Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/480073
www.CtGreenGuide.com Summer 2014 • Connecticut Green Guide 11 to leverage private dollars using public funds. So, in an off-year without major legislation, a lot of little concepts oc- cupied more time, like how the yellow pages are delivered and Duff's pet project to allow slow-moving neighborhood vehicles to cross public roads. "This year has been the death by a thousand cuts because everyone had a lot of little priorities," Duff said. The most significant bill this year was reigning in some of the practices of competitive electricity suppliers, who offer businesses and residents alternatives to utility default generation rates. The new measures first proposed by the legislature and then picked up by Malloy included let- ting consumers know how much they are paying compared to utility rates, locking in low introductory rates for three months, and making it easier for customers to switch back to the utilities. "That bill will be the one that people will remember," said State Rep. Lon- nie Reed (D-Branford), co-chair of the energy committee. The shared solar concept allows renters and owners of property not con- ducive to renewable energy development to still reap the benefits. Anyone can invest in a nearby solar array and receive a partial utility bill credit the same as if the system was installed on their own property. The concept will start off as a pilot program in select towns because going statewide. "It is really a testament to how successful the renewable program has been that more people want to sign up for solar," Reed said. A new solar bill makes it easier for residents to invest in the technology, even if their home isn't suitable for an array. Photo | hbJ File By the Numbers 644,449 Connecticut ratepayers using an alternative supplier for electricity in March, down 4 percent from February and 17 percent from March 2013. High rates sent consumers fleeing to default utility standard service. $5.1B Amount spent by New England ratepayers on electricity in December, January, and February, nearly equal to the $5.2 billion spent in all of 2012, due to limited natural gas supply. 16% Job growth in Connecticut construction since bottoming out in March 2010, leading all industries. $68.4M Total invested by Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development in brownfields from 2001 to 2014. 21% Drop in greenhouse gas emissions from New England power plants from 2001 to 2012, due to the increased use of natural gas and emissions controls. $4.5M Penalty paid by health products manufacturer Unilever for violating the Clean Water Act at its Clinton facility in 2008, where workers bypassed the industrial wastewater treatment process. SOURCES: PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORy AUTHORITy, ISO NEW ENGLAND, CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, CONNECTICUT OPEN DATA PORTAL, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCy CyBeRSeCuRiTy — In response to various reports and threats regarding the protection of the electric grid and energy supply systems, Connecticut regulators develop a cybersecurity plan. While the first in the nation to work with the utilities to draft such a strategy, the plan could use more fleshing out. SHaRed SOLaR — the Connecticut General Assembly moved on legislation that lets renters and property owners benefit from solar arrays without installing the systems on their houses and land. The bill allows anyone to invest in a nearby solar system and receive a credit on their utility bill. grade: a grade: B