Press Releases
05/09/2018
Gov. Malloy Hails Final Legislative Approval Of Energy Bill
Legislation Now Moves to the Governor’s Desk for His Signature
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy is hailing the Connecticut House of Representatives for taking action today on legislation he introduced that takes bold action in the development and deployment of affordable, clean energy.
The legislation, Senate Bill 9 – An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Energy Future, was adopted in the House early this morning by a vote of 100-45. It was approved in the Senate earlier this week by a vote of 29-3 and next moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
“This is a good and important piece of legislation,” Governor Malloy said. “The House of Representatives, along with their colleagues in the Senate, took real steps toward reducing our overall emissions and creating good jobs in the green economy, all while decreasing costs for ratepayers. I want to thank the co-chairs of the Energy Committee for their steadfast advocacy.”
“At DEEP, we view the work we do as impacting not only those alive today, but those who will be born 100 years from now,” Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Rob Klee said. “This piece of legislation advances our forward-looking energy strategy that will make a dramatic difference for the generations to come. This was a long road to get to this vote, and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of all those who came together to provide for a Connecticut energy future that is cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable.”
Among its several provisions, the bill:
- Increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 40 percent to deploy more renewables of all sizes for all customers;
- Creates “successor” programs for commercial, industrial and residential programs to provide sustainable growth of renewables in Connecticut with the expiration of programs such Low-Emission Renewable Energy Credits, Zero-Emission Renewable Energy Credits, and Solar Home Renewable Credits;
- Expands opportunities for municipalities, state agencies, and agricultural customers to deploy renewables under an auction structure;
- Revises net metering so Connecticut pays a more affordable rate per kilowatt-hour basis; and
- Creates a statewide shared clean energy program that targets low moderate income customers.
The energy bill is a companion to another piece of legislation Governor Malloy introduced concerning the environment that takes the state a major step forward in Connecticut’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the ongoing effects of climate change and sea level rise. That bill, Senate Bill 7 – An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency, was approved in the Senate early Wednesday morning. The Governor is urging the House to take action on that bill as well, so he can sign it into law.
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