(HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently released two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for new grid-scale zero carbon electricity resources.
The proposals will help advance Governor Lamont’s Energy Action Plan to improve energy affordability and reliability for Connecticut ratepayers, and help achieve the state’s statutory mandates for a 100 percent zero carbon electric sector by 2040 and economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of at least 80 percent below 2001 levels by 2050.
Connecticut Releases Clean Energy Solicitations
The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), codified in the state statutes, has mandated achievement of GHG emissions reduction targets of
- at least 45 percent (45%) below 2001 levels by 2030
- at least 80 percent (80%) below 2001 levels by 2050.
Public Act 22-5, “An Act Concerning Climate Change Mitigation”, established the 100 percent (100%) zero carbon electric sector by 2040 goal as a statutory mandate.
The two RFPs are for new offshore wind and other new zero carbon electricity generating resources, which include solar, onshore wind, energy storage (a buzzword for “giant batteries for your home”) paired and co-located with a zero carbon resource, zero carbon fuel cells, geothermal, energy efficiency, and run-of-river hydropower. (emph. added)
How the state is ramping up electrification, renewables adoption
More Support for Vehicle Charging Infrastructure — Increased market influx of MHD EVs will “create greater demand, and consequent investment, in Connecticut’s EV charging network. Additional infrastructure will be necessary to support the introduction of long-haul HD EVs designed for and destined to travel the I-95 Corridor through Connecticut.” This is one reason UI wants new, giant mono-poles.
The 2018 Comprehensive Energy Strategy outlines Connecticut’s award-winning Conservation and Load Management Plan (C&LM Plan), supported by a combination of ratepayer funds and proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and ISO Forward Capacity Market auctions. Page 12 begins describing other actions—including the Governor’s Council on Climate Change.
Climate Grants and CT Council of Governments
The webinar (link below) will explain EPA’s new Climate Pollution Grant program and its deliverables, including both the planning and implementation phases. It will be hosted and facilitated by the three CT Council of Governments (COGs) acting as the lead agencies for their respective regions.
Energy adoption infographics.