Press Releases
05/07/2018
Gov. Malloy Applauds Senate Passage Of Energy Bill
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy is hailing the Connecticut State Senate for taking action today on legislation that takes bold action in the development and deployment of affordable, clean energy.
“Connecticut has been a national leader in policies designed to combat the effects of climate change and this bill is no exception,” Governor Malloy said. “By promoting clean, renewable energy, we will not only reduce our overall emissions, we will create good jobs in the green economy. I want to thank all of the advocates who worked tirelessly to push for this commonsense legislation, and the co-chairs of the Energy Committee for their collaboration.”
“Climate change is real and its effects are impacting those around the globe,” DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee said. “Today’s vote is an important step in helping Connecticut meet not just its climate change goals, but in helping bring down the cost of renewables. I want to thank all those who came together and worked diligently over the past few months on this legislation.”
The legislation, Senate Bill 9 – An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Energy Future, was adopted in the Senate this afternoon by a vote of 29-3. It next moves to the House of Representatives, where it must be voted upon by May 9 before the Governor can sign it into law.
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 Governor is also urging lawmakers to approve his environmental protection legislation, Senate Bill 7, An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency. That legislation acts as a companion bill to the energy legislation and 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.
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