green Bank’s vision for a planet protected by the love of humanity.”
A Resident-Driven Solar Initiative
“Our Meadow Ridge solar project has been a fun learning experience for my fellow residents and me. Even into our 90s we can continue to learn and innovate,” said Susan Auslander, chair Meadow Ridge Residents’ Solar Committee and Secretary, Residents Association Board. “May the Green Bank’s remarkable achievements over a 10-year period continue to inspire more solar projects around our Nutmeg State.”
State Leaders Applaud Efforts
State Sen. Ceci Maher (D-26) and State Rep. Anne Hughes (D-135) also honored Susan and her fellow Solar Committee members for their efforts.
“Susan Auslander’s hard work and perseverance resulted in millions of dollars of energy cost and emissions savings. Susan’s impact on Meadow Ridge, both from the solar success side and a modeling of community advocacy and leadership, is evidence that all of us can take action and enact change,” said Sen. Maher. “It’s an incredible accomplishment. On behalf of the state legislature, I’d like to thank her for her leadership and achievement as she proudly accepts this award.”
“I am truly humbled to represent the determination of this community, led by resident Susan Auslander and her allies here at Meadow Ridge and to participate in meaningful policymaking at the state level to address the climate crisis and renewable energy transition,” said Rep. Anne Hughes. “We got to partner with the Green Bank and demonstrate the possibilities and opportunities of collaboration, funding resources and the will to decarbonize and save energy costs for the community. This is how good government works for the community.”
A Collaborative Effort for a Greener Future
“Every step of this process—from our first discussions with the Solar Committee to flipping the switch in December—has been collaborative. We at Meadow Ridge are grateful for the vision and tenacity of Susan and the Solar Committee and for the essential role the Connecticut Green Bank played in bringing this project to life,” said Meadow Ridge Chief Operating Officer Brett Mehlman.
Pictured form left to right: Bryan Garcia, Peggy Southard0, Carol Morgan, Susan Auslander, State Rep. Anne Hughes and Doug Dawson.