UI Awarded Connecticut Utility Company of the Year and Corporate Partner of the Year
Recognitions for UI highlight community impact and commitment to a future of clean energy
ORANGE, Conn. — July 17, 2025 — Today, United Illuminating (UI), subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc., announced it has been chosen for the Connecticut Utility Company of the Year Award from the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition (NREC) and Corporate Partner of the Year Award from The Center for Family Justice (CFJ). The company received the award from CFJ at their Annual Awards on June 24, 2025, and from NREC during the inaugural Connecticut Clean Energy Week Awards Gala on June 27, 2025.
“At UI, we are committed to building a great future for the communities we serve, whether that’s through building a more resilient, sustainable energy future, or through partnering with organizations on the front lines of bettering our customers’ lives,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of UI. “Accepting these awards from the Northeast Renewable Energy Council and from The Center for Family Justice is a great honor and a reflection of the many years of work towards these essential objectives. We look forward to continuing to support our community and deliver safe, reliable service to our customers.”
The NREC is a dynamic organization dedicated to advancing a sustainable and equitable energy future in the Northeast. NREC’s Connecticut Utility Company of the Year award recognizes the hard work and dedication shown by the UI team and their commitment to revolutionizing the future of energy. Reynolds accepted the award from NREC President Aman Patel during NREC’s Connecticut Clean Energy Week, the first of its kind in the state. The organization’s Clean Energy Weeks are events dedicated to fostering a sustainable and equitable energy future for Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, with a mission to bring together businesses, communities, policymakers, and citizens to advance clean energy solutions and empower everyone to embrace sustainable energy practices.
CFJ’s mission is to break the cycle of abuse and violence – domestic, sexual and child – by providing services that create hope, restore lives and drive social change through education and community collaboration. The nonprofit provides free, confidential crisis and supportive services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the communities of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. Services include crisis hotlines, shelter, counseling, court advocacy, legal and self-sufficiency services, prevention education and training. UI has supported CFJ since 2000 and has since donated over $143,000 to the organization. This funding includes sponsorships, the State of CT Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credits, and a $50,000 donation in 2022 to support the recently-completed Empower House project. The Empower House provides a comforting home for victims of abuse and their children and pets, offering a safe space and variety of services. The donation went towards renovations for this safe house, specifically energy efficiency and weatherizing projects.
“The support that UI has given to The Center for Family Justice has been instrumental in achieving our mission to break the cycle of abuse and violence,” said Debra A. Greenwood, President & CEO of The Center for Family Justice. “It is corporate partners like UI that allow us to continue serving our community and we are grateful for the impact CFJ is able to make in creating hope and driving change. Congratulations to the team at UI and we look forward to working together for many more years.”
Media Contact:
Sarah Wall Fliotsos