[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6361710,"mediaKeyId","2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2","parentId",2170317,"title","Committee agrees to raise broad electric-utilities concept for hearing after members flag need for focused language","audioSeconds",680,"startMs",1448000,"endMs",2128000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2&start=1448&end=2128","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2/thumbnail_1448000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361710/Connecticut/Committee-agrees-to-raise-broad-electric-utilities-concept-for-hearing-after-members-flag-need-for-focused-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361710-7002f2c35997cde55a90cc77ce6277b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141012&Signature=cM6dKK0RJDHqerPrcLTkVFb-h6NoTlgCUkg1KAOBzRiIrXzmEgCqLyMP0FdMqcv9IHnqZcMo0Pl3P6e5gqWYCP1XOrSt659XTUf6s15SYKwdjGdVQ~EcgRWmwgV9IMBocim1ZEKy5FTxIEa78SXzewiFTxi5tDlW8rdYqNaEUMnNLG5N4I-DgxDhmPtODm7Md7VkJL0Lpj0nU6E1cSNiCUdGrk2a~01rfVFSEyblaou3~KOUMMRG4sAgmSp9g~PjyXDM23gLNlOkqtU75lBOZ1KdipQWm0EWNNjIxowoxijZW7ykjzMc2nPVcMsw9G4rTgfjTGQFrW21~6FZC3JFQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CGA - Energy and Technology Committee","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Hartford — The Energy and Technology Committee voted to raise for public hearing a broad concept concerning electric utilities, a discussion the cochairs said is intended to solicit input on ratepayer protections, alternatives and utility roles as Connecticut charts energy policy.

Representative Jonathan Steinberg, cochair, framed the topic as an effort to “have a broad conversation” about utilities’ roles and ratepayer interests. During discussion Representative Ictorino asked where potential language for the concept would appear, noting the subject is “so broad.” Steinberg replied that the committee hoped to gather input from colleagues and the public and that the discussion would not be framed as adversarial despite recent “lawsuit” coverage in news reports referenced by the cochairs.

Why it matters: Committee leadership described utilities as “integral partners” in the state’s energy transition but acknowledged tensions between government and utilities. Raising the concept for hearing will allow stakeholders, including utilities, consumer advocates and municipal officials, to state positions and provide the committee with possible statutory or regulatory language to consider.

The concept was advanced by roll-call vote; leadership said votes would be held open until 4 p.m. for members not present.

Ending: The committee advanced the electric-utilities concept to public hearing where staff and stakeholders are expected to present proposed statutory language, fiscal analyses and viewpoints on utility regulation and ratepayer protections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Energy and Technology 1.30 Committee Meeting part 1","oneSentenceSummary","The Energy and Technology Committee voted to raise a broad concept concerning electric utilities for public hearing; members sought clarity on the scope and noted recent litigation in the news but said the goal is open discussion of ratepayer protections and alternatives.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361715,"Committee advances funding concept for Residential Energy Preparation Services Program amid cost-scrutiny",578,1292000,1870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2&start=1292&end=1870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2/thumbnail_1292000.jpg","/articles/6361715/Connecticut/Committee-advances-funding-concept-for-Residential-Energy-Preparation-Services-Program-amid-cost-scrutiny","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361715-ba29738293d43f3ad5527323b20a26e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141012&Signature=Ofl-xu0vHTtGg2-HGegdO-E9Il3-aRa-j2MrM2isaSpxpbJ-qUlrGZxBqtNmpkTUsKKSCEaN87Sw~0CL0FXnxaOnMkuq61oBVFD9y0R1l4Ue6rXg25IXBA2SiPIfoJ3LSg3JB3J5PBatAq3IRhDYRvrWFCrX9tgt6dPFiAFLY95pwpXt6KRAIaSZi~vxvvwSrX-AHXlreTRYlZXzaQD1YxnCqvMh6BG7sXgaBLNoYC3p74sZ7ywjdpK9U7bwPvAk0UYcwXSwjV4xC06phfeGTInOuljG3M~Vr5U5evTexrky~R9dX6m-nGQVzK9GBKpLP52c7YK8RAmMe4DXho3Pxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hartford — The Energy and Technology Committee voted to raise for public hearing a concept to provide funding for the Residential Energy Preparation Services Program, the panel said after members debated the program’s past temporary funding and potential future costs.

Committee members described the program as a complement to home-energy audits that addresses broader habitability issues in aging housing stock, including mold and rodent remediation that affect quality of life. Representative Jonathan Steinberg, cochair, framed the idea as part of an effort to protect public health while addressing energy needs.

Representative Buckbe (audio and transcript lists similar names during the meeting) questioned continuing or expanding funding without an audit of the program’s results and current spending. “My concern falls in the same rain again when it talks about, additional funding ... I think we need to analyze these a little bit more and we need to audit these to see if that's, if there's a need to continue the amount of funding there is,” Buckbe said, and indicated a no vote at this stage while leaving open future support after further review.

Committee leadership replied that raising the concept for a hearing would permit review of past expenditures and program outcomes and would also allow the committee to consider funding sources other than direct ratepayer charges.

Ending: The committee advanced the funding concept to hearing to allow fiscal review and stakeholder testimony; staff were asked to provide program audit information and funding options for the hearing record.","The committee voted to raise a concept to provide funding for the Residential Energy Preparation Services Program; members urged an audit of existing funding and cautioned about potential ratepayer impacts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361720,"Committee advances Connecticut Home Energy Label concept amid concern over training costs",397,1253000,1650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2&start=1253&end=1650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2/thumbnail_1253000.jpg","/articles/6361720/Connecticut/Committee-advances-Connecticut-Home-Energy-Label-concept-amid-concern-over-training-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361720-93ee39e2d85cb848bf6a56cb0fff447f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141012&Signature=irJ9Qdk3uG3CB070N5q84U9kPeljUHnM8oHu~UnIb01sU2NyhqWWnZS9Lwzy6t6SIio-BKcFHaeAZI01Cwa-bwo58OZxFSqwx2plQzpIEkYzNVpaiKclQPjtpk2YfLVTFIjSyPtYbI7F~VNPqDz7iTRW19bJ6pwtyzDh1002R1ARLfEeTzMuPgWbL2NW6DAQAnqLmW1hPtv31o5eWTkSGKdr5rOqn8KXVJSQwjCQTJ0M8d0K8ctf1AbYVEYeSCKxiwSjcQFAylzem3bigCTOUeZv7XEvE4Y4Eayu7yw9CxXbTW1YIGqSvMc~-Jv-2PvS-aMYqtlVBX9ILoREaLXeLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hartford — The Energy and Technology Committee voted to raise for public hearing a proposal to establish a Connecticut Home Energy Label and to create a training program for energy-efficiency professionals, but some members expressed concern about potential costs falling to ratepayers.

The concept, described by committee cochairs as a consumer-disclosure measure to give homeowners and renters clearer information about heating-system costs and electricity use, was advanced by motion and decided by roll-call vote. Representative Jonathan Steinberg, cochair, said the label would aim to give consumers “some understanding as to the cost implications of the heating systems and the other uses of electricity that they may be signing on for.”

Why it matters: Supporters argued the label would increase transparency and help consumers compare long-term energy costs when buying or leasing homes. Representative Bakke, who requested recognition during discussion, said she supported exploring the idea but opposed raising it now without more clarity about funding for the proposed training program.

“I have but it's it's awful but I on on number 1 here my concern is just the creating the training program This is going to fall within a lot of what my concerns are for this year's session too. It's just where that's going to be paid for and where the cost is going to be absorbed,” Representative Bakke said during the meeting, and said she would vote no at this stage because of cost uncertainty but left open the possibility of supporting the proposal later.

Committee cochairs and other members said raising the concept for public hearing would allow the committee to gather that fiscal and programmatic information, including whether training costs would be borne by state funds, federal grants, private providers or ratepayers. The clerk then conducted a roll-call vote on the concept; leadership said votes would remain open to 4 p.m. for members not present.

Ending: The committee advanced the home-energy-label concept to public hearing to gather stakeholder input and fiscal details; committee members asked staff to return cost estimates and funding-source options when the bill is drafted for hearing.","The Energy and Technology Committee voted to raise a concept to establish a Connecticut Home Energy Label and a training program for energy-efficiency professionals; some members voiced concern about who would pay for training.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361725,"Energy and Technology Committee raises multiple energy concepts, refers seven bills to other committees",1638,800000,2438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2&start=800&end=2438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170317-33f3493aa8d48859c036556a285654b2/thumbnail_800000.jpg","/articles/6361725/Connecticut/Energy-and-Technology-Committee-raises-multiple-energy-concepts-refers-seven-bills-to-other-committees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361725-dc3b955b6cf5d394e9785ca6cc1dbe07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141012&Signature=YIt6vyUeWZh4BH7MKFLDKQbzE-wGPlm--XZ7NKsjL7HrzKiND0BOEdByOgfk5elIJ4gfUS-eouMsAcXwOsGYPR6nkVsYWtEgtYTahx8jHsWIIqGm7U90po~-38IoDhJPy7tQp~E-bL0I4pp6z9P7ukzPA4Hb6GqMDPUYqwboirPSjc7TS5nII-2A5XQ81oWY05-JGeEVmjAOwEYUL-iu975YwH3c~M4w9jiRiQwnU59hskeEmeoYTPjIbch~1wy4scdQBecjGU6MqoqV1xG50NjX8WFS52uNGAHTepeJFIkgvAVARi60EgJCIYjs2COgKkyJDdYUHA5wu-2bQFrVgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hartford — The Connecticut General Assembly’s Energy and Technology Committee on an expedited agenda voted to draft Senate Bill 647 as a committee bill, refer seven introduced bills to other committees of cognizance and to raise eight policy concepts for public hearing, the panel’s cochairs said at the start of the session.

The actions clear several items for public hearings and further vetting. The committee’s cochair, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, said the meeting would move quickly and that drafting SB 647 as a committee bill would let the panel hold a focused public hearing on “protections from consumer access to affordable electricity,” the subject as stated in the agenda. The motion to draft SB 647 as a committee bill was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; committee leadership said votes would remain open until 4 p.m. for absent members.

Why it matters: referral and concept votes send proposals to committees that have the subject-matter expertise to vet legal, fiscal and technical issues before any bill is reported out. Committee cochairs framed the meeting as a way to gather information and publicly vet ideas that could affect ratepayers, workforce training, renewable energy siting and utility regulation.

Most of the referred bills were routed to committees that handle related policy matters: House Bill 6298 (testimony to the signing council) to Government Administration and Elections; a decommissioning requirement for solar-voltaic systems to Environment; House Bill 5677 (solar installations and common interest communities) to Planning and Development; House Bill 6304 (training and certification for solar-panel installation workers) to General Law; tax-related elements for solar projects starting in Finance; House Bill 5403 (prohibiting state agencies and municipalities from purchasing or operating certain unmanned aircraft systems) to Finance; and Senate Bill 899 (implementing a uniform solar capacity tax) starting in General Law with anticipated interest from Finance.

The committee also agreed to raise, for public hearing, eight concepts including: establishing a Connecticut Home Energy Label and a training program for energy-efficiency professionals; funding for the Residential Energy Preparation Services Program; community choice aggregation; grants for qualified renewable diesel producers; pilot funding for thermal energy networks; notice-of-excavation requirements by public utilities to property owners; broad discussions concerning electric utilities; and a technical revisions bill from the Legislative Commissioner.

Votes at a glance:
- Senate Bill 647 — motion to draft as a committee bill: approved by voice vote; votes to remain open until 4 p.m. for absent members.
- Referral of House Bills 6298, 50401 (decommissioning solar), 5677, 6304, 5403 and Senate Bill 899 to other committees: approved by voice vote; votes to remain open until 4 p.m.
- Concepts to be raised (Item 5): Connecticut Home Energy Label (roll-call vote; item advanced), Residential Energy Preparation Services funding (roll-call vote; item advanced), Electric utilities (roll-call vote; item advanced). Other concepts (community choice aggregation, renewable diesel grants, thermal energy networks pilot grants, notice of excavation, legislative technical revisions) were advanced by voice vote.

Committee leaders repeatedly emphasized that raising a concept does not indicate support for any final bill text and that routing to the appropriate committee is intended to enable subject-matter vetting. The cochairs also said some items might return to the Energy and Technology Committee after initial review elsewhere.

The committee recessed after completing the agenda and set its next meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 4; clerks and chairs noted roll-call tallies would be kept open to 4 p.m. for members who were not present during votes.

Ending: The committee’s actions clear multiple items for public hearings and further intercommittee review; specific bill language and fiscal impact information will be considered in future hearings.","The committee voted to draft Senate Bill 647 as a committee bill, referred seven bills to other committees, and agreed to raise eight policy concepts for public hearing, keeping roll-call votes open until 4 p.m. for members not present.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee agrees to raise broad electric-utilities concept for hearing after members flag need for focused language

Committee advances funding concept for Residential Energy Preparation Services Program amid cost-scrutiny

Committee advances Connecticut Home Energy Label concept amid concern over training costs

Energy and Technology Committee raises multiple energy concepts, refers seven bills to other committees