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natural gas distribution system. A lot of these initiatives won't require legislative action next year, Duff said, but legislators will act if any issues need clearing up to keep the projects moving forward. It is imperative the state con- tinue to focus on bringing more energy infrastructure online in New England, to ease the cost of heating and electricity in the region, Duff said. Northeast Utilities' partner- ship with Houston-based Spectra Energy on a $3 billion natural gas pipeline expansion is a strong step in that direction. "It is going to be important to work with the governor's office and other states on our energy infra- structure," Duff said. In the 2014 legislative session, the concept of shared solar was kicked around where renters and other nearby property owners could invest in nearby solar arrays and reap the benefits on their utility bills. The idea seemed ripe for pas- sage, but it was derailed at the last minute in the session. The topic will be revisited again in the 2015 legislative session, Duff said. "It depends on the advocates who were in favor of it who negoti- ated poorly last time," Duff said. By the Numbers Three Companies that have owned the South Windsor fuel cell manufacturing facility since February 2013, after South Korea's Doosan paid $32.4 million at auction from ClearEdge Power, which has bought it from United Technologies. 250,000 tons Production capacity of wood pellet firm Northeast Wood Products, the latest venture by the mohegan Tribe. $21.7M Amount paid by Chinese solar installer Zhenfa Energy for 51 percent of Enfield solar parts manufacturer STR holdings. 108 State parks in Connecticut, once the state finishes converting a 32-acre shoreline property in Waterford. 0.93 outages per Connecticut Light & Power customers in 2013, the utility's lowest number since it started keeping track in 1996. Sept. 25, 2014 Date Airbus conducted the maiden flight of the A320neo with a Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engine, designed to increase fuel efficiency and decrease noise. SoURCES: DooSAN, mohEGAN TRIBE, U.S. SECURITIES & ExChANGE CommISSIoN, DEPARTmENT oF ENERGY & ENvIRoNmENTAL PRoTECTIoN, PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULAToRY AUThoRITY, PRATT & WhITNEY Wind Decision — The Connecticut Supreme Court's ruling allowing a West hartford firm to build a wind farm in the Northwest section of the state — coupled with the legislature's lifting of a ban on turbine construction — helps remove the stigma that Connecticut is anti-wind. These things should never have happened to begin with, but the recent devel- opments are positive steps. Microgrids — The Department of En- ergy & Environmental Protection awarded another $5.1 million in microgrid money for Bridgeport and milford to develop power systems that can isolate themselves from the main grid in the event of an outage, on top of the $18 million awarded to other projects last year. Despite the lower amount, it's important to keep this program moving forward. Grade: A- Grade: C+ www.CTGreenGuide.com Fall 2014 • Connecticut Green Guide 11 Expansion of energy infrastructure and supporting sustainability programs will be the focus of Connecticut's legislature. PhoTos | hbJ File