Scope of Study

ENERGY AVAILABILITY IN CONNECTICUT

Energy is used for heating, cooling, lighting, and the operation of equipment and motor vehicles. Sources of energy include fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas; nuclear; and a variety of renewable fuels such as hydro, solar, and wind.

There are five major categories of energy users. The residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors are end-use consumers, while the electric utility sector is a producer of power. Governmental agencies are generally included in the commercial sector, although they may operate residential facilities.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 1997, Connecticut ranked 34^th in the nation in total energy consumption (796 trillion Btu) and 27^th in total energy expenditures ($7.3 billion). It ranked 47^th in energy consumption per capita (243 million Btu) and 20^th in per capita expenditures ($2,218).

Two years later, energy consumption had increased about 2 percent nationally and 5 percent locally. Total energy consumption in Connecticut in 1999 totaled 839 trillion Btu, while per capita consumption rose to 256 million. The state's rankings were 33^rd and 45^th respectively.

Area of Focus

The study will examine the factors that influence the supply of and demand for energy in Connecticut. The study will look at how the actions of public and private parties, including regulators, energy producers, and consumers, affect the quantity and price of the energy available within the state. The study also will consider the effects of energy conservation and the existence of alternative fuels.

Areas of Analysis

(1) Identify energy sources by type of fuel and capacity, including:

• those located within Connecticut
• those located outside the state but accessible to Connecticut
• projects currently underway in the area

(2) Describe the methods used to calculate available energy supplies

(3) Summarize energy consumption patterns in Connecticut by type of fuel and customer

(4) Explain the methods used to estimate demand for energy

(5) Describe the roles of key public and private entities involved in the use of energy in Connecticut, including but not limited to:

• state and federal regulators;
• independent system operators (ISOs);
• utilities;
• non-utility power producers; and
• consumers

(6) Examine factors that affect the demand for energy, including but not limited to:

• economic conditions;
• weather;
• system efficiency;
• conservation efforts; and
• cost

(7) Examine factors that affect the supply of energy, including but not limited to:

• economic conditions;
• weather;
• transmission capability;
• regulatory requirements;
• geographic location; and
• price

(8) Describe pending regulatory changes

(9) Discuss mandated conservation programs

(10) Summarize recent pricing trends and future estimates

(11) Identify legislative options

Areas Not Included in Analysis

Although some discussions of energy include water consumption, this study does not.

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