Introduction
Nationally in recent years, Connecticut ranked in the bottom half of all states with respect to the quantity of energy used, but third in terms of the price paid per unit of energy. In terms of total expenditures, in 1999 Connecticut nearly matched the median, with an outlay of $7 billion. State government expenditures for energy for state fiscal year 1999-2000 totaled almost $100 million.
In 2001, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee undertook two reviews of energy-related issues. Early in the year, the committee authorized a study of energy management by state government. Of particular interest was the effectiveness of the state's efforts to manage demand for energy, use alternative and renewable sources of fuel, and procure energy supplies efficiently.
In August, the committee voted to temporarily set aside that management study to look at the broader question of energy supply and demand in Connecticut. About the same time, the legislature's Energy and Technology Committee was preparing to convene a working group to deal with issues related to implementation of the 1998 electric restructuring act. In recognition of that concurrent effort, the program review committee specified it would defer recommendations related to electric restructuring to the energy committee.
The key focus of the program review committee's study of energy availability was on identifying the factors that affect the supply of and demand for energy in Connecticut and examining the opportunities the legislature has to influence those factors. The study also looked at other public and private parties whose actions might affect the quantity and price of the energy available within the state. The role of energy conservation and the existence of alternative fuels also were considered.
In December 2001, program review staff prepared a briefing document containing an overview of energy usage in Connecticut and a detailed discussion of the factors that influence the supply of and demand for energy. A public hearing was held on January 23, 2002, to obtain comments on the identified factors and suggestions for future governmental actions.
In February 2002, the program review committee adopted recommendations that focus on efforts to enhance energy conservation, including actions to curtail consumption as well as increase the use of more efficient equipment. The committee's key recommendation calls for state government to serve as a model energy consumer. Past and present efforts by state agencies to manage energy consumption will be examined further as the committee resumes its original energy study. If warranted, additional recommendations related to this goal may be proposed.
Report Format
The report contains two chapters. The first provides answers to a series of questions regarding the type, amount, and cost of energy in Connecticut. It also identifies the many entities involved with energy and discusses more than a dozen issues expected to affect future energy supplies and demand. The second chapter describes some of the steps the Connecticut General Assembly has already taken to describe and implement energy-related goals and presents the program review committee's recommendations for future action. Appendices summarize the sources of energy in Connecticut, the key energy-related governmental entities in the state, and the characteristics of distributed generation being retained for self use within the state.