The legislative session in Connecticut is busier than ever with a flurry of proposed cuts that stand to limit Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs at a time when we need to be expanding these programs to meet the state’s decarbonization and equity goals.

 

Given the volatility of our current climate, both politically and environmentally, it can be difficult to feel confident that you can make a difference. We may all benefit from keeping this in mind: the only way to ensure that you won’t make a difference is… by doing nothing at all. 

 

The goal of the Advocacy & Equity Community is to identify WHAT – WHEN – HOW our community can speak up for proposed bills that will move progress forward or oppose bills that will take our state backwards – including two that will be heard at tomorrow’s Energy & Technology Committee Public Hearing:

 

Rapid Action for Bills that BuildGreenCT is Opposing:

Submit testimony to the Energy & Technology Committee TODAY, (Wednesday, March 5th) by either calling your local representative ASAP or submitting a written response by 3pm OPPOSING the following two bills:

 

• •  SB-4: AN ACT CONCERNING ENERGY AFFORDABILITY, ACCESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
    • Submit Testimony 
    • Register to Speak 

According to our coalition partner, The Sierra Club, this bill seeks to lock Connecticut into climate and health-harming fossil fuels. It would increase reliance on methane gas and eliminate critical programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. 

 

• • SB-647: AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR CONSUMER ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY.
    • Submit Testimony 
    • Register to Speak 

The strategy of this mislabeled bill is to vilify and ban the public benefits charge on our electricity bill which funds the energy efficiency programs in Connecticut’s Conservation & Load Management (C& LM) plan.

 

To further support the funding of Energy Efficiency Programs in Connecticut’s C & LM Plan, attend Thursday’s 10am CT Energy Network Press Conference with Senator Norm Needleman to learn more and support many of the programs that are under attack.

Contact Your Representatives

Even after Public Hearing, your representatives need to hear from you! Contact your representative, especially if they’re on the Energy & Technology Committees to encourage them to continue to:

 

• OPPOSE the following bills: 
  • SB-647: AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR CONSUMER ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY.
  •  SB-4: AN ACT CONCERNING ENERGY AFFORDABILITY, ACCESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. 

• SUPPORT the following bills: 
  • HB-6925: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONNECTICUT HOME ENERGY LABEL AND A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDITORS
  • HB-6926: AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR THE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY PREPARATION SERVICES PROGRAM

You can find your representative here. Find out if they’re on the Energy & Technology Committee via this link. View the list of Energy & Technology Committee Members Here 

Connect With Us

As a reminder, you can review our informational legislative packet here, which includes fact sheets about bills, some links to resources, and more. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can hear more from us by: 

 

• Sign Up for Our Newsletter: Select the Advocacy & Equity Community as your interest (you’ll hear from Kate about upcoming Public Hearings & opportunities for engagement),
• Connect with Kate Klein: While Melissa Kops is on Maternity Leave (Congrats, Melissa!), Kate is leading the Advocacy & Equity Community. Reach out to Kate with any questions, share your interests, what you’re passionate about, and any relevant experience.