Malloy signs clean energy, climate bills

HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Wednesday signed a pair of bills that establish higher greenhouse gas reduction standards, restrict some coastal development and increase the amount of clean energy coming into the state.

“The time to act is now,” Malloy said before signing a package of climate change and energy bills passed earlier this year by the General Assembly.

“The effects of climate change, which is unquestionably manmade, can be felt in Connecticut and poses a threat to our residents,” he said.

The new laws adopt a greenhouse gas emissions target of 45 percent below 2001 levels by 2030 and require that future coastal projects, either undertaken by a state agency or funded by a state or federal grant or loan, take into account a projected sea rise of 2 feet by 2050.

The new laws also mandate that 40 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030 and creates a new flat rate for solar power — a move opponents say is a nod to electric companies.

Under the current net metering pricing system for solar power, homeowners and businesses receive a credit on their electric bill for excess power produced by their system.

Robert Klee, commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said the new laws are designed to combat climate change and create clean energy jobs.

“While the current federal administration continues to deny human-induced climate change as real, it is incumbent upon states to take action,” Klee said. “For the sake of future generations to follow, I encourage other states to look at what we have done as a state and follow our lead.”

Solar pricing

A coalition of environment groups and solar industry representatives said the new solar pricing plan will hurt consumers.

“Everyone deserves the choice to lower their electric bills, especially low-income and middle-class homeowners, who are most likely to lose solar access,” the coalition, which includes the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and Environment Connecticut, said in a statement.

The law “is a major step backward for solar energy in Connecticut (and) jeopardizes hundreds of solar jobs and the ability of residents and businesses to generate and use their own clean power,” the coalition said.

The pricing plan now heads to the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for review and rate setting. Environmental groups have said they plan to urge PURA to either reject the flat rate or set a rate that does not price middle- and low-income consumers out of the solar market.

Claire Coleman, a spokeswoman for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, praised the new laws while expressing concern over changes in how solar power will be priced.

“We share the concerns that sunsetting of solar metering may make solar more challenging and creates a period of uncertainty,” Coleman said. “We look forward to making sure Connecticut continues to offer robust net metering.”

But Coleman said the new laws also mark progress in battling climate change and bringing clean energy to the state.

“This will make Connecticut more accountable and help end our addiction to fossil fuels and plan for sea level rise,” Coleman said.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed, D-Branford, said lawmakers must continue fighting for climate change reforms.

“There are going to be battles to come and we will continue to monitor these programs and work in a regional context,” Reed said.