In a recent bill proposal 979, Governor Ned Lamont appears to intend to label Connecticut homes according to “energy efficiency” as per the standard labels currently found on certain products in the United States— namely electronics and appliances, seen here:
The bill contains language –
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section,
“Connecticut home energy label” or “label” means a label developed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection that provides a score regarding a residence’s energy efficiency and is consistent with all nationally recognized ratings, including the US Dept of Energy Home Energy score, the Home Energy Rating System Index score and the Energy Star score.
In developing the Connecticut home energy label, the commissioner shall consider factors, including, but not limited to,
(A) the cost effectiveness of the labeling process, (B) the ability of a
residence’s owner to conduct the labeling process and generate a label for the residence without outside or professional assistance, (C) the clarity of the information the label provides regarding the residence’s estimated energy efficiency, (D) the standardization of the label, (E) the ability of the label to integrate information generated by existing nationally recognized ratings, and (F) the accuracy and reliability of the label.
In developing the label, the commissioner shall provide an
opportunity for public comment (italics added). Public comment will not affect the label’s existence, but its form.
Further — “(c) (1) Any landlord, upon (A) listing any dwelling unit for rent
through a multiple listing service, real estate brokers’ organization or other service, organization or facility related to the business of selling or renting dwelling units, including private listing services, or (B) offering any dwelling unit for rent through a means other than those specified in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision,
shall provide a Connecticut home energy label, with an electronic link to the Internet web site that contains the report for such Connecticut home energy label for the dwelling unit, to any prospective tenant at the tenant’s request or prior to the tenant’s signing of a lease for the dwelling unit.
For dwelling units listed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, the landlord shall provide the Connecticut home energy label and electronic link through the service, organization or facility through which the landlord lists the dwelling unit.”
With home energy labels being collectively decided, Hartford officials have further committed the state to meeting ambitious so-called “climate goals.” Hartford co-sponsors Palm and Michel already believe that DEEP should adopt policies that “recognize that environmental injustice is a racial justice issue” — that lowering the earth’s temperature is an urgent matter.