Comprehensive Energy Strategy

Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES)

Under Section 16a-3d of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with preparing a Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) for the state every four years. The CES examines future energy needs in the state and identifies opportunities to reduce costs for ratepayers, ensure reliable energy availability, and mitigate public health and environmental impacts of Connecticut's energy use, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emissions of criteria air pollutants. In addition, Governor Lamont's Executive Order 21-3 directs DEEP to include in the next CES a set of strategies to: (a) provide for more affordable heating and cooling for Connecticut residents and businesses, (b) achieve reductions in GHG emissions from residential buildings and industrial facilities as needed to enable the state to meet the economy-wide GHG reduction targets for 2030 and 2050 established in the Global Warming Solutions Act, and (c) improve the resilience of the state's energy sector to extreme weather events, fuel commodity price spikes, and other disruptions.

In planning for effective management of Connecticut's energy supply, energy distribution, and energy demand -- including electricity, heating, cooling, and fuels used for transportation -- the CES provides recommendations for legislative and administrative actions that will aid in the achievement of interrelated environmental, economic, security, and reliability goals.

2022 Comprehensive Energy Strategy Proceeding

On January 6, 2022, DEEP issued a Notice of Proceeding and Scoping Meeting initiating its stakeholder process for development of the next CES. The 2022 CES will build on and/or potentially modify findings and recommendations of prior Comprehensive Energy Strategies released in 2013 and 2018.

Notice of Proceeding and Scoping Meeting
Notice of Technical Meeting and Request for Written Comment on Hydrogen Opportunities

DEEP held a virtual meeting on February 17, 2022, to deliver a presentation and receive stakeholder comments on the scope of the 2022 CES. The objective of the scoping meeting was to provide an overview of, and seek public input on, the expected structure, schedule, and topics for the CES, as well as key issues that will be a focus of the CES analysis.

Download the slide deck - Feb. 17, 2022

View the recording - Feb. 17, 2022 (meeting begins at 03:34)

Participants interested in keeping up to date on this effort should email DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov and ask to be put on the distribution list for the 2022 Comprehensive Energy Strategy.

Hydrogen Technical Meeting

DEEP held a virtual technical meeting regarding incorporating a strategy for development of hydrogen resources into the 2022 CES on April 6, 2022. Panel discussions were held about touching on the following topics:

Potential end uses of hydrogen-fueled energy in Connecticut, that are consistent with the State’s policy goals and objectives, including related to economic development, reliability, environmental justice, and decarbonization.
Technical issues, and other considerations surrounding the production of different types of hydrogen, including but not limited to green hydrogen.
Discussion of what the state needs to do to create an ecosystem supportive of hydrogen that is consistent with the appropriate uses of hydrogen given state policies, particularly decarbonization of energy usage in the state.
Discussion of the readiness of the state’s workforce for hydrogen-related jobs and initiatives that can better prepare the workforce for hydrogen-related jobs.
Discussion of the ways hydrogen opportunities can be pursued equitably, to maximize benefits to environmental justice communities, and reduce burdens of air pollution, climate change impacts, or energy affordability on disproportionately affected communities.
Issues or opportunities DEEP should consider in developing or supporting any applications for incentives or programs funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Download the Agenda - April 5, 2022

Download the slide decks - April 6, 2022

View the recording - April 6, 2022

Any questions on the above-referenced processes should be addressed to DEEP.EnergyBureau@CT.gov

Content last updated February 2022

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection