Exclusive Interview: Bryan Garcia Returns to the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund

Garcia’s Return Marks a Turning Point

On May 31, 2011, Connecticut Innovations announced that Bryan Garcia would return as President of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF). The decision, supported by both the CCEF Board and CI’s Finance Committee, put Garcia back at the helm of a program that has long shaped Connecticut’s renewable energy future.

CCEF Chair Norma Glover praised the move. She explained that Bryan Garcia’s track record, combined with his vision for scaling up clean energy, made him the right leader at the right time.

A Yale Bridge Between Business and Environment

Before his reappointment, Bryan Garcia directed programs at Yale’s Center for Business and the Environment. He brought together research, education, and business innovation to address global sustainability challenges.

Garcia’s work at Yale gave him a broader lens. He saw how private capital, public policy, and grassroots action could combine to accelerate climate solutions. This perspective made his return to Connecticut even more significant.

Signature Achievements During His First Term

While at CCEF from 2000 to 2007, Bryan Garcia spearheaded initiatives that reshaped the state’s clean energy landscape:

1. Clean Energy Communities Program – Garcia launched this award-winning effort to help towns adopt renewable energy. The program relied on a groundbreaking renewable energy credit system to make projects financially viable.
2. Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change – Garcia coordinated the effort that delivered Connecticut’s first comprehensive climate action plan. The plan won an EPA Climate Protection Award for aligning economic growth with environmental protection.
3. Green Building Leadership – Garcia co-founded the Connecticut Green Building Council, raising construction standards and promoting healthier, more efficient buildings.
4. SmartPower and National Partnerships – Garcia also co-founded SmartPower, extending clean energy outreach to households nationwide, while collaborating with organizations like the Clean Energy States Alliance and The Climate Group.

DEEP and the Next Chapter

Garcia’s return also aligned with Connecticut’s creation of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Commissioner Daniel C. Esty pledged to work closely with Garcia. He argued that Garcia’s leadership at CCEF would be central to advancing Governor Malloy’s vision for affordable, clean energy and statewide efficiency.

Why This Matters

Bryan Garcia’s appointment represents more than a personnel decision. It reflects Connecticut’s strategy to remain a leader in clean energy and climate action. With his experience at Yale, his history of award-winning programs, and his ability to bridge government, business, and community, Garcia is set to move the fund into a new era of growth and impact.