Connecticut House Bill HB05408

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/13
• Refer: 1/18/13

Caption

An Act Concerning Virtual Net Metering.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5408 would significantly impact the state's energy policy by enabling more governmental entities to take advantage of virtual net metering opportunities. This expansion is expected to facilitate greater investment in renewable energy projects and encourage local governments to adopt more sustainable energy practices. Additionally, the bill could potentially lower energy costs for various state agencies and municipalities by providing them access to more flexible sourcing of renewable energy.

Summary

House Bill 5408 aims to expand virtual net metering provisions in Connecticut, allowing the state and its political subdivisions to qualify for virtual net metering. Currently, the existing law allows only municipal ownership of such facilities to benefit from the virtual net metering framework. By permitting the state or any political subdivision to lease a virtual net metering facility or enter into a power purchase agreement with the facility's owner, the bill intends to broaden accessibility to renewable energy solutions and enhance energy efficiency initiatives across the state.

Contention

Although the bill presents seemingly beneficial opportunities for state and local governments, there could be points of contention regarding the shift in the energy market dynamics. Some stakeholders might raise concerns over how this extension could impact existing municipal operations and resources. There is a potential debate around whether extending these net metering benefits might inadvertently contribute to a larger disparity between municipalities with varying capacities to invest in renewable technologies, impacting overall equity in energy accessibility.