Connecticut House Bill HB06236

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/23
• Refer: 1/19/23

Caption

An Act Concerning Small Hydropower Facilities.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would facilitate the integration of small hydropower into the state's energy mix, aligning with broader efforts to enhance renewable energy sources. It would mandate that distribution companies purchase electricity from small hydro facilities, thereby ensuring a steady revenue stream for these producers. The cumulative generating capacity for this program would be capped at sixty megawatts, which sets a limit on the total output that can participate in this tariff program.

Summary

House Bill 06236 aims to promote small hydropower facilities in the state by establishing a small hydro tariff program. This program is aimed at hydropower facilities with a nameplate capacity of three and one-half megawatts or less. Under this legislation, electric distribution companies are required to offer a monthly payment to these facilities based on the amount of electricity generated, calculated using the local distribution company's standard service price per kilowatt-hour.

Contention

Throughout the discussions surrounding HB 06236, points of contention may arise around the feasibility of supporting small hydropower compared to other renewable energy sources. Some stakeholders may argue that this bill could lead to state investment in a specific energy sector at the expense of broader renewable initiatives. Others may raise concerns over the impact of such requirements on electric distribution companies and their operational flexibility, although proponents are likely to argue the environmental and economic benefits derived from encouraging small-scale renewable energy production.