August 8, 2011

ENERGY REFORM A KEY TO JOB GROWTH
Event in New Haven highlights push to keep costs down

Representative Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) joined Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven, Hamden), Senator Toni Harp (D-New Haven, West Haven) and Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford) at an event in New Haven focusing on recently enacted energy reforms and their potential savings for local businesses.

The event was held Friday at C. Cowles & Company, a New Haven manufacturer and precision metal stamping company.

“To create jobs, businesses must keep energy costs down,” said Rep. Dillon who noted that job creation remains the top priority of the General Assembly.

This year’s sweeping energy reforms include:

• Lower electric rates—Improved electricity contracting and procurement procedures will capture falling natural gas prices for 5-10 percent lower rates by next year
• Support for combined heat and power (CHP) installations at manufacturers to generate electricity on-site, and recycle waste heat
• A new green bank to leverage state and private dollars for investment in clean energy businesses, jobs and projects
• Competitive zero-emission and low-emission electric generation programs, that foster competition amongst new technologies (solar, wind, fuel cells)
• A new one-stop-shop for businesses to get information on all state energy programs and reducing energy costs—it will take calls, and reach out to companies proactively

In addition, as part of the recently-passed biennial state budget, a planned five percent electric surcharge on the bills of all United Illuminating (UI) area customers was eliminated, along with an existing surcharge for customers of Connecticut Light & Power. The UI area surcharge would have taken effect in 2013. Repeal of the surcharges will amount to hundreds of millions in savings for businesses and residences statewide.