Energy and Technology Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-882
AN ACT CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND HOME ENERGY
Title: AFFORDABILITY.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: JOINT FAVORABLE Substitute
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:
Rep. Bobby G. Gibson, 15th Dist.
Rep. Josh Elliott, 88th Dist.
Rep. David Michel, 146th Dist.
Rep. Geraldo C. Reyes, 75th Dist.
Rep. Joshua M. Hall, 7th Dist.
Rep. Travis Simms, 140th Dist.
Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky, 85th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill aims to achieve a zero-carbon electric supply by the year 2040
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
John Blair, Associate Counsel at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association has
the following concerns with SB 882:
Section 1 and 2 of this bill proposes to reduce the level of emissions of greenhouse
gas for electricity supplied to electric customers to zero percent by January 1, 2040
o CBIA recommends the zero greenhouse gas goal of January 1, 2040 should be
changed to goal rather than mandate
o We also believe that it would be advisable to add more specificity to the
greenhouse gas reduction goals by sectors, for example, goals for energy and
transportation sectors specifically spelled out.
SB 882 leaves some questions unanswered as to how we achieve such a mandate.
The proposal does not appear to contemplate greenhouse gases associated with the
generation of electricity to power electric vehicles. The bill does not appear to take into
 account the emittance of greenhouse gas in the manufacturing of electric vehicles or
the disposal of their batteries
The bill does not outline how this mandate would be enforced. It would be beneficial to
know what ultimately will occur if the State cannot achieve this mandate.
Katie Dykes, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection supports SB 882 because of the immediate need to stop the acceleration of
climate change and its impacts on the residents and businesses of Connecticut, and to
provide transparency to customers regarding the energy costs they can expect to pay before
they commit to a new home
Marissa P. Gillett, Chairman (PURA) requests the following BOLDED changes to SB 882:
(2) The authority shall review such contract dispute brought pursuant to subdivision (1)
of this subsection. The authority [shall] may decide any such contract dispute by
issuing a declaratory ruling or a final decision in a contested case proceeding, and
may order legal and equitable remedies. Any party to the contract shall have the right
to appeal to the Superior Court from any such declaratory ruling or final decision
issued pursuant to this section.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermudez of the Court of Common Council supports SB 882
with the following amendments to Section 1:
Require all supply AND generation to be 100% zero-carbon by 2040
Develop an aggressive final target for greenhouse gas emissions of net zero by 2050
Establish a moratorium on new fossil fuel plants
Clarify DEEP Commissioner oversight role, including checks and balances and
oversight by a Diverse board of community representatives
Ensure the state of CT is inclusive of communities of color and LMI communities in
planning and budgeting processes, by appointing members of the community to
oversight roles.
The Connecticut Green Bank supports SB 882, in particular Section 1 that codifies a zero
emissions electric sector for the state by the year 2040
Richard E. Sobolewski, Acting Consumer Counsel generally supports the bill and is in
favor of meeting the States 2040 climate-change goals outlined in Section 1 in the most
efficient and cost-effective manner possible.
OCC has no proposed changes to Section 2 of the Raised Bill. Regarding Sections 3 and 4 of
the Raised Bill, OCC believes that providing prospective renters and homeowners with 2 the
important consumer protection information from a Home Energy Label is an important step in
raising consumer education of energy efficiency measures and programs that can assist with
steps to make a home more energy efficient
Mike Urgo, First Selectman of North Stonington, CT supports SB 882 because it supports
the goal of carbon neutrality while giving prospective buyers the knowledge they need to
make informed decisions
Page 2 of 3 SB-882
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Reported by: Jason Snukis Date: April 5, 2021
Page 3 of 3 SB-882