Senate Passes Controversial Energy Bill

Connecticut State Senate bill 1138, which was written to help expand the use of renewable energy in CT, has stirred up a lot of controversy.

What exactly is the bill made to do?

In short, the new bill is designed to increase the percentage of electricity in CT that comes from clean, renewable sources such as solar and wind power. Let’s take a look at the details of how the bill should affect renewable energy in CT:

The anticipated benefits of the energy bill

Connecticut is working to rapidly expand its renewable energy portfolio. In less than 6 years, the state expects at least 27 percent of the electricity that electric suppliers in CT distributes to be green, most of which (20 out of 27 percent) must be 100 percent clean and renewable; this is a huge increase from the 6 percent renewable energy portfolio bar that was set in 2009. According to supporters of this bill, it will do a great deal to help the state achieve that goal.

Expansion of solar and wind power

First, the bill is expected to help expand the use of renewable energy resources, especially primary ones like solar and wind, which are key for the CT energy suppliers’ ability to meet Connecticut’s 2020 renewable energy goals.

Driving down hydroelectric prices

Bill 1138 is expected to also aid the state’s use of hydroelectric power, another important renewable energy resource in the state. This is due to the fact that increased competition from solar and wind powered electricity resources is expected to put pressure on hydroelectric electric suppliers in CT to reduce their prices. This will in turn reduce the overall energy rates in CT, which as you know, are exceedingly high.

Who supports this bill?

Among the primary supporters of State Senate bill 1138 are Governor Daniel P. Malloy and his administration, the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Dan Esty, leaders at CT energy supplier Northeast Utilities, and State Senator Bob Duff, chairman of the state’s energy and technology committee.

Objections raised by opponents of the bill

Many opponents of Senate bill 1138 feel as though it is little more than a power play by big electric suppliers in CT, specifically Northeast Utilities. They feel as though the only reason that the bill is being supported by the CT energy supplier is because they covet the hydropower electricity that Canada’s Hydro Quebec could provide them with.

There are also questions being raised about Dan Esty’s stake in the passage of the bill, as he has ties to Hydro Quebec, from where he earned over $200,000 in consulting fees between 1997 and 2005.

Here are the problems that opponents of the bill believe it will cause

The controversial Northern Pass transmission line

In order for CT to gain additional hydroelectric power from Hydro Quebec, a new electricity transmission line would have to be built. The line that would be constructed has come to be known as the Northern Pass transmission line. Senate bill 1138 would allow for this power line to be built. The problem opponents to this line see is that it would cut straight through parts of the Appalachian Trail, possibly harming the natural beauty of the area and damaging natural habitats.

Less competition for outsourced hydroelectric power

Another problem that opponents of this bill foresee is the reduction in solar and wind power’s ability to grow. The 2020 renewable energy mandate does not specify how the use of 100 percent renewable energy resources should be distributed. As such, the renewable portfolio could technically include 100 percent solar, wind or hydroelectric power.

Since the state can simply ratchet up their purchases of Canadian hydroelectric power in order to meet the renewable mandate, there could be less urgency to expand the development if solar and wind power electric resources.

Who is objecting to this bill?

Here are a few individuals and organizations that either have questions about or directly oppose the bill: State Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola, Christopher Phelps, director of Environment Connecticut, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

In light of Dan Esty’s ties to Hydro Quebec, some of the more vocal opponents of the bill are requesting that the state’s attorney general investigate any state officials in supports of the bill for any impropriety.

Michelle Erca writes the CT electric suppliers comparison articles that provides tips and suggestions about how to save money on your electricity bill.