O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 22-6—sSB 93
Energy and Technology Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ASSESSED
CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM
SUMMARY: This act expands the types of projects that the Connecticut Green
Bank’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) may
finance to include installing on qualifying commercial real property (1) zero-
emission vehicle refueling infrastructure and (2) resilience improvements. By law,
a “zero-emission vehicle” is an electric, hybrid, or other vehicle certified by the
California Air Resources Board to produce zero emissions of certain pollutants
(CGS § 4a-67d). “Resilience” means the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing
conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from deliberate attacks, accidents, or
naturally occurring threats or incidents, including threats or incidents associated
with climate change impact (CGS § 16-244aa). To qualify, these projects must be
permanently fixed to the commercial property.
Generally, C-PACE finances certain energy improvement projects, and the
property owner repays the costs through an assessment on the property, backed by
a lien. Prior law required the Green Bank to adopt standards to ensure that the
project’s energy cost savings over its useful life exceed its costs. The act instead
requires that these standards determine whether the project’s combined projected
energy cost savings and other associated savings over its useful life exceed its costs.
It also (1) exempts zero-emission vehicle refueling infrastructure and resilience
improvement projects from these standards and (2) requires the Green Bank to
develop separate eligibility criteria for resilience projects.
The act also makes minor, technical, and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
RESILIENCE PROJECT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
For resilience improvements, the act requires the Green Bank to consult with
the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Connecticut
Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation to develop financing eligibility
criteria consistent with state environmental resource protection and community
resilience goals.
By law, if a qualified property owner requests C-PACE financing, the Green
Bank must first require an energy audit or a renewable energy system feasibility
analysis to assess the project’s expected energy cost savings over its useful life. The
act also allows the Green Bank to require a resilience study to assess the project’s
expected resilience cost savings over its useful life.