Connecticut lawmakers look at ways to boost electricity supply
Connecticut lawmakers on the Energy and Technology Committee are trying to lay the groundwork to increase energy supply in the future.
That includes proposals to ramp up the state’s advanced nuclear workforce and continue some clean energy programs.
Sen. Norm Needleman (D-Essex) noted the state is trying to support the growth of nuclear production after lifting a moratorium in 2019.
“The nuclear stuff is building on that,” Needleman, a co-chair of the committee, said. The proposals were part of a public hearing on Thursday at the Legislative Office Building.
One bill tasks the Connecticut Council for Advancing Nuclear Energy Development with figuring out how to grow the state’s advanced nuclear workforce.
This includes workers needed to build small nuclear reactors and the staff needed to operate those facilities.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) requested proposals in January for zero-carbon energy as the state’s current contracts, including with nuclear power plant Millstone, expire in 2029.
DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes noted that proposals could include plans to expand to produce more energy.
She also said she’s been educating local leaders who may be considering facilities in their towns.
“If we’re talking nuclear anywhere besides Waterford, that has to come from the community level and be community opt-in,” Dyke said.
Other bills included possible incentives for people who connect to district heating systems and for DEEP to study if changes are needed to local permitting processes for residential solar installations.
Republicans are raising concerns about another bill that would instruct the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to identify successors to various solar programs set to expire.
The programs have been supported through the public benefits charge, but Republicans said those programs should be moved to the budget if they continue.
“This is on your public benefits,” Rep. Tracy Marra (R-Darien) said. “How are they going to be charged for that? Is there room to put that in the budget, not on your ratepayer bills?”
She also wants the state to limit how much extra it pays for renewable energy sources compared to more traditional electricity sources.
Dykes said the state properly evaluates programs.
“That’s an important test that all of these programs have to demonstrate is that the cost is going to provide benefits, even to the people who don’t participate,” she said.
Meanwhile, Needleman said he thinks a bipartisan bill passed last year will continue to bring rates down in the short term.
He pointed to the fact that the bill allows Eversource and United Illuminating to spread out the costs incurred with storm damage and cleanup. Needleman’s hopeful rates will go down when they are adjusted in the spring.
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