State needs a clearer vision to deliver energy that will satisfy all parties

Connecticut’s long overdue draft of its energy strategy released this month wasn’t met with a consensus of cheers, with critics saying it falls far short of what is needed.

The Acadia Center, a clean energy advocacy group, said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy doesn’t go far enough and continues to put “crucial climate mitigation at real risk” in the area of solar deployment.

The group also said the strategy doesn’t keep pace with greenhouse gas emissions that have increased over the past five years and puts too much focus on fossil fuels, rather than clean energy alternatives.

“While nationwide, forward-thinking states are looking towards smart, interconnected homes, often powered by rooftop solar, the draft CES recommendations for customer-sited solar are a major step away from that future,” said Kerry Schlichting, policy advocate for the Acadia Center.

The draft report says that for Connecticut to reach its goal of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy, the state’s energy policy must more effectively align with the state’s environmental policies to meet clean air, clean water, land conservation and development and waste reduction goals.

How to deliver energy amid climate change is a subject that is being grappled with across the United States and there doesn’t appear to be any easy answers.

State environmentalists did give DEEP thumbs up for its mandate to increase purchases of energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, to 30 percent by 2030 — but they want more.

Dennis Schain, a spokesman for the DEEP, said the draft report “presents DEEP’s best thinking about how to meet the goal of deploying the maximum amount of clean energy resources to reduce carbon emissions in the most cost-effective manner for ratepayers.”

DEEP has opened a 60day comment period on the draft study, which runs through Sept. 25.

One thing is clear: The state needs a clearer vision to deliver energy that will satisfy all parties.

“While nationwide, forwardthinking states are looking towards smart, interconnected homes, often powered by rooftop solar, the draft CES recommendations for customer-sited solar are a major step away from that future.” — AKerry Schlichting, policy advocate for the Acadia Center