The Connecticut Department of Agriculture recently announced its latest distribution of agricultural enhancement grants released to 21 different projects across the state, including the release of $49,999 to Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development in Haddam. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) welcomed the funding in his district, which will allow for direct aid supporting veteran farmers and veterans interested in agriculture careers.

“I’m so glad our communities and our state will benefit from local veteran farmers and prospective farmers’ fresh produce in years to come through this grant,” said Sen. Needleman. “These funds will directly support current and future farmers who served our country and will increase local agricultural offerings so families throughout Connecticut can eat fresh and healthy.”

The $49,999 grant is a contract with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to conduct one-on-one consultations with prospective Connecticut veterans interested in agriculture and consultations to current farming veterans looking to expand operations or enhance offerings.

It will provide stipends to assist 20 veterans in moving forward with registering farm businesses and obtaining Farm Tax Exemption permits. It will also support the coordination and provision of one-on-one grant writing assistance.

More than $500,000 in grant funding was released through the program in this allocation, with funds supporting youth agricultural education, farmers’ market promotion, food supply chains and urban agriculture. The program as a whole is designed to improve agricultural viability in the state.

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, released the following statement in response to the Connecticut Superior Court’s ruling on an appeal filed by Aquarion Water Co. against the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in response to a rate cut the authority approved last year.

Aquarion initially sought a significant increase in revenue that PURA then reduced in a March 2023 decision, leading to the appeal against that decision; Aquarion’s increase would have increased residential water bills by about 9% per year, while PURA’s decision reduced residential water bills by as much as 11% per year.

“Today’s ruling is a major victory for PURA and for those who want thorough vetting of our state’s utilities, especially in rate requests,” said Sen. Needleman. “The regulatory authority’s methodology and decision-making in response to Aquarion’s filing was upheld, with PURA only having to further explain parts of a few choices it made.”

“I’m especially proud of this decision because it reflects the intention of work done by the legislature in the last several years to hold utilities accountable. This will lead to better results for ratepayers.”

“Today’s action, following last month’s positive outcome for PURA in the GenConn, Inc. case that saved ratepayers millions, is further affirmation that PURA, under the leadership of Chair Marissa Gillett, is succeeding with its rigorous and thorough approach to holding Connecticut’s utilities accountable. This is what happens when regulators commit to serious and thorough examination of their duties in the name of balance and fairness to all parties.”

As the 2024 legislative session in Connecticut continues, the Energy & Technology Committee, led by Senate Chair State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), is focused on important concepts that can potentially advance adoption of new power generation strategies and explore further adoption of solar power among other renewable energies in the state. It recently passed several bills for further consideration on the House and Senate floors.

“This year, our committee is looking toward increasing the ease of access and potential use of technology like solar and geothermal energy,” said Sen. Needleman. “As our state continues to explore the expansion and adoption of these forms of energy, the more we can do to encourage its adoption, protect its users and study new uses for the future will be beneficial for our communities.”

Perhaps the most significant piece of legislation advanced by the Energy & Technology Committee this year is House Bill 5052, “An Act Supporting Solar Energy In Schools.” The bill, if passed, would lead to the creation of a program encouraging the installation of solar energy systems and energy storage systems at public schools in Connecticut. School districts would be eligible to apply for and accept grants for school building projects involving solar energy based on assessments of solar feasibility, especially in projects where towns or districts don’t utilize solar energy.

Making access and development of solar energy easier is a common thread in the committee’s work this year and is not focused solely on schools. Senate Bill 297, “An Act Concerning Consumer Protection For Customers Of Solar Power Companies,” seeks to put requirements in place for third-party solar salesmen, including that they are directly affiliated with companies they use and that they explain all rates, fees and charges as well as terms and conditions of the systems they sell when discussing a sale. The bill further seeks to establish a task force providing further recommendations in future years, including potential special protections for low-income or senior residents.

Finally, House Bill 5358, “An Act Concerning A Study Of Geothermal Energy,” would require the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to study the feasibility of developing a community geothermal pilot program. These systems dig deep into the ground where temperature is nearly always consistent and utilize it to provide heat in winter and air conditioning in summer, most often using heat pumps. Community geothermal would see buildings interconnected with these heat pump systems, with increased energy efficiency through transferring air, possibly providing a new and eased way for HVAC and air regulation in communities.

All three bills passed the Energy & Technology Committee on March 21.