Officials at the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection have denied regulators’ request for a three-month extension to review the state’s new comprehensive energy strategy, which calls for a $7 billion expansion of the natural gas home heating system.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority had asked for an extension to March 1 to review the many facets of the comprehensive energy strategy, which also includes changes to the state’s definition of renewable energy, build out of the alternative transportation fueling infrastructure, and calling for submetering of multi-use buildings.
DEEP’s deadline for comments on the strategy ended Dec. 14, but the agency pushed that deadline to Dec. 21 after multiple parties requested more time.
Very few facets of the comprehensive energy strategy require legislative approval of the measures, but the regulators will need to be involved for many of the plans. This is the first such strategy in the state’s history.
In denying PURA’s request, DEEP officials said the energy policy reform law passed in 2011 required the agency give 45 days of public comment on the comprehensive energy strategy. DEEP has given 77 days of public comment since Gov. Dannel P. Malloy introduced the strategy on Oct. 3.
Although multifaceted, the highlight of the strategy is Malloy’s plan to make natural gas the heating fuel of choice in Connecticut, replacing oil. The proposed extension of the system will add 300,000 natural gas customers in Connecticut and cost $7 billion, counting the pipeline extensions, hookups, and upgrades to businesses and home heating systems.
