The Connecticut General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee on Tuesday approved the controversial overhaul of the state’s energy policy.
In a 14-4 vote, the committee sent Senate Bill 1, An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Energy Future, to the floor of the Senate, where it awaits further action. A similar bill passed committee and the General Assembly in May, only to be vetoed by former Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
The comprehensive energy legislation calls for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to be joined with the Department of Public Utility Control under a new Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Gov. Dannel Mally has made an identical proposal, which is working its way through the state House of Representatives in the form of House Bill 6386.
“This legislation will chart a new course for energy policy in Connecticut, creating new economic opportunities in the clean energy industry and cost savings through energy efficiency for residential and commercial electric ratepayers,” said Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, co-chair of the Energy & Technology Committee. “This year we will create the first state agency since the 1970’s dedicated to both formulating and implementing energy policy for Connecticut. With a new agency and a new policy direction, we will make Connecticut a national leader in developing and adopting innovative energy technologies.”
Among its many provisions, the energy legislation calls for the new DEEP to examine the state’s role with ISO New England, which controls the operation of electric markets in the region. The bill calls for a DEEP procurement manager to buy power more flexibly for utility customers, provides low-cost financing for home and business energy efficiency improvements, and implements protections for customers in the electric supplier market.
The legislative session ends June 8.
