The legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, which is attempting to find ways to close a projected deficit in the coming fiscal year, on Thursday proposed raiding $20 million in funds used for energy efficiency and renewable investment programs.
The funds come from proceeds of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which sells carbon allowances. RGGI proceeds usually go to the Energy Efficiency Fund, a public-private partnership with utilities that administers efficiency programs for ratepayers under the brand Energize Connecticut.
Last year, RGGI proceeds represented 6.5 percent of the overall clean energy fund, which is largely funded by ratepayers, according to the fund’s annual report.
Nonprofit Environment Connecticut released a statement criticizing the move and urging lawmakers to ultimately reject it.
“Make no mistake, raiding ratepayer clean energy funds will kill clean energy jobs, raise energy bills, and undercut Connecticut’s efforts to fight climate change,” State Director Chris Phelps said.
Sen. John Fonfara (D-Hartford), who co-chairs the finance committee, could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.
