Hartford- Governor Rell today signed into law the omnibus energy bill passed by the General Assembly. However, in signing the bill, the governor vetoed two provisions, including one restoring $95 million in ratepayer money raided to close budget gaps in prior years.
“This veto by the governor is penny-wise and pound-foolish,” said Environment Connecticut Program Director Christopher Phelps. “The governor has said she supports restoring these funds. Unfortunately, when given the chance, she chose to continue the raid on the energy conservation and load management funds.”
The Energy Conservation and Load Management fund along with the Renewable Energy Investment fund come from small charges on electric bills. The funds are used primarily to invest in energy efficiency and conservation programs that reduce energy demand and save consumers money. For every dollar invested in the efficiency programs supported by the fund, ratepayers get four dollars worth of energy savings.
Legislators and Governor Rell have previously pledged to restore the funds raided by former Governor Rowland and the legislature to close a budget gap in 2003. However, they failed to do so over the last two years. This year, legislators included restoration of the funds within the omnibus energy bill.
“Not one legislator questioned inclusion of the provision restoring the ratepayer funds within the energy bill. In fact, these provisions were supported by all legislators as well as the governor herself,” said Phelps. “Unfortunately, it looks as if the ratepayer energy efficiency and clean energy funds fell victim to the politics of the ongoing budget debate. We urge the legislature to quickly act to overturn the governor’s veto.”
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