Since 2005 the Greater Waterbury YMCA has investigated the opportunity to install a Cogeneration system (which is like a mini powerplant and generates it's own electricity and heat) in its 1924, 90,000 square foot facility anchoring The Green in downtown Waterbury. The vision was to cut energy costs, provide reusable energy to heat operating systems and allow the cost savings to support programmatic needs to help the community.

Through the support of the Nonprofit Grant Program of the State of Connecticut and award of $500,000 in 2014, the Waterbury YMCA was able to move forward with its vision to install the energy efficient, clean, reliable Cogeneration system and back-up generator reducing harmful emissions for a greener environment.

In January 2016, the Cogeneration system came on-line and the YMCA saw immediately a savings of approx $4,000 per month, estimated to be $50,000 to $60,000 annual savings. These savings in turn will go back to support the programs and services of the Waterbury YMCA and its nine town service area serving tens of thousands of individuals annually.