Housing Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-356
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFIT GRANT
Title: PROGRAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
Vote Date: 3/9/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/4/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Sen. Lopes, 6th District
Rep. Gresko, 121st District
Rep. Michel 146th District
REASONS FOR BILL:
Energy efficiency remains a large issue within the state: nearly one third of all emissions
come from housing and commercial buildings. The state has faced rising temperatures in
recent years, increasing the need for more energy efficient means to heat, cool, and power
buildings. Residents within the state also face high energy costs, making housing more
expensive. This bill seeks to address these concerns by creating a housing energy retrofit
program funded by building permit fees.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Stated.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Henry Auer, PhD, Connecticut Energy Network- SUPPORTS stating the bill advances
environmental justice. The state has 1.4 million occupied housing units, but much of this
stock is outdated and decades old. Currently, 18% of the state's emissions are from housing,
and 14% come from commercial and industrial emissions. This bill works towards the
emissions goals set by the Governor, as well as bring Connecticut in line with many other
states who have already acted to retrofit their housing stock.
Emily Alexander, Climate Policy Advocate for the Connecticut League of Conservation
Voters- SUPPORTS stating that the bill is a positive step towards 100% zero-carbon
electric by 2040 in the state. The bill also prioritizes environmental justice, as well as invests
in the state's energy efficiency workforce.
Nicole Burger, Technical Consultant for MaGrann Associates- SUPPORTS stating that
housing is a core basic need. In the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is important to
understand the intersection of health, housing, and energy policy. This bill seeks to address
these concerns.
Ross Spiegel, Chair of CT Green Building Council- SUPPORTS stating that Connecticut's
low to moderate income housing stock is outdated and inefficient. The state has one of the
highest rates of energy poverty in the country, and this bill addresses the inequality found in
the current housing stock.
Samantha Dunham, State Director of the Sierra Club of Connecticut- SUPPORTS stating
that 6 of the past hottest years on record in the state have been since 2005. This bill not only
addresses climate, but the health of residents.
The following SUPPORT SB 356, stating that the bill improves health outcomes, increases
energy efficiency, and boosts the economy by creating jobs focused on renewable energy
and sustainable housing:
Amy Ewing
Kenny Foscue
Michel Kvedar, State Affairs Coordinator of UConn's Undergraduate Government, Co-
Director of the Sunrises Movement CT
Nicolas Pacella, Architect- SUPPORTS stating that this bill presents health and savings
benefits. Asbestos containing materials are still not fully banned, and current tube wiring is
still commonplace in some buildings- these present significant barriers to retrofitting
properties within the state. He believes that the bill should prioritize "detection, mitigation, and
removal of these products."
Kyle Wallace, Senior Manager of Public Policy at Sunrun Inc.- SUPPORTS stating the
energy burden that many renters face is not affordable, this bill seeks to address these
concerns.
The following SUPPORT SB 356, stating that the bill develops a comprehensive health-
based approach to retrofitting existing housing stock, leading to greater health and energy
efficiency outcomes for residents, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also gives
greater support to low and middle-income residents of the state, increasing access to energy
efficient options:
Michael Harris, CHEER Middletown
Jennifer G. Kleindienst, Chair of CHEER Middletown
Page 2 of 5 SB-356
Dr. Brian Amos
Kevin Banach
Brian Barlow
Steve Bayley
Diana Blair
Lynne Bonnett
Laura Bozzi, PhD, Director of Programs at the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health
Laura Cahn Chair of the New Haven Environmental Advisory Council
Dr. Adrian Charbin
Leticia Colon de Meijias, Policy Co-Chair for Efficiency for All
Ella Copeland
David Degling
Kimber Degling
Killian Dunham
E4 the Future
Terri Eickel, Chair of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network
Joseph Barnes, Secretary, IREJN
Lynn Johnson, Board Member, IREJN
Marc Naigles, Treasurer, IREJN
Leticia Naigles, Board Member, IREJN
Richard Walser, Board Member, IREJN
Michael Winterfield, Board Member, IREJN
Millie Legenhausen, Member, IREJN
Bishop Ian Douglas, Episcopal Church of CT
Page 3 of 5 SB-356
Bishop Laura Ahrens, Episcopal Church of CT
Rev. Virginia Army, St. Johns Episcopal Church, Vernon, CT
Rev. Thomas Carr, American Baptist Churches of the USA, Windsor, CT
Lynn Fulkerson, Co-Founder, IREJN, Church of Christ Congregational, Goshen, CT
Rev Sara Krlha, Church of Christ Congregational, Goshen, CT
Rev. Sue Latourette, Congregational Church of North Stonington, CT
Rev. Chris Solimene, Avon Congregational Church, Avon CT
Melinda Tuhus, Unitarian Society of New Haven, Hamden, CT
Rev. Rachel Thomas, Episcopal Clergy, Deep River, CT
Dwayne Escola
Kelly Hall
Alanna Fagan
Aaron Goode
Royal Graves
Bettina Hall
Lois Happe
Sarah Middleer
Diane Keef
Margaret Kilgore
Sandra Kopell
Storm Kutcha
Timon Malloy
Benjamin Martin
Ron Nelson
Tawnie Olson
Page 4 of 5 SB-356
Dwayne David Paul- Director of the Collaborative Center for Justice
Jim Perras, CEO of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut
Laura Peskin
John Picard
Charles Polnitsky
John Sargent
Robb Sauerhoff
Rachel Lea Scott, MSW, Associate Director of the Collaborative Center for Justice
Claire Matthews
Angel Serrano, Organizer for CT Citizen Action Group
S Smith
Patricia Nizlek
Richard Stanley
Melinda Tuhus
Victoria Usher
Normandy Avery
Richard Walser
Brendan Watson, Executive Director of Operation Fuel
Tanya Wiedeking
Mary Woolsey
Dr. Barbara Zahm
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Stated.
Reported by: Gabriel Turco Date: 3/22/21
Page 5 of 5 SB-356


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 29-263
HSG Joint Favorable: 29-263
File No. 142: 29-263
APP Joint Favorable: 29-263