DeStefano Unveils New Energy Plan

May 12, 2006
New Haven: John DeStefano - Democratic candidate for governor - unveiled his energy plan Thursday morning at a gas station in Hartford, promising to lower energy costs, take-on big oil, develop new technologies, create jobs and secure Connecticut's energy future. "It's time for leadership on this important issue," said DeStefano. "Soaring energy costs are an increasing burden to our families and businesses but incredibly Gov. Rell has no strategy to deal with this."

Connecticut is facing an energy crisis of unparalleled magnitude. Costs have soared due to huge increases in the prices of oil and natural gas driven by international and domestic developments and made worse by misguided national energy policies. Connecticut's position has also worsened due to ill-conceived policies at the state level. These costs have hurt businesses and consumers and have undermined our competitive position.

Electric rates for Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P), which is responsible for 75 percent of Connecticut's electric demand, have soared by more than 70 percent since 2000. CL&P's average electric rate on April 1, 2006, was higher than the average electric rate in the every state in the continental United States. CL&P's base rates rose by 17 percent in January and another 5 percent in April. They could rise by another 10 percent by the end of the year.

"Governors Rowland and Rell have failed to control energy prices," said DeStefano. "Even worse, they've followed the failed policies of President George W. Bush by slashing funding for the development of clean, renewable energy technologies and for energy conservation. My plan calls for bold action that will make Connecticut a national leader in alternative energy and provide real relief for our families."

Details of the plan are described below:
Reduce the burden of energy costs to consumers:

Provide $300 million in energy rebates to Connecticut ratepayers by 2007.

Save $1.8 billion by implementing an aggressive energy efficiency plan by 2012.

Create a $3 million revolving loan fund to provide no-interest loans to businesses to upgrade to energy efficient equipment and support clean energy generation.

Empower citizens ? remove limits on net-metering, allowing citizens to produce as much clean energy as they want, and add voting seats to DPUC for citizens and businesses.

Preserve and protect our environment:

Halt plans to build a liquefied gas terminal in Long Island Sound and prevent additional cables and pipelines from being buried until environmental impact studies are done.

Reduce carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions by 3.5 million tons

Support ethanol use to reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 30 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 35 to 46 percent, and particulate emissions by 50 percent.

Allow motorists who drive hybrid and ?flex-fuel? vehicles that get 40 miles per gallon to use High Occupancy Vehicles lanes.

Urge the Connecticut state pension fund to support shareholder resolutions on environmental disclosure and global warming.

Invest in clean energy and energy efficiency:

Restore the Rowland-Rell budget cuts for the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, and expand funding to $100 million for state clean energy and energy efficiency programs.

Invest $50 million from the Connecticut pension fund to support high-performance energy projects with strong returns.

Create new energy efficiency standards for appliances that will save Connecticut consumers $57 million.

Make Connecticut a national leader in energy technology:

Commit $200 million to support a new energy science center at the University of Connecticut that will partner with the Institute of Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University to attract world-class faculty and train a new generation of energy specialists in Connecticut.

Provide $25 million in federal matching funds to clean energy projects, creating an incentive for federal investment in Connecticut energy projects.

Create new jobs in Connecticut from energy projects:

Create 75,000 over the next ten years by making Connecticut the national energy leader.

Website Vooweb.com provides the biggest collection of professional Web 2.0 Templates. Web 2.0 Templates - its a website templates which made by world-class designers. Buy our Web 2.0 Templates | A family cooking recipes with hundreds of healthy, whole-food cooking recipes for the home cook. Healthy Food cooking Recipes For Your Entire Family

The Bottom Line
Grand Total in Consumer Savings - $2.157 Billion
Grand Total in New Technology Investments - $1.75 Million
Grand Total in New Jobs Created- 75,800 jobs
Grand Total in Electric Load Savings -1,040 megawatts