Energy In the News

Plan would tap "green" fund

By Mark Pazniokas

One day after its release, a key piece of Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposed $18.9 billion budget for the next fiscal year is in trouble, a harbinger of challenges awaiting legislators.

Opposition mounted Thursday as word spread that one of Rell's top options for borrowing $1.3 billion would require diverting money from special green-technology funds largely financed by a surcharge on electric rates.

Critics said the diversion would cripple a growing industry of energy-efficiency contractors who provide jobs and a low-cost means for businesses to cut energy costs.

"We are one of the highest-cost energy states in the country. We save more when we get it right," said Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Cheshire. "Why in the world would we cut that?"

Environmentalists, manufacturers and the state's largest utility, Northeast Utilities, all quickly suggested that the diversion would be short-sighted and undermine one of Rell's own priorities - promoting green technology.

"Kermit the Frog had it wrong all these years, I'm afraid. It is easy to be green," Rell said during her State of the State address. "Solar, fuel cells, wind turbines and geothermal all hold the kids to economic and energy prosperity."

"The line made for a nice sound bite," said Chris Phelps, the director of the advocacy group Environment Connecticut. "But apparently Gov. Rell didn't mean a word of it."

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