The former commissioner of the Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Daniel Esty, now a professor at Yale, had a thought-provoking guest commentary in the New York Times on Sept. 21 - "Bottom Up Climate Fix". In Esty's opinion, the real opportunity for meaningful progress on climate change is coming from governors, mayors and community leaders as opposed to another gathering of heads of state, world leaders and "deep thinkers," like the one held recently at the United Nations.

Certainly no one will confuse Norwich with Copenhagen, Paris or New York City. But the progress we are making as a city in our natural gas expansion efforts and their collective impact on our environment is a source of great pride in the Rose City.

In 2010, recognizing the financial and environmental benefits of natural gas, the City of Norwich and Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) embarked upon an ambitious program to expand natural gas service to more of our residents. The strategy was outlined and implemented by NPU and was overwhelmingly endorsed by voters in two referendums, in 2010 and 2012, totaling $11 million.

Given the size of our city, we have been able to work quickly to answer the questions of our customers, address issues as they arise, and deliver new natural gas service to 1,500 customers over the past four years.

NPU customers converting their homes to natural gas from oil are enjoying substantial financial benefits each month. Our calculations show that the typical residential household will save more than $1,100 each year they use natural gas to heat their home. In addition to these customers saving a collective $1.65 million each year, NPU will realize nearly $2.25 million in new annual revenue, 10 percent of which is returned to the city's General Fund.

While sizable monthly savings for our customers and new revenue for the city and NPU are important, it is the cumulative environmental benefits of this effort that may have the longest and most significant impact in Norwich and our region.

By converting 1,500 customers to natural gas, Norwich residents have already kept more than seven million pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted into our atmosphere. According to calculations made on the Environmental Protection Agency's website (http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html), each year, this equals the environmental impact of:

• 7.7 million miles driven by an average passenger vehicle

• 1,168 tons of waste sent to a landfill

• 3,500,000 pounds of coal burned

• 366,000 gallons of gas consumed

• 7,581 barrels of oil consumed

Our success increasing the use of natural gas and improving the environment can be attributed to a single word: cooperation. We've worked tirelessly - and closely - with the state through its Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) as well as local lenders, to make the conversion process both seamless and cost-effective for our customers.

The 110-year partnership between NPU and Norwich has been focused on meeting the needs and addressing the concerns of customers every day. And it is by listening closely and working together that we've been able to make such a difference - both short- and long-term - for our community and our environment.

Deb Hinchey is the mayor of Norwich, John Bilda the general manager of Norwich Public Utilities.