Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1504032
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JULY 24, 2023 13 ates enough electricity to power about 80 homes, he said. "How am I supposed to run and operate and maintain this thing for only $11,000?" Broatch said. "Your liability insurance policy alone costs $5,000. So, this is a real problem." Other New England states have programs that offer equitable energy rates for the purchase of hydro- power. Those rates often match the retail rate charged by utilities, Broatch explained. Because Connecticut doesn't offer such a program, hydroelec- tric producers receive ISO-New England's wholesale rate, which aver- ages about 3 cents per kWh. The low rates, on top of costly requirements, have created an economic crisis for the industry, Broatch said. He has been imploring the legislature to establish purchase rates in the range of 12 to 24 cents per kWh. But two bills that would have mandated those higher rates died in committee during the recent legislative session. Studying the issue The state legislature this year did pass a bill signed by Lamont that will establish a task force to study and review the benefits of the state's hydropower assets. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection offered support for the bill, saying "hydro- power resources provide valuable support to the state's energy needs and goals." Broatch opposed the legislation, urging the legislature to instead take action by setting higher rates for hydroelectricity. He has support from state Rep. Tim Ackert (R-Coventry), a member of the Energy and Tech- nology Committee, who proposed a bill during the 2023 legislative session that would have required electricity distribution companies to pay a monthly tariff for every kilo- watt-hour of electricity received from hydropower facilities. The tariffs would be paid directly to the operators of those facilities. However, the bill died in committee. Ackert said local hydropower production will help the state lower its emissions, noting that hydroelec- tric generators are consistent and predictable compared to other energy sources, like solar, which depends on sunlight, and wind. Also, Ackert said hydropower is environmentally friendly because it removes debris from the water. Hydroelectric dams typically employ fish passages that protect populations of migrating fish. FirstLight Power Resources owns one of the state's largest hydroelectric facilities, located along the Housa- tonic River in New Milford, with a 29 MW capacity – enough electricity to power about 18,850 homes. It pumps water into Candlewood Lake, which was created specifically to store water that is used to produce electricity. It releases the stored water to generate electricity during peak hours. But most of the hydropower producers in Connecticut are small operators like Broatch. Without legis- lative action, Broatch said he fears more will shut down. "I really should be decommissioned, but I just can't," Broatch said. "I don't have the heart to do that. So, I'm not doing that right now. I have confidence in our legislative system, and I'm going to keep working with them on getting equitable rates from hydro." The Dayville Pond Hydro Power facility, operated by Summit Hydropower Inc., produces 100 KW of electricity, enough to power about 80 homes. HBJ PHOTO | BILL MORGAN Sources of electricity used in New England (2022) GAS 52% NUCLEAR 26% RENEWABLES* 12% HYDRO 7% OIL 2% COAL 0.31% *Renewables generation includes wind, refuse, wood, solar, landfill gas and methane. Source: ISO-New England ORTHOPEDIC & SPINE HEALTH Targeted Care That Moves You You can count on our expert team to provide individualized treatment options to solve your orthopedic problems - both surgical and non-surgical. We offer the best in sports medicine, joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, spine health, pain management, physiatry and rehabilitation, podiatry, hand and fracture care, and general orthopedics right here in the heart of your community. Take the first step in geing back to what you love. Schedule your appointment today! 833.4BHDOCS | bristolhealth.org/ortho HIP ELBOW FOOT KNEE SPINE Tim Ackert