The Federal Case to Stop the Raid of Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Funds
Several efficiency and clean energy businesses, ratepayer organizations, and Connecticut Fund for the Environment have filed a federal lawsuit to block the legislative raid of Connecticut’s clean energy and energy efficiency program funds and to prevent future raids of the funds.
"Last year the State of Connecticut decided to take $155 million in funds paid by residents on their electric bills for specific energy efficiency and clean energy services for ratepayers, and used it to plug an unrelated budget hole. We believe the state's action is illegal and unconstitutional and are demanding these funds be protected and used for their intended contractual purpose: energy efficiency and clean energy projects that reduce home energy bills, generate economic activity, and reduce air pollution,” said Roger Reynolds, chief legal director at Connecticut Fund for the Environment.
On May 15, 2018, a coalition of ratepayers, environmental organizations, home performance contractors, solar installers, and other groups concerned with energy equity for low-income households filed a federal lawsuit to block the Connecticut legislature’s raid of $145 million of ratepayer funds specifically designated for energy efficiency and clean energy projects. These projects reduce energy bills for households and businesses while decreasing pollution. Diverting this funding to the state general fund is an interference with the agreement between ratepayers and utilities in violation of the U.S. Constitution Contracts Clause. The lawsuit therefore seeks to stop the transfer and restore the funds to their legally intended purposes.
Read more about the background of this case, and the most recent development.