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Connecticut Lawmakers Raid Green Energy Fund, Again

Claudio Schwarz
/
Creative Commons

Connecticut diverted $88 million raised from a surcharge on consumer electric bills into the state’s general fund this week. 

That’s according to energy conservation advocates.

Roger Reynolds, with Connecticut Fund for the Environment, says it’s the second raid of funds authorized by the bipartisan state budget passed by lawmakers two years ago.

“When the legislature was looking for money to close the deficit they basically reached into these funds inappropriately, and took them for a purpose they were never intended for. And in our view they were contractually obligated for the purposes of energy efficiency and clean energy.”

Reynolds says he’s happy that the new state budget signed by Governor Ned Lamont keeps the money in the energy fund.

Clean energy and energy efficiency programs help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving consumers money.

As WSHU Public Radio’s award-winning senior political reporter, Ebong Udoma draws on his extensive tenure to delve deep into state politics during a major election year.