Substitute Senate Bill No. 4, also known as Public Act No. 25-173, aims to improve energy affordability, access, and accountability in Connecticut by authorizing the State Bond Commission to issue bonds totaling up to $125 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund hardship protection measures related to energy costs. Additionally, the bill allows for the issuance of bonds for electric vehicle charging programs, with caps on expenses for customer wiring upgrades and charging stations set at $20 million per year. Significant amendments include the repeal and replacement of section 16-244dd, which empowers the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to select entities for renewable energy programs and mandates a review of winter shutoff protections for medically vulnerable customers by July 1, 2025. The bill also modifies existing laws to enhance protections for customers with serious illnesses, requiring electric and gas companies to demonstrate good faith efforts to secure payment before service termination and to provide adequate notice prior to disconnection.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions for shared clean energy facilities, mandating that a minimum percentage of capacity be allocated to low-income customers and establishing guidelines for electric distribution companies regarding renewable energy procurement and tariffs. It also emphasizes the importance of customer education on time-varying rates and mandates the establishment of a pilot program for electric and gas demand response initiatives. The bill includes various amendments to enhance the regulatory framework for electric distribution companies, including provisions for the management of stranded costs, the issuance of rate reduction bonds, and the establishment of a task force focused on consumer protection in solar photovoltaic systems. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote clean energy development, improve customer protections, and ensure equitable access to energy resources in Connecticut.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 16-32e, 16-32l, 16-32m
ET Joint Favorable Substitute: 16-32e, 16-32l, 16-32m
File No. 325: 16-32e, 16-32l, 16-32m
FIN Joint Favorable: 16-32e, 16-32l, 16-32m
APP Joint Favorable: 16-32e, 16-32l, 16-32m
Public Act No. 25-173: 16-244dd, 16-262d, 16-244z, 16-245e, 16-245g, 16-245i, 16-243n, 16-32e, 16-32l, 16-32m, 16-244m, 16-245a, 16-2, 16-2a, 16-6b