HB 5508 Summary

• Establishes a Division of Electricity Policy and Procurement within the Public Utilities Control Authority, effective October 1, 2010, with an executive director requiring at least 10 years of experience in electric procurement, conservation, and renewable energy policy.

• Authorizes the division to hire three specialized employees (power procurement, energy efficiency, renewables), contract with consultants, own and operate electric power plants, and provide financial assistance for electric generation facilities.

• Transfers procurement oversight responsibilities from the Department of Public Utility Control to the new division, including approval of electric generation service contracts and requests for proposals.

• Increases the Public Utilities Control Authority from five to seven members and adds the division's executive director to the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board.

• Adds operating expenses and costs of the Division of Electricity Policy and Procurement to the systems benefits charge funded by electric distribution company customers, and transfers Office of Policy and Management employees whose primary duties involve electricity policies to the new division.