Some of you may remember Jordan and Alex from the March GreenDrinks event at iPark...
By Brian Lockhart
Staff Writer
Stamford Advocate
WINDSOR
- Of the nearly dozen individuals, including Stamford Mayor Dannel
Malloy, the state honored yesterday for helping the environment, two
were barely tall enough to peer over the podium to deliver acceptance
speeches.
Two Wilton boys, Jordan Reichgut, 10, and Alex Scaperotta, who
told the crowd he is almost 10, were presented with leadership awards
by the Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change.
The third annual ceremony was hosted at the Windsor offices of
ING Financial Services, honored for its green architecture and
conservation initiatives that include urging workers to use coffee mugs
at work and recycle office supplies and paper.
When they were 8, Jordan and Alex and their parents founded
Little People, Big Changes, a club that encouraged 120 Wilton
households to sign up for the state's Clean Energy Options program.
The program allows customers of Connecticut Light & Power
and United Illuminating to pay a voluntary clean energy surcharge to
help fund wind, hydroelectric and landfill gas projects that contribute
to the nation's electric grid.
Anne George, commissioner of the state Department of Public
Utility Control, presented the boys with their award, saying the state
has many programs to help residents conserve energy and it is important
to spread the word.
George said state officials launched Clean Energy Options with
trepidation, knowing Connecticut residents pay high utility costs.
"I can only hope my children start taking on some
of the activities Alex and Jordan have," George said. "When I was 8
years old, I was just running around the neighborhood, playing."
The boys also launched a "no idling" campaign in Wilton to reduce
auto emissions and have made several presentations to schoolchildren
and officials.
