CT SB00332

Repeals and replaces Section 16a-3j of Connecticut general statutes to modify how the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection solicits natural gas resources for electric utilities.

Removes interstate natural gas transportation capacity from the list of allowable natural gas resources in solicitations, effective from the bill's passage date.

Allows solicitations for liquefied natural gas, liquefied natural gas storage, and natural gas storage that provide firm delivery capability to natural gas-fired generating facilities in the regional system operator's control area, with contract terms not exceeding twenty years.

Maintains existing provisions for evaluation criteria including system reliability, cost-benefit analysis, fuel diversity, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and alignment with the state's Integrated Resources Plan and Comprehensive Energy Strategy.

Limits total natural gas capacity procured under all solicitations to 375 million cubic feet per day or equivalent megawatts of electricity and demand reduction, with costs for consultants and procurement activities capped at $1.5 million and recoverable through congestion charges.