OLR Bill Analysis

sSB 1135

AN ACT CONCERNING ENERGY EFFICIENCY INVESTMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

SUMMARY:

Under this bill, the Department of Public Utility Control must require the Energy Conservation Management Board, the Renewable Energy Investments Board, and electric companies to establish a program for energy conservation and load management projects specifically in municipalities eligible to have enterprise zones. These municipalities are designated based on their poverty and unemployment rates, among other things. The program must include a job training component for existing or potential minority business enterprises (i. e. , those owned or controlled by members of minority groups, women, or disabled individuals).

The program must provide for funding at a level equal to 3% of the total money collected for the Energy Conservation and Load Management Fund. This funding must be derived (1) initially from the Energy Conservation and Load Management and Clean Energy Funds (which are supported by charges on electric bills), and (2) from funds made available to the state for such purposes from the 2009 federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The department must report to the Energy and Technology committee by February 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, on the program.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

COMMITTEE ACTION

Energy and Technology Committee

Joint Favorable