Bill Text: CT SB00178 | 2010 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Economic Indicators In Energy Decisions.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-14 - Referred by Senate to Committee on Energy and Technology [SB00178 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2010-SB00178-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
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February Session, 2010 |
*_____SB00178CE____031910____* |
AN ACT CONCERNING ECONOMIC INDICATORS IN ENERGY DECISIONS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (d) of section 16-245m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(d) (1) The Energy Conservation Management Board shall advise and assist the electric distribution companies in the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan, which plan shall be approved by the Department of Public Utility Control, to implement cost-effective energy conservation programs and market transformation initiatives. Each program contained in the plan shall be reviewed by the electric distribution company and either accepted or rejected by the Energy Conservation Management Board prior to submission to the department for approval. The Energy Conservation Management Board shall, as part of its review, examine opportunities to offer joint programs providing similar efficiency measures that save more than one fuel resource or otherwise to coordinate programs targeted at saving more than one fuel resource. Any costs for joint programs shall be allocated equitably among the conservation programs. The Energy Conservation Management Board shall (A) consider the economic impact of proposed projects identified in the plan, and (B) give preference to projects that maximize the reduction of federally mandated congestion charges. The Department of Public Utility Control shall, in an uncontested proceeding during which the department may hold a public hearing, approve, modify or reject the comprehensive plan prepared pursuant to this subsection.
(2) There shall be a joint committee of the Energy Conservation Management Board and the Renewable Energy Investments Board. The board and the advisory committee shall each appoint members to such joint committee. The joint committee shall examine opportunities to coordinate the programs and activities funded by the Renewable Energy Investment Fund pursuant to section 16-245n, as amended by this act, with the programs and activities contained in the plan developed under this subsection to reduce the long-term cost, environmental impacts and security risks of energy in the state. In conducting such examination, the joint committee shall consider the impact of such programs and activities on the state's economy. Such joint committee shall hold its first meeting on or before August 1, 2005.
(3) Programs included in the plan developed under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be screened through cost-effectiveness testing which compares the value and payback period of program benefits to program costs to ensure that programs are designed to obtain energy savings and system benefits, including mitigation of federally mandated congestion charges, whose value is greater than the costs of the programs. Cost-effectiveness testing shall utilize available information obtained from real-time monitoring systems to ensure accurate validation and verification of energy use. Such testing shall include an analysis of the effects of investments on increasing the state's load factor. Program cost-effectiveness shall be reviewed annually, or otherwise as is practicable. If a program is determined to fail the cost-effectiveness test as part of the review process, it shall either be modified to meet the test or shall be terminated. On or before March 1, 2005, and on or before March first annually thereafter, the board shall provide a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy and the environment (A) that documents expenditures and fund balances and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of such programs conducted in the preceding year, and (B) that documents the extent to and manner in which the programs of such board collaborated and cooperated with programs, established under section 7-233y, of municipal electric energy cooperatives. To maximize the reduction of federally mandated congestion charges, programs in the plan may allow for disproportionate allocations between the amount of contributions to the Energy Conservation and Load Management Funds by a certain rate class and the programs that benefit such a rate class. Before conducting such evaluation, the board shall consult with the Renewable Energy Investments Board. The report shall include a description of the activities undertaken during the reporting period jointly or in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Investment Fund established pursuant to subsection (c) of section 16-245n, as amended by this act.
(4) Programs included in the plan developed under subdivision (1) of this subsection may include, but not be limited to: (A) Conservation and load management programs, including programs that benefit low-income individuals; (B) research, development and commercialization of products or processes which are more energy-efficient than those generally available; (C) development of markets for such products and processes; (D) support for energy use assessment, real-time monitoring systems, engineering studies and services related to new construction or major building renovation; (E) the design, manufacture, commercialization and purchase of energy-efficient appliances and heating, air conditioning and lighting devices; (F) program planning and evaluation; (G) indoor air quality programs relating to energy conservation; (H) joint fuel conservation initiatives programs targeted at reducing consumption of more than one fuel resource; (I) public education regarding conservation; and (J) the demand-side technology programs recommended by the procurement plan approved by the Department of Public Utility Control pursuant to section 16a-3a. Such support may be by direct funding, manufacturers' rebates, sale price and loan subsidies, leases and promotional and educational activities. The plan shall also provide for expenditures by the Energy Conservation Management Board for the retention of expert consultants and reasonable administrative costs provided such consultants shall not be employed by, or have any contractual relationship with, an electric distribution company. Such costs shall not exceed five per cent of the total revenue collected from the assessment.
Sec. 2. Subsection (d) of section 16-245n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(d) There is hereby created a Renewable Energy Investments Board to act on matters related to the Renewable Energy Investment Fund, including, but not limited to, development of a comprehensive plan and expenditure of funds. The Renewable Energy Investments Board shall, in such plan, (1) consider the economic impact of proposed projects, and (2) give preference to projects that maximize the reduction of federally mandated congestion charges. The Renewable Energy Investments Board shall make a draft of the comprehensive plan available for public comment for not less than thirty days. The board shall conduct three public hearings in three different regions of the state on the draft comprehensive plan and shall include a summarization of all public comments received at said public hearings in the final comprehensive plan approved by the board. The board shall provide a copy of the comprehensive plan, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy and commerce. The Department of Public Utility Control shall, in an uncontested proceeding, during which the department may hold a public hearing, approve, modify or reject the comprehensive plan prepared pursuant to this subsection.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
July 1, 2010 |
16-245m(d) |
Sec. 2 |
July 1, 2010 |
16-245n(d) |
CE |
Joint Favorable Subst. |