www.CTGreenGuide.com SUMMER 2015 • Connecticut Green Guide 7
News Cycle
Regulators Finally Approve
Renewable Submetering
By Brad Kane
I
t was five years ago that Fairfield
developer Bruce Becker turned on the
fuel cell at his 360 State St. apartment
complex in New Haven.
In an effort to create the most eco-
friendly housing development in Connect-
icut, Becker had purchased the $2.5 mil-
lion fuel cell from the now defunct UTC
Power, in hopes of using the emissions-
free electricity generated by the installa-
tion to power his entire building.
Now, after roughly half the life of the
fuel cell has passed, Becker will be able to
turn the renewable energy up to full power.
Although a common practice in states
like New York, Becker was unable to charge
the tenants at 360 State St. for their indi-
vidual electricity use because — at the time
of the installation — this concept of sub-
metering multi-unit buildings was illegal
in Connecticut. As a result, Becker could use his fuel cell
at half strength only to power the common areas of his
building, while tenants were left buying electricity from
Orange utility United Illuminating.
Even though the legislature approved submetering in
2013 and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy specifically said it should
ILLUSTRATION
|
MARK
ARMSTRONG
