House And Senate Approve Huge Energy Bill

The House and Senate have passed a large energy bill designed to create a new Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.  WNPR’s Nancy Cohen reports the Governor is expected to sign it.

The Senate gave the bill unanimous approval. The House voted 139 to 8. Under the bill a new energy and environmental agency consolidates environmental protection and enforcement with the regulation and procurement of electricity along with the implementation of energy policies. The restructuring is designed to make the state more nimble when negotiating energy purchases. Christopher Phelps of Environment Connecticut says the bill consolidates Connecticut’s energy programs.

“To really bring together the myriad, alphabet  soup really, of state agencies and policies that do a little bit on energy efficiency here or a little bit or renewable energy over there. Bring them together to really focus on helping people get the most bang for their energy dollar.”

The bill also allows cities and towns to create financing programs that issue loans to property owners for energy efficiency projects. It also requires state buildings to reduce energy use. And it creates incentives for commercial sized renewable energy projects, like solar and wind.

WNPR I’m Nancy Cohen