by Frank Panzarella
Fight the Hike has been working on energy reform issues for 4 years now and our work has included developing bills as well as grassroots education campaigns to develop public opinion and understanding of the issues facing Connecticut.
There are a number of energy bills worth supporting. Our focus is on HR 5505, a bill that would create a Connecticut electric authority, which would enable the state to create new energy generation under state auspices, end-run the current buying process and buy directly from generators, and promote renewables, among other important pieces.
H.B. No. 5505, An Act Concerning Electric Rate Relief, would mandate the creation of a discount electric and natural gas rate for low-income customers to help struggling families keep up with their bills.
It would also create a new agency, a power authority called the Connecticut Electric Authority that would be tasked with ensuring that Connecticut’s electric rates go down. It would have the power to create new generation under state auspices and be able to bond monies for this purpose.
In addition, this bill would ensure that Connecticut has reliable electric service, including contracting with new power plants or existing power plants.
The Connecticut Electric Authority would be the agency responsible for making sure that State buildings are leading the way in adopting new technologies
This bill would also create a windfall profits tax to tax generation companies that take advantage of the efficiencies and poor design of the regional energy market. The proceeds of the tax would go directly back to ratepayers, with the goal that we will finally stop having the highest rates in the Continental United States.
Other bills that Fight the Hike would like passed are: H.B. No. 5507, An Act Concerning Consumer Protections In The Retail Electricity Market; H.B. No. 5508, An Act Establishing The Division Of Electricity Policy And Procurement; and H.B. No. 5362, An Act Concerning Renewable Energy.
The next Fight the Hike meeting is Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m., New Haven City Hall, 165 Church St., 2nd floor. For more information, call (203) 562-2798 or e-mail paulapanzarelle@yahoo.com.
