Environment

Join our e-list for updates and action alerts, and please contribute today!

CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY PRIORITY SOLUTIONS 2018-
Working Group: Acadia Center • Audubon Connecticut • Center for Energy Security Solutions • Connecticut Citizen Action Group • Citizens Campaign for the Environment • Clean Water Action • Connecticut Fund for the Environment • Connecticut League of Conservation Voters • ConnPIRG • Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs • Consumers for Sensible Energy • Environment Connecticut • Northeast Clean Energy Council • Renew Northeast • Save the Sound • Sierra Club • Solar Connecticut • The Nature Conservancy • Vote Solar

Right now Connecticut faces two fundamental challenges: First, the need to strengthen our economy through generation of revenue and well-paying jobs for the state; and second, a need to slash greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors of our economy to stem the impacts of climate change. A policy framework that will drive transformative change toward a clean energy economy will allow us to tackle both of these challenges. The solutions needed to combat climate change can and will save money and grow jobs, and help Connecticut out of its ailing budget problems.

The good news is that Connecticut has a proven track record of leadership when it comes to climate action and green-economy innovation. The bad news is that the state is at a crossroads for progress. Connecticut’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been rising for the last few years, not falling. Worse yet, in 2017 the legislature further endangered our progress by raiding tens of millions of dollars of clean energy and energy efficiency funds, which are critical for programs that reduce our emissions, lower electric bills, and create thousands of jobs. We need to stop this regression and take decisive steps to scale up access to renewable energy and energy efficiency for our residents, businesses and government.

There are four steps on the path to climate action that Connecticut legislators can take in 2018 to help ensure we meet the 2020 and 2050 emission mandates.

First, commit to timely targets for GHG (Green House Gas) reductions that ensure accountability.
Second, bolster strategic investment and asset protection of energy efficiency and clean energy, because the cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use.
Third, ramp up renewable resources. There are several parts in this step, but two major components include expanding the Renewable Portfolio Standard and removing barriers to the rapid deployment of renewable energy.
Fourth, cut fossil fuel use that contributes to climate change. This means reducing reliance on natural gas, not expanding it, and slashing emissions from transportation by electrifying our cars and trucks.

I. ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY IN CLIMATE CHANGE PLANNING

Global Warming Solutions Act: Amendments to the GSWA would set a new interim GHG reduction target for 2030 – requiring a 45% reduction below 2001 emissions levels by 2030, as recommended by the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3).
Fix Ratepayer Impact Statement- Solution: If OFA is going to be required to evaluate short-term cost impacts to ratepayers of new bill proposals, then they should also be mandated to evaluate long-term, life-cycle cost impacts and benefits of any proposed programs. This should include an evaluation of climate impacts (e.g. systemic health, and environmental effects that impact climate change), including any proposal’s impact on Connecticut’s ability to meet mandated GHG levels under the GWSA.

II. PROTECT INVESTMENTS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy & RGGI Funds- Solution: Protect the Energy Efficiency, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and Green Bank funds. These critical funds must be protected through renewed support of Connecticut’s national award winning residential and commercial Energy Efficiency programs and the Green Bank Financing programs. Energy efficiency and clean energy investments are critical to Connecticut’s fiscal and environmental health.

III. INCREASE RENEWABLES TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH GREEN JOBS

Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS)- Solution: Extend the RPS to require electric suppliers to increase the source of energy they supply from Class I renewable energy sources to achieve at least 50% Class I renewable energy sources by 2030. This will also add more jobs to Connecticut and New England and reduce reliance on natural gas, which will allow consumers to avoid volatile winter spikes in electricity prices, and will eliminate the need for expensive interstate pipeline infrastructure.
Community Shared Solar Solution: Legislation to expand solar access to a broader group of energy consumers—including low and moderate-income families, businesses, and municipalities—through a full-scale community shared clean energy program.
Virtual Net Metering Solution: Lift the current cap of $10 million to expand access, especially for governmental users, as a means of relieving budget burdens through cost-effective adoption of renewable energy while advancing economic development, job creation and energy security.
Offshore Wind Expansion Solution: Increase Connecticut’s authority to procure offshore wind, and mandate 1000 MW of capacity by 2030 and 2000 MW by 2035 (when the operating license of Millstone’s Unit 2 expires). As part of the mandate, the legislature should require that offshore wind proposals describe plans for using skilled labor and apprenticeship programs registered in Connecticut to ensure that the economic benefits of offshore wind development accrue to Connecticut. To facilitate timely buildout of offshore wind, the legislature should also set a timeline for DEEP to solicit bids: 200 MW every 2 years through 2030 and 500 MW every 2 years after 2030.

IV. CUT FOSSIL FUELS TO PROTECT OUR CLIMATE

Natural Gas Infrastructure Solution: Proposed legislation would fix this problem by protecting utility customers from being forced to subsidize the cost of interstate natural gas pipeline construction.

WE RESIST. WE BUILD. WE RISE.

On the 100th day of Trump's presidency more than 300,000 people in Washington DC and across the country joined together in a powerful demonstration of unity for jobs, justice and climate action.

Together, we will chart a different path forward: away from Trump’s agenda of a cruel, polluted, and divided country, and towards a clean energy economy that works for everyone.

#climatemarch

CCAG Comments Made to DEEP Concerning the Draft "Comprehensive Energy Strategy," or CES.
Delivered on September 25, 2017 by Executive Director Tom Swan.
Go to "Home" on the menus above to see how to get your own opinion to DEEP before the final CES is issued.

Issues, Specific Bills, and Associated Explanation from the 2017 Legislative Session Relating to Environment

ENERGY
SB 106 AAC the Diversity of Baseload Energy Supplies in the State and Achieving Connecticut’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Nuclear Shakedown: CCAG opposes this bill as it would raise the already high electric rates by subsidizing the profits of Millstone Nuclear Power Plant, which is owned by Dominion Energy in Virginia. It also puts nuclear power in the same class as renewables based on the “no carbon emission” aspect of operation. Dilution of “renewable” as a legal term would reduce incentives for phasing out climate-warming fossil fuels.

At this time this bill is tabled for the senate calendar. We are urging Connecticut citizens to call and tell them to Vote NO on Connecticut's Senate Bill 106. You can use this toll free number for instruction and to make the call, you will be directed to your senator’s office. 1-844-220-5524

HB 6546 AAC Prohibiting Surcharges from Being Levied on Utility Customers to Subsidize Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity: This project remains effectively halted after Massachusetts and New Hampshire blocked the funding mechanism involving their own ratepayers. But beware. Technically, Connecticut’s Eversource ratepayers remain “on the hook” from previous legislative authorization. With a new administration focused on fossil fuels, HB 6546 stands as an important tool to truly safeguard CT ratepayers. Eversource originally estimated the cost at $3.2B. Independent analysts warn that the cost is more than double ($6.6B). This bill remains in the Energy and Technology Committee awaiting further action.

SB 630 AAC Clean and Renewable Energy Opportunities and Use of Renewable Energy Sources: CCAG strongly supports the concepts put forward in SB 630.The bill would increase targets for truly renewable energy as a percentage of total energy production. This bill was referred by the Senate to Committee on Appropriations on May 17th.

Shared Solar: Shared solar is at work all around us (MA, NY, and VT). There are no serious technical hurdles, yet utilities resist. Shaded homes and rental properties in Connecticut cannot legally establish any nearby shared site for local energy sharing with utility net-metering for payback. CCAG demands that we open the renewable markets to more residents immediately. With an authorized yet fatally limited “pilot project” remaining stalled while the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) seeks clarification from PURA, CCAG would like to see further legislative action to cut through the administrative fog currently blocking solar access for the majority of CT residents. Even the pilot project (a delay tactic if we ever saw one) is woefully behind schedule and no end is in sight.

TOXICS

HB 6329 AAC Hydraulic Fracturing Waste in Connecticut: This bill would permanently prohibit the storage, disposal, handling and use of hydraulic fracturing waste in Connecticut. Fracking waste is the byproduct of drilling for natural gas.
The House has already voted 141-6 to ban fracking waste from Connecticut. There is currently a moratorium on fracking waste due to expire, but a ban should eliminate any uncertainty about where Connecticut stands on the issue. The bill now heads to the state Senate. We urge you to contact your senator in support HB 6329
Consumer Safety: With the Federal EPA hobbled by a hostile Cabinet Secretary, action at the state level must increase. CCAG will work to remove useless flame retardants from furniture and children’s products, to require non-toxic state procurement rules, and to require proof of safety before deployment of chemicals.

WATER AND CLIMATE:
SB 753 AAC Commercial Bottled Water Operations and State Streamflow Regulation and the State Water Plan: After a public hearing and a favorable referral from the Environment Committee, this bill is tabled for the Senate Calendar as of March 27th. CCAG would like to see it die there unless it is amended substantially. Bottlers are looking to buy Connecticut water, essentially privatizing our most important public resource. SB753 is a sham bill that purports to “study” possible problems. (See “shared solar,” similar delay tactics.) Instead of simply another study, CCAG supports enacting the obvious protections: no water removal during droughts, bottlers pay a fair share of infrastructure costs, no sales before analysis to insure adequacy of supply, and fee structures that do not discount large-scale siphoning of public supplies.

SB 996 AAC Establishing a Bottle Recycling Fee in Lieu of a Refundable Deposit: CCAG strongly opposes the current version of the bill. To truly strengthen the very successful “Bottle Bill” (achieved in 1978 after a five-year campaign), we need to increase the amount of the deposit and expand what is covered.

This legislation would repeal the Bottle Bill and replace the bottle deposit with a non-refundable bottle tax. Eliminating the deposit would be a significant step backward for our state's recycling goals and would inevitably lead to more litter in our communities, higher taxes, and the loss of green jobs in Connecticut.

It's time to tell our legislators in Hartford that the Bottle Bill works! Vote No on SB 996!

Take Action! Contact your legislators re: the issues you care about.
House Democrats
1‑800‑842‑8267
Senate Democrats
1‑800‑842‑1420

House Republicans
1‑800‑842‑8270
Senate Republicans
1‑800‑842‑1421

Legislative solutions considered and fought for in 2016:

HB 5427, AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM: Shared solar is not yet in working order after the 2016 legislative session. Changes needed to be made to 5427 to require utility companies to buy generated power for the "life of the facility," as recommended by the CT Academy of Science and Engineering. Passage of the changes would also have removed the limit of 6 megawatts (too small). More importantly, there was and is no need for a pilot project at all! Shared solar is working in a dozen states already. Anything but full roll-out is mere delay by reluctant utilities. CCAG opposed this bill without proposed changes.

SB 334, AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO THE ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY RELATED STATUTES:
The bill did not pass. Passage would have implemented technical fixes to existing statutes governing shared solar development. This bill should have been passed instead of H.B. 5427 (above), a deeply flawed bill that includes financing requirements designed to make projects uneconomic and insure failure. CCAG also continues to fight for a full roll out of shared solar, not pilot programs.

HB 5299, AN ACT CONCERNING TOXIC FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS IN CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS AND UPHOLSTERED RESIDENTIAL FURNITURE: This bill was submarined by 1 Senator, when it was on the verge of passage. Again, we see the extreme power of money in politics using obscure levers to block the common good. The bill would have banned any product containing the flame retardant chemicals TDCPP, TDCP or TCPP that was marketed for the use of children three years of age or younger. Momentum for passage was large, and it had overwhelmingly passed the House before that single Senator killed it by threatening to run out the clock with a flood of amendments.

RB 5618 AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CARBON FOOTPRINT METHODOLOGY TO ANALYZE STATE PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS: Did not win passage in 2016. CCAG followed and advocated for several bills that would have increased green procurement by state government, including this foundational one.

From the 2015 legislative session:

ENVIRONMENT
SB 928 Shared Solar: A shared renewable energy program would have allowed a broader group of energy consumers to meet their energy needs with clean, renewable energy. Whether or not they own an appropriate rooftop or property themselves, Connecticut families and businesses would have been able to subscribe to a local shared renewable energy project and get credit on their utility bills for their portion of the clean power produced.

This legislative season, the Energy and Technology Committee received not one but two bills concerning shared renewables. One called for a full-scale program. The other, supported by the state’s major electric utilities, called for a three-year pilot which has been amended to two-years. In spite of a high-quality study by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering supporting full roll-out, the committee endorsed the pilot.

Since shared clean energy programs and policies have been developed in over a dozen states, it is difficult to understand exactly what we need to pilot. CCAG is disappointed with this outcome as it will only serve to ensure most Connecticut families and businesses do not have access to renewable energy for years to come.
Connecticut’s timid approach to clean energy penalizes consumers, costs state jobs- CT Mirror May 19th

570 AAC Electric Savings and Fixed Bill Fee: This bill initially capped at $10 the fixed charge all electric customers pay regardless of how much power they use. That charge has skyrocketed to $19.25 for Eversource and $17.25 for United Illuminating, though each company requested much more. By lowering and capping fixed charges, all consumers, including the most vulnerable, would have had a real chance to benefit economically from the rapid advances in technology that are already modernizing the power grid.

The bill — which passed the Senate but never made it to the House floor — eliminated a specific cap and replaced it with a new delineation of what could be calculated as part of the fixed charge, a prospect that had us worried as it could not be determined how this would play out. Some calculations actually projected that the fixed rate would go up! There is some possibility that elements of SB570 may get folded into the "budget implementer" bills during special session.

ANOTHER WAY TO HELP CCAG: RECYCLE WITH PLANET GREEN!