Legislative Committee Approves Energy Diversity Bill

Bill Allowing Millstone and Renewable Energy Sales to Utilities Clears First Legislative Vote
 
Hartford, CT – The Connecticut General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee approved a bill aimed at diversifying the state’s baseload sources of electricity, stabilizing Millstone Power Station and increasing the state’s commitment to renewable energy.
 
Senate Bill No. 106 An Act Concerning the Diversity of Baseload Energy Supplies in the State and Achieving Connecticut’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mandated Levels cleared the first legislative vote today and now moves on to be considered by the full General Assembly.
 
“This bill adopts a balanced approach to protect the energy sources ratepayers rely on every day, keep rates down, and build a bridge to a future powered by renewable resources,” said Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme), co-chair of the Energy & Technology Committee. “I want to thank all those on the Energy & Technology Committee for their hard work and thoughtfulness in crafting this bill. I also applaud all the community members and experts who contributed to the legislative process. By incorporating the ideas of many we have legislation that is well measured, that will transition our state to rely more on renewable energy sources, and that will protect the energy resources our state currently needs to bring affordable power to millions.”
 
“Clearly we are in an important transitional time when it comes to energy, how it’s generated, and how it’s delivered,” said Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford), co-chair of the Energy & Technology Committee. “We are also facing many challenges ranging from global warming to growing jobs and boosting the economy. This bill seeks to address all these issues in a comprehensive way. This is an important step that will allow our state to proceed down a path that prepares us for the future. I applaud all the efforts of the many people who came together to work on this bill and move this comprehensive approach forward.”
 
“Our goal is to achieve more reliable and cost-effective energy generation, ensuring ratepayers get the best possible rates that expands our use of renewable energy,” said Representative Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford), Ranking Member of the Energy and Technology Committee.  “The goal of this bill is to provide cheaper carbon free electricity to Connecticut ratepayers. By collaborating with DEEP, PURA, Office of the Consumer Council and the Attorney General's Office assures us a way to get there.”
 
The legislation, crafted by lawmakers on the Energy & Technology Committee, would allow nuclear and renewable energy companies to bid on selling energy directly to utilities, which would need to be approved by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Office of Consumer Council and the Attorney General’s Office and determined to be in the best interest of ratepayers.
 
This could allow Millstone, a nuclear power station that provides over half the daily power to the entire state, to sell up to 950 megawatts of power to state utilities. In a changing market where nuclear plants have struggled to remain open in other states, this would give Millstone an opportunity to compete in today’s market. The bill would only allow for a five-year contract, meaning the legislature would need to be consulted again to extend any contract if desired in the future.
 
The legislation also would require Connecticut rely more on renewable resources moving forward and would allow renewable energy providers to bid on state energy contracts. The legislation would double Connecticut’s commitment to renewable energy between 2020 and 2040 by increasing the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 1 percent each year, starting with 20 percent in 2020 and increasing to 40 percent in 2040. In addition, the bill would expand the LREC/ZREC (Low Emissions and Zero Emissions Renewable Generation Credits) program by another year and encourage fuel cell development.
 
Senate Bill No. 106 is cosponsored by Senator Formica, Representative Melissa Ziobron, Representative Holly Cheeseman, Representative Kathleen McCarty and Representative Devin Carney.
 
The bill requires approval of both the House of Representatives and Senate before becoming law. The legislative session adjourns on June 7, 2017.