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HARTFORD, CT — As energy costs continue to place a strain on households, the legislature has passed a bill supporters say will renew focus on making renewable energy more affordable.
The bill, House Bill 5340, establishes targets for megawatts and budgets each year, creates dedicated solar rates for low-income households, creates successor programs for residential and non-residential and community solar programs and standardizes successor tariff programs for 20 years.
“Renewable energy provides strong benefits across our communities, but our systems and programs need to be updated regularly, making sure we’re delivering benefits to all, not just some,” said state Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex. “This legislation takes a detailed view of our solar outlook and makes significant adjustments preserving current programs and extending their availability and opportunities further across the state.”
The bill passed the Senate 27-9 Wednesday, with two Republicans voting with the Democrats in support. It had previously cleared the House 99-43 last week. It now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk.
State Sen. Jeff Gordon, R-Woodstock, said he was concerned that the bill extended several programs that are funded by the public benefit charges on consumers’ monthly utilities bills. The programs had been set to expire in 2028 but will now run for 20 more years.
“Each year these programs are extended, ratepayers will continue to be tagged with public benefit taxes on their already high electric bills,” Gordon said. “We must put ratepayers first. Electric bills should only be about the electricity you use and nothing else. Connecticut is already unaffordable for too many hard-working people, their families, seniors, and job-creating small businesses. We should not be making things more unaffordable for them.” 
Connor Yakaitis, deputy director of the Connecticut League Conservation Voters applauded the bill’s passage, saying it would stabilize costs and promote locally generated power that would “help pave the way for a cleaner and more affordable energy future for our residents and businesses across Connecticut.”
Sunrun, a company that advertises itself as the nation’s top home solar and storage provider, also praised the bill in a statement issued shortly after passage.
“Connecticut is a step closer to diversifying its energy portfolio and protecting ratepayers from the high cost and volatility of fossil fuels with the passage of a bill that authorizes the next generation of clean energy programs in the Senate tonight,” said Sr. Director Kyle Wallace. “Tens of thousands of households and businesses across the state have taken part in the current program and reduced energy costs, while supporting thousands of clean energy jobs. This next generation program will pair solar with batteries that can provide backup power to customers, and dispatch clean energy back to the grid when it is most needed, reducing costs even further.”
Donald Eng is an award-winning local news veteran. He has covered multiple communities for various news organizations since 1995.
In his spare time he is a recovering cheer dad and a New York Mets, red wine, and adult rec tennis enthusiast.
















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