Senate Leadership
March 6, 2007
Williams Testifies on Energy Procurement and Efficiency Bill
Proposes ‘Marshall Plan’ for conservation
State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today testified before the legislature's Energy and Technology Committee in support of his energy bill saying, "It's a comprehensive initiative that will help the utilities procure power more effectively and invest much-needed dollars and effort into creating a plan that will serve as a model for educating residents on the benefits of energy efficiency."
"Our state is facing a crisis with respect to electricity rates. With recent increases as high as 50 percent, Connecticut residents and businesses are now paying among the highest electric rates in the continental United States," Sen. Williams told the committee. "I am sure that like me, you have heard from constituents in your district struggling to pay their electric bills each month: individuals who have to choose between paying for prescriptions and turning the heat up; businesses that are thinking of relocating or closing simply because they can no longer afford to keep their operations running in our state."
An Act Concerning Electricity Procurement and Energy Efficiency, focuses primarily on two areas:
- A re-examination of the current system of how utility companies buy electricity. Increasing procurement options would greatly benefit consumers. This would also greatly reduce the need for "middlemen"-the brokers whose large profits increase the cost of energy to consumers.
- The initiation of a major, multifaceted educational awareness campaign on the benefits of energy efficiency-a "Marshall Plan" on conservation. This campaign will include a real-time energy report that will be aired as part of the daily weather report. This would identify the state's real-time energy demand and emphasize the importance of reducing peak demand on hot, summer days.
"Increased energy efficiency and conservation measures must be a part of our energy policy as we move forward. Energy efficiency allows individuals to lower their own energy demand, while also lowering the state's overall demand," Sen. Williams said. "This reduces the need for additional generation and gives ratepayers control and responsibility over their electric bills."
"To help in this effort...I propose establishing a voluntary program for a four-tier rate structure. This program will establish a surcharge on peak rates: those times during the summer when we are reaching highest-demand peak days. Ratepayers in this program will be notified on the days when the state is reaching dangerously high peak demand and will be encouraged to shift their load to lower-priced periods of the day. This will not only lower their electric bills, but will also lower the state's overall energy usage and reduce the potential occurrence of brownouts and blackouts."
Added Sen. Williams, "It is also important that students learn and get involved in our 'Marshall Plan.' That is why I propose establishing a week-long promotional event, called 'See the Light.' Schools throughout the state would be encouraged to participate in a statewide compact fluorescent light fund raiser. Instead of selling candy, for example, students would sell light bulbs that use energy more efficiently and lower electric bills. Students would also learn throughout the week the benefits of renewable energy and conservation. The school would be allowed to keep the profits."
Sen. Williams' plan also allocates $50 million in bonding for distributed generation projects, earmarking $25 million for fuel cells. This funding will help promote a homegrown industry while encouraging the proliferation of distributed generation.
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
