PA 08-168—sHB 5724
Energy and Technology Committee
Appropriations Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING ENERGY SCARCITY AND SECURITY, RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY AND A STATE SOLAR STRATEGY
SUMMARY: This act requires that three studies be conducted on the state's energy future. It also requires that a plan be prepared regarding the state's solar energy industry.
It requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to conduct a petroleum sensitivity study of state agencies. The study must include a statewide assessment and inventory of state departments and agencies and their activities and corollary need to consume petroleum. OPM must consult with the state's Clean Energy Fund in conducting the study. It can use up to $250,000 from the fund for this purpose and contract with a consultant to perform the study. OPM must report the study findings to the Energy and Technology Committee by December 1, 2008.
The act establishes an eight-member task force to study energy scarcity and sustainability. The task force must conduct scenario planning for long-term petroleum and natural gas scarcity, steep price increases, and supply disruptions. The study must examine the impacts of natural gas and petroleum price and scarcity on the economy, food supply, transportation, education, health, and emergency response, and can address other issues. The task force must submit its report to the Energy and Technology Committee by January 1, 2009.
The act requires the Renewable Energy Investment Board (the group that determines how the Clean Energy Fund is spent) to contract with the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering to study how other states promote and increase the use and supply of renewable energy and clean energy. The board must report its findings to the Energy and Technology Committee by January 1, 2009.
The act also requires the board to convene a working group to develop a plan to maximize the use of solar power and create a self-sustaining solar industry in the state to help meet renewable portfolio standard requirements and the greenhouse gas emissions limits of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The portfolio standard requires electric companies to get part of their power from renewable resources. The initiative is an agreement among northeastern states to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
TASK FORCE ON ENERGY SCARCITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Senate president pro tempore, House speaker, Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader, and House minority leader must each appoint one member to the task force. The other members are the OPM secretary, the environmental protection commissioner, and the executive director of Connecticut Innovations, Inc. , (CII) or their respective designees. (CII administers the Clean Energy Fund. ) The appointed members can be legislators. All appointments must be made within 30 days of the act's passage. Any vacancy must be filled by the appointing authority. The House speaker and the Senate president pro tempore must select the chairpersons of the task force from among its members. The chairpersons must schedule the first meeting of the task force within 60 days of the act's passage.
By January 1, 2009, the task force must submit its report with findings and recommendations to the Energy and Technology Committee. It must include long-term and short-term response to potential scarcity disruptions and cost increases. The task force will terminate on the date it submits the report or January 1, 2009, whichever is later.
RENEWABLE ENERGY STUDY
The study must at least include an examination of the funding for and mission of renewable energy and clean energy funds and departments in other states. It must analyze the extent to which creating a department of renewable energy or clean energy would (1) ensure that future oil shortages and price increases do not jeopardize the living standards and food security of state residents and farms; (2) maximize economic opportunities for state workers in emerging clean energy industries; (3) reduce carbon emissions through greater reliance on renewable energy and clean energy sources; and (4) promote energy independence, local energy production, and distributed generation.
SOLAR PLAN
The board, in consultation with the Department of Public Utility Control, must convene a working group to develop a plan to maximize the use of solar power and create a self-sustaining solar industry in the state that will help meet renewable portfolio standard requirements and the greenhouse gas emissions limits of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
The working group consists of:
1. one representative from each electric company;
2. two representatives of environmental nonprofits with expertise in clean energy policy;
3. two representatives of the solar industry, one representing the residential solar industry and one a large commercial integrator;
4. one representative of a solar trade association;
5. one representative of renewable finance; and
6. one representative of a community college offering solar training.
The environmental protection and economic and community development commissioners and the CII executive director or their respective designees also must serve on the working group.
The plan must describe the benefits of and the costs associated with achieving a self-sustaining solar industry and maximizing the use of solar power, including (1) types and amounts of incentives to maximize in-state solar installations; (2) methods of residential solar financing; (3) estimated energy production; and (4) solar benefits, including avoided fossil-fuel combustion, reduced congestion (apparently on the electric transmission system) and peak power production, job creation, air quality, and reduced global warming emissions. The plan must (1) identify a target for the amount of generation and a timeline for achieving this target and (2) include recommendations on (a) workforce development and job training needed to build an in-state solar workforce and (b) coordination with other programs where appropriate.
By October 15, 2008, the board must approve the plan and submit it to the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board and the Energy and Technology and Commerce committees.
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