Today we have heard from multiple ally organizations that we need to mobilize as many as possible to be at the Legislative Office Building this Thursday at 10 a.m. Analysts have gone over this bill carefully and it is even more extensive in its devastating effects should it be passed. It’s sneaking thru with a misleading name and we need as many people as we can muster to join together in opposition.
Here is the summary and requests for action from CT Citizen Action Group, but our other allies are saying the same:
SB 647, AAC Protections for Consumer Access to Affordable Energy. To paraphrase an old quote, ‘Don’t judge a bill by its Title, because Yes, this bill is that bad. Any help with the asks below are appreciated. Research and talking points follow.
SB 647, if it becomes law, eliminates funding for Energy Efficiency, Conservation & Load Management, the CT Green Bank, heat pumps, and EV chargers/infrastructure. System Benefits (Op Fuel, Hardships, LIDR) would move off electric bills and into the CGA’s competitive budget process. And it makes Millstone a Class 1 Renewable, so it can get money meant for true renewables. Not Good. Ask #1 Attend our Press Conference, March 6, 10 a.m., LOB 2nd floor Atrium.
I and others will make the case for the benefits and the programs they support. Having a big crowd with us sends that message. I’d suggest arriving early (9:30) for a spot in the LOB parking garage. There is a lower level if the ground floor fills up (I go there first), and Flower St nearby has some free two hour spots. Our event will wrap up around 10:30. The Energy & Technology Committee meets at 10:30 in room 1D.
Ask #2A Submit written testimony to the Energy & Technology Committee opposing SB 647. Select March 6 and when the bills pop up select SB 647, make sure to click oppose where it asks for your position. You can attach word of pdf docs, or type directly in the comment box. Suggestions are below on reasons to oppose the bill. Be sure to include why systems benefits and/or energy efficient and renewable programs need to remain in place.
Ask #2B Sign up to testify in person by Zoom to the Energy & Technology Committee. The link takes you to a screen that says Zoom, but at the end is an ‘In-Person’ check box if you’d like. Zoom testifying is especially useful if you can’t stick around.
Ask #4 Find & Contact your Legislator! Call, email or stop in their office and chat them up while you are waiting to testify. This is HUGE! This is especially important if they are on the E&T committee (click on the Committee Membership tab for a list).
SB 647 – What to Say about it. This bill destroys a lot, however your message/testimony doesn’t have to take on the whole thing. You can focus on a couple of items. so take your pick.
The System Benefits Charge will be removed from bills and put into the CGA budget. This puts the programs below at risk, because
1. Our budget has a cap, and there is always a huge battle over what to fund or not fund, and
2. Many SB 647 co-sponsors have publicly called for eliminating the Public Benefits.
These are the programs the SBC funds:
· Operation Fuel, which gets fuel to neighbors who are running low and can’t afford more.
· Shutoff Protection, which does not allow the utility to shut off electricity to a home from Nov 1 to May 1
· The Matching Payment Program (MPP) Eversource or UI, can lower the amount you owe on energy bills. For every dollar you pay and every dollar you receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), the utility will subtract a dollar from the amount you owe.
· The Low-Income Conservation Program (aka HES-IE), which offers a full range of energy conservation measures. Eligibility is based on 60 percent of the state median income.
· Low Income Discount Rate for electricity (Eversource, UI) which allows folks (based on income) to pay a lower rate. A big help for seniors, or anyone getting out from under hardship. It is capped for usage to prevent ‘gaming’ the system, and there is a mechanism to pay back arrearages, should they exist.
It is simply heartless to remove these supports from those who are struggling. We should be trying to eliminate the factors that are causing these hardships.
Suggestion: Ask your legislator if they have spoken to someone in their district who would be impacted by not having Operation Fuel or LIDR help?
The Conservation & Load Management Charge (annual report with impressive numbers!) funding would be eliminated. Gone would be:
· Home Energy Solutions (residential)
· Energy Opportunities (Businesses)
· Energy Efficient products
· Load Management (Load Shedding UI, & Load Shifting)
The businesses and their employees would pretty much go elsewhere, and one of the main ways homes and businesses to reduce electric bills would be cancelled.
Suggestion: Ask your legislator if they are OK with the loss of thousands of jobs, hundreds of businesses, and millions of dollars of economic boost?
The Renewable Energy Investment Charge which funds The CT Green Bank (annual report with impressive numbers!) would be eliminated. Gone would be the Municipal Assistance Program, Smart E Loans, many low income assistance programs, and the Green Bank’s impressive sevenfold private sector return on investment.
Suggestion: Ask your legislator who or what will replace the Green Bank with the same track record of success?
The bill also eliminates incentives for Heat Pumps (ground source & Ductless mini splits), EV charging & related infrastructure, EV School buses