May 7, 2026

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN LEADS FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION MAKING RENEWABLE ENERGY MORE AFFORDABLE, EASIER TO ACCESS

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) led the Senate’s final passage of legislation seeking to make renewable energy more affordable, simpler to access and safer for Connecticut families. The bill will ensure renewable energy programs have renewed focus on affordability at a time when costs are placing pressure on households.

“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 Sen. Needleman. “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. I’m encouraged in its ability to reduce costs compared to current programs without impacting the benefits the electric grid and ratepayers receive.”

House Bill 5340 seeks to establish clear targets for megawatts and budgets each year to keep ratepayer costs predictable, allows for flexibility for solar programs avoiding rigid annual caps, and makes sure to target both megawatts procured and total incentives paid to customers when pursuing goals, looking at consumer and grid benefits alike.

It also creates dedicated solar rates for low-income households, with efforts to direct community solar benefits to customers who can’t access rooftop solar. This benefit of the policy seeks to ensure program incentives offer the most value for customers and the electric grid at once.

The bill creates clear successor programs for residential, non-residential and community solar and renewable energy, building on existing programs, while it also standardizes successor tariff programs for up to 20 years, providing increases to price stability and protecting consumers from market volatility.

In addition, it:

  • Launches automated online solar permitting systems statewide by 2028, allowing 24/7 submission of applications, instant approvals for projects complying with building code
  • Allowing safe use of one small plug-in solar device per household, with no utility approval, fees or added equipment required
  • Requires timely reporting of major and minor incidents at electric generation facilities
  • Strengthens emergency response readiness for solar facilities
  • Establishes working groups looking into system safety
Today’s 27-9 Senate vote follows the House’s passage by a 99-43 tally on May 1 and the bill’s advance in the Energy and Technology Committee by an 18-8 tally on March 19. It now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.
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