SB 00001 - Connecticut's Energy Future

• Establishes a new Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (effective July 1, 2011) by merging the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Public Utility Control, with a Commissioner appointed by the Governor and oversight through a Public Utilities Control Authority within the department.

• Creates energy policy goals to reduce ratepayer costs, ensure reliable energy supply, increase clean energy use, and develop the state's energy economy through three internal bureaus (Energy, Environmental Protection, and Public Utility Control) and an Office of the Ombudsman.

• Implements renewable energy programs including residential solar incentives (minimum 30 megawatts by 2022), solar renewable energy credit procurement by electric distribution companies (4.35 million credits), and feed-in tariffs for wind, fuel cells, biomass, and geothermal energy.

• Restructures electricity procurement and standard service with a new procurement officer overseeing a competitive bidding process for generation contracts, establishes low-income discounted rates, and implements sustainable energy financing programs for municipalities.

• Expands energy efficiency programs including combined heat and power projects, fuel oil/natural gas boiler replacements, conservation funding, and virtual net metering pilots, while requiring state agencies to reduce energy use by 10 percent.