Connecticut's Energy Future

Making Connecticut a national leader in:

  1. Lowering energy costs
  2. Moving toward clean energy
  3. Creating jobs and new businesses
  4. Ensuring safety and reliability

Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)

Lower Electric Rates

  • Creates an Electricity Procurement Manager to work with the utilities for lower electric rates
  • Expands electricity contracting options for increased market flexibility
  • Studies electric market rules and their effect on higher rates
  • Requires electric companies to offer time of use rates and meters
  • Explores options for discounted electric and natural gas rates for struggling families and seniors
  • Implements consumer protections for residents and businesses looking to choose an electric supplier

New Industries in Clean Energy

  • Creates the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority (CEIFA) to leverage private capital and administer the Clean Energy Fund
  • Supports zero emission electric generation projects (solar, wind, hydro) with renewable energy credits (RECs)
  • Reduces incentives over time to drive technologies toward market competitiveness
  • Supports low emission electric generation (ex: fuel cells) at half the zero emission level program level
  • Expands permissable Clean Energy Fund projects to include electric and natural gas vehicle infrastructure, electricity storage and efficiency financing
  • Establishes a residential solar photovoltaic program
  • Explores repowering of older, dirty electric generators
  • Expands accountability for all clean energy programs

Reducing Energy Costs for Homes and Businesses

  • Creates the Office of Energy Efficient Business, a one-stop-shop to proactively reach out to businesses
  • Helps businesses install efficient cogeneration and anaerobic digestion facilities, turning waste into energy
  • Targets a 10 percent reduction in state building energy use by 2013, another 10 percent by 2018
  • Creates the PACE program to finance energy improvements through property assessments
  • Assists homes and businesses with replacement of inefficient boilers and furnaces
  • Enhances efficiency standards for electronic devices

MEDIA

Promoting Green Businesses

September 22, 2011 — Senator Meyer tours Pat Munger Construction Co. of Branford, a commercial general contractor that recently expanded into the renewable energy aspect of building and general construction, including installation of solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and geothermal systems.

Helping Businesses Cut Their Energy Costs

August 5, 2011 — At C. Cowles & Company, a New Haven precision manufacturer, Senators Martin Looney and Toni Harp detail how the state’s new energy policy will help Connecticut businesses to lower their energy costs.

Solar-powered Savings

August 2, 2011 — Visiting with a New Britain homeowner who lowered his energy costs by installing photovoltaic solar panels, Senator Terry Gerratana discusses some of the solar-friendly aspects of Connecticut's new energy policy.

Building Connecticut’s Energy Future

June 6, 2011 — Senator Fonfara presents legislation that charts a new course in energy policy, making Connecticut a national leader in embracing clean energy, lowering energy costs, and developing energy jobs, industries and businesses.

The General Assembly’s
Energy & Technology Committee

The Energy & Technology Committee considers legislation on all matters related to the Department of Public Utility Control and energy planning and activities.

Senator Bob Duff, Senate Chair; 860-240-0414

Senator Gary LeBeau, Senate Vice-chair; 860-240-0511

News Releases from
Senate Democrats on Energy Issues

Connecticut Senate Votes for Renewable Energy Reform 5/1/13

Duff to Chair Legislature‘s Energy & Technology Committee 1/10/13

Statement of Senator Duff On Connecticut’s New Comprehensive Energy Strategy 10/5/12

State and Local Leaders Visit Greenleaf Biofuels Site, Get Status Update on Biodiesel Project 6/28/12

Doyle, Representative Serra Tour Middletown Manufacturer Going Green with New Daylight-Harvesting Light System 6/15/12

Energy Committee Passes Storm Response Legislation 3/27/12

Fonfara Statement on NU/NSTAR Merger Agreement 3/13/12

Senate Democrats Announce Plan to Invest in Critical Infrastructure and Hold Utility Companies Accountable 2/15/12

Military Veteran Finds a New Job Fighting For Energy Independence 1/12/12

Legislative Democrats: Utilities Must Be Accountable to Consumers 11/9/11

Meyer Touts Benefits of New Energy Reforms at Branford Construction Firm 9/22/11

After Irene: General Assembly to Hold Legislative Hearing on Readiness and Response 9/6/12

Maynard: Though Solar Programs are Changing, Panels Remain a Good Buy 8/11/11

Bipartisan Energy Reform Offers Major Savings for New Haven Businesses 8/5/11

Gerratana: Home Solar Panels Will Soon be More Affordable 8/2/11

Looney: Congress Can't Turn Its Back on Energy Assistance for Connecticut Families 8/2/11

Governor Malloy, Senator Cassano Say Electric Bills to Decrease 7/22/11

Legislators Say Families and Businesses to See 5 percent Electric Bill Decrease 7/21/11

Major Reform to Build Connecticut’s Energy Future 6/6/11

Gerratana Urges Businesses, Homeowners to Shop Around for Lower Electric Rates 5/31/11

Energy Co-Chairs Offer New Generation Tax Proposal 4/27/11

Energy Committee Approves Sweeping Reform—Senate Bill 1 3/22/11

Senate President Submits Testimony on SB 1—An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Energy Future 3/15/11

Senate Bill 1 to Build a New Energy Future for Connecticut 3/15/11

Women and Minority-Owned Businesses to Get Assistance With Energy Expenses 2/15/11

Environment Chairman Applauds Appointment of Dan Esty as New Environment & Energy Commissioner 2/10/11

Energy Chair Thanks DPUC For Allowing Utility Merger Hearing 1/25/11

Senate President Calls for Investigation of Proposed Merger of Northeast Utilities & NSTAR 1/25/11