House Passes Climate Change, Solar Energy Legislation
The Connecticut House of Representatives passed two bills this week focused on addressing climate change as well as increasing statewide use of solar energy.
HB 5004, wide-ranging climate legislation dubbed the “Green Monster” by proponents, was approved May 1 on a 94-56 vote, with all Republicans and a handful of moderate Democrats opposed.
This multi-section bill was promoted by advocates as an incentive-based approach to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Opposition to the bill centered on the prospect of increased electric rates, needed to fund the measure’s greenhouse gas emission goals.
The bill includes the creation of several studies, including one to study potential improvements to electric transmission and grid reliability.
Business Fees
HB 5004 also requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to conduct an uncontested docket to review the future of natural gas in Connecticut and to report its findings to the legislature.
Other sections of this bill include a study on removing business fees for B corporations and farms, along with a task force to identify vacant properties, including brownfield sites, that could be used by startup businesses as incubator sites.
CBIA’s Pete Myers said the business community “supports removing business fees and has advocated for fees to be removed for any business that makes investments in sustainable business practices.”
This bill now heads to the Senate where it will undoubtedly face another lengthy debate and a fight against the clock.
Solar Energy
The House also approved HB 5232, a multi-section bill designed to increase the use of solar energy, on a 98-49 vote April 29.
The bill includes the creation of a task force to study the uniform capacity tax on solar energy.
It also requires PURA to conduct a docket to examine the state’s solar tariff program and provide the the Energy and Technology Committee with potential successor programs to that program.
CBIA advocated for a section of the bill focused on removing red tape around accessing capital for renewable energy investments.
Section 4 requires the Connecticut Green Bank to remove the savings investment ratio for improvements or upgraded to existing renewable energy projects.
Myers noted that capital costs were the primary reason companies are not investing in renewable energy.
“This section removes the red tape and allows for more businesses to access these long-term, low-interest loans,” he said.
HB 5232 now awaits action in the Senate.
For more information, contact CBIA’s Pete Myers (860.244.1921).
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