John Fonfara

Senate Bill 1 to Build a New Energy Future for Connecticut

Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) and Rep. Vickie O. Nardello (D-Prospect), Co-Chairs of the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee, offered comments this morning on the main components of Senate Bill 1, An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Energy Future. A public hearing on the legislation is scheduled for this afternoon.

“Energy policy reform is the top priority in the legislature this year. Senate Bill 1 will create, for the first time in decades, a dedicated energy agency committed to developing and implementing energy policy for Connecticut,” said Senator Fonfara. “This legislation will place Connecticut at the forefront of our country in generating innovative solutions to our energy problems.”

“Connecticut consumers and businesses face higher energy costs than all other states in the region, and this bill takes steps to lower those costs,” said Rep. Nardello. “The bill also makes essential investments in energy efficiency to reduce costs through lower usage, and continues our commitment to renewable energy for a cleaner environment and greater energy independence.”

Senate Bill 1 seeks to reform energy policy in Connecticut to lower energy costs for homes and businesses, move our economy toward clean energy, create jobs and make Connecticut a world leader in energy technology by fostering the growth of energy businesses and jobs. It would, amongst other provisions:

• Create the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)
• Order a study of the ISO system, its Market Rule 1, and their impact on electric rates
• Create a Procurement Manager at DEEP to buy power more flexibly for standard offer service utility customers, resulting in lower electric rates
• Establish a fund outside of ratepayer dollars for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
• Spur growth in CT based solar generation, with a legally capped impact on ratepayers
• Provide low cost financing for energy efficiency improvements like new boilers and furnaces
• Use distributed generation to help businesses through Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
• Create innovation hubs for energy research and technology development at Connecticut universities
• Implement protections for consumers in the electric supplier market
• Set up a one-stop shop for businesses at DEEP for all energy programs and incentives