Bill No. 7080 AN ACT CREATING A STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Today responsibility for managing energy policy is divided up among eight different agencies (description attached)
(1) Office of Policy & Management
(2) Clean Energy Fund
(3) Department of Environmental Protection
(4) Department of Public Utility Control
(5) Energy Advisory Board
(6) Energy Conservation Management Board
(7) Office of Consumer Counsel
(8) Sitting Council
This fragmentation might have sufficed in earlier and simpler times in the energy field, but not now. We all know that the state is beset with very serious energy challenges. The state needs an Energy Department, charged with three fundamental responsibilities, which are now not being fulfilled anywhere:
- Provide the legislature and the Governor with regular factual reports and analysis of the ever changing energy picture.
- Recommend to the legislature and the Governor a comprehensive energy strategy.
- Cary out the responsibilities assigned to it in implementing the strategy.
This is not a recommendation for a vast new bureaucracy. Quite the contrary, much of the personnel and funding for the new department can come from consolidating the eight agencies already involved. I do recognize that there is a certain inertia in the current structure, and “turf protection” is involved. However these must not be allowed to stand in the way of needed changes to address new challenges.
State Agencies With Energy Responsibilities
Office of Policy and Management - The Energy Unit has a number of responsibilities regarding energy management in State owned and leased buildings. The goal of energy management is to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs. In addition, State facilities are also sometimes used as "testing grounds" for new technologies in using energy. The Energy Unit monitors on a monthly basis the energy used and the costs paid by State agencies. The Energy Unit also oversees development and implementation of energy performance standards and determines appropriate thresholds for energy use. http://www.opm.state.ct.us/pdpd2/energy/enserv.htm
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF): www.ctcleanenergy.com
The Clean Energy Fund was established to promote clean and renewable energy use in Connecticut. The site contains information on clean and renewable energy sources, current and previous investments made by the Fund and information about how to apply for funding.
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):
www.dep.state.ct.us/wst/P2/energy/index.htm
The DEP is the agency charged with ensuring the conservation, improvement, and protection of Connecticut's environment while also encouraging the social and economic development of the state. This site is one part of the DEP that deals with energy in CT. The site provides information on efficiency, climate change, biomass, and biodiesel, and links to many state and federal sites.
Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC): www.state.ct.us/dpuc
The DPUC is the state agency responsible for safe, adequate and reliable service of public utilities. Their site provides general information about the DPUC as well as specific information on utilities, updates on docket records, consumer assistance, and forms for filing documents with the DPUC.
Connecticut Energy Advisory Board (CEAB): www.ctenergy.org
Responsibilities of the CEAB include creating an annual energy plan for the state, representing the state in ISO New England's regional energy system planning process, encouraging municipalities affected by proposed projects to participate in regional planning, and developing preferential standards for issuing and evaluating requests for proposals related to energy projects in the state. The site includes meeting information, the Board's "Energy Plan for Connecticut", and CEAB news.
Connecticut Energy Conservation Management Board (ECMB): www.state.ct.us/dpuc/ecmb
Advisory Group to the DPUC that assists utility distribution companies in the development and implementation of comprehensive and cost-effective energy conservation and market transformation plans. Site includes information about the Board, Annual Report to the Legislature, and various other reports and presentations.
Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC): www.ct.gov/occ/default.asp
The OCC is an independent state agency with statutory responsibility to represent customers of Connecticut's five regulated utilities (electric, gas, water, telephone, and cable television), primarily in matters that go before the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). The OCC's website contains information for consumers about each utility, how to participate in a DPUC hearing, and how to file a complaint.
Connecticut Siting Council: www.ct.gov/csc/site/default.asp
The Connecticut Siting Council's mission is to objectively balance the statewide public need for adequate and reliable services at the lowest cost to consumers with the need to protect the environment and ecology of the state. The Siting Council has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the siting of facilities under its jurisdiction, while municipal zoning and inland wetland commissions may regulate and restrict electric generation facilities, and electric substations. The site contains meeting proceedings, application guides, and public participation information.
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