Connecticut House Bill HB05827

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/21
• Refer: 1/28/21

Caption

An Act Decoupling The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority And The Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection, Removing The Efficiency Program From Electric Rates, Eliminating Certain Charges Assessed Against Electric Customers And Requiring An Articulation Of Certain Charges On Electric Customers' Bills.

Impact

One of the major provisions of HB 5827 is the removal of the efficiency program from electric rates charged to customers. Instead, this program would be transferred to the Department of Economic and Community Development, allowing it to operate as a loan program with repayment benchmarks. This shift is anticipated to make the efficiency program more responsive to economic developments and promote energy-saving initiatives without impacting consumer bills directly. Additionally, the bill proposes the elimination of charges that currently fund Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and the Connecticut Green Bank, enabling these entities to seek funding through private markets, which could lead to innovative financial solutions for energy projects.

Summary

House Bill 5827 aims to decouple the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This legislative measure proposes significant changes to how electric rates are structured and how efficiency programs are managed within the state. By separating these two entities, the bill seeks to streamline regulatory oversight and potentially enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of energy policy in the state. This decoupling is positioned as a way to foster better decision-making and operational independence for both the authority and the department.

Contention

Concerns regarding the bill may arise from the proposed elimination of certain charges assessed against electric customers, particularly those funding renewable energy initiatives. Critics may argue that removing these funds could undermine important investments in green energy and environmental protections. Furthermore, the requirement for electric companies to outline the costs associated with renewable subsidies on customer bills raises transparency issues – opponents may view this change as a way to obscure the true costs of renewable energy adoption while placing the burden of those costs on consumers. As such, the bill could spark debate on the balance between promoting renewable energy and protecting consumer interests.