Groups turn up the heat on efforts to block Connecticut lawmakers’ energy fund raids

Gov. Ned Lamont Gov. Ned Lamont Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Groups turn up the heat on efforts to block Connecticut lawmakers’ energy fund raids 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Efforts to stop continuing raids on funds designated for renewable energy and efficiency programs by Connecticut lawmakers in order to balance the state’s budget are continuing to gain momentum.

Opponents of the Energy Efficiency Fund raids presented petitions from more than 2,000 Connecticut residents in 116 towns to representatives of Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration and to leaders in both chambers of the state legislature Friday. A coalition of community and environmental conservation organizations rallied in Hartford Friday to halt the latest raid of the fund, scheduled for next month.

At that time, $54 million is scheduled to be diverted from the fund to balance the state’s budget, a move that opponents say will put approximately 6,800 Connecticut renewable energy and efficiency jobs at risk. An initial $54 million was taken from the fund last summer, a move that prompted legal action to block further raids and recover that money.

“Connecticut has spoken, and we want to stop this diversion to not only save ratepayers money, but also ensure our state is being efficient with our energy usage while creating good-paying, local jobs,” Lori Brown, executive director of Connecticut League of Conservation Voters said in a statement Friday. “Governor Lamont and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for an end to the raids, and they have the power to stop it.”

Chris Lenda, chief executive officer of Branford-based Aegis Solar, said Lamont and state lawmakers have given “lip service to support for renewable energy.”

“It hasn’t translated into concrete policy or action by them,” Lenda said. “And that makes it almost impossible for companies like mine to look forward and build a business. It creates a great deal of uncertainty and unrest.”

The actions of lawmakers and the Lamont administration, he said, have trickled down to his 15-person workforce.

“It’s difficult to build a business when your employees are uneasy,” Lenda said. “I’ve had several employees leave for jobs in states where there are thriving solar markets.”

In addition to the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, other environmental groups backing the effort to put an end to the fund raids include Clean Water Action and Connecticut Fund for the Environment. The effort also has the political support of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican and Progressive caucuses.

State Rep. Geraldo Reyes, D-Waterbury, a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, said keeping the energy efficiency money in place for its intended uses is critical.

“Environmental justice and enforcement is a quality of life issue for my constituents,” he said in a statement.

State Rep. David Michel, D-Stamford, said using the energy funds for what they were intended for will “replace the use of fossil fuels, create hundreds to thousands of jobs, and offer a better price to the rate payers.”

“This is the future, where our labor unions can work in unison with our environmentalists,” Michel said in a statement.

Calls to Republican and Democratic leaders in the legislature about the energy fund raids were not returned Friday. A spokesman for Lamont was not immediately available for comment on the raids.

The push to sway legislators comes about two months after attorneys for ratepayers, efficiency and clean energy businesses, and environmental organizations filed an appeal seeking to overturn a U.S. District Court decision regarding the fund raids. The U.S. District Court ruling, which sought to stop state officials from making further raids of the fund and restore money already taken, came down in favor of lawmakers’ right to take the energy efficiency funding for other uses.

An appeal of the lower court decision was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York in March .

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com