Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/515487
8 CONNECTICUT GREEN GUIDE • SUMMER 2015 www.CTGreenGuide.com be used to help landlords of multi-unit buildings install renewable energy, Becker was unable to sell his tenants the fuel cell power because the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority was finalizing the details of the new law. Slow - ing the process were UI and Berlin electric utility Ever- source Energy, who didn't necessarily oppose submetering but wanted to make sure their interests were protected. On April 15, PURA issued its draft decision allowing landlords to use submetering to pay for renewable en- ergy installations. Becker, though, was less than pleased. "The good news is that there is a decision," Becker said. "The main issue, though, is that it is so complicated when the measure the legislature passed was so simple." Becker's main issue has to do with pricing. While the state law called for landlords charging their tenants a similar amount to what utilities charge their customers, PURA came up with a more complex formula that can vary. That formula sets the max a landlord can charge at the utility rate minus certain public policy charges. "The more energy you use, the lower the rates are, which is contradictive if you are trying to promote con- versation," Becker said. The PURA draft decision also requires landlords to make payments to the utilities to cover issues like con- gestion and state-run programs for renewable energy subsidies and energy efficiency programs. For the energy programs, PURA's reasoning is be- cause the tenants are state residents, they benefit from these programs like all state residents do. Becker, though, said because tenants are not eligible to take advantage of these programs for energy efficiency up- grades or renewable installations, they are essentially being taxed without receiving the benefits. UI applauded the draft decision while Eversource agreed with the terms as well, only asking for clarifica- tion on how much landlords have to pay utilities for the energy programs. The Department of Energy & Environmental Protec- tion praised PURA's reasoning as well, calling it a fair compromise in promoting renewable energy installa- tions while ensuring all residents pay for public policy programs. DEEP, along with Malloy, initially developed the submetering plan, to make tenants directly respon- sible for their energy use and to pay for solar, wind, and fuel cell systems. "If the final decision reflects the contents of the draft document, Connecticut will have an approach toward submeterng that encourages the use of renewables and distributed generation, promotes energy efficient, pro- tects consumer rights, and ensures the overall reliability of the grid system," DEEP spokesman Dennis Schain said. Becker asked for several changes to the draft decision, in the hopes that the final decision will make submetering simpler. PURA was expected to render its final decision on May 6 (after Connecticut Green Guide went to press). Ultimately, though, Becker said he is pleased he can finally use his fuel cell at its full strength. He purchased a second one for his 777 Main St. apartment complex in Hartford that was installed in January. The second fuel cell came from South Windsor-based Doosan Fuel Cell, which took over the facility originally run by UTC Power. The manufacturer actually has changed hands twice since Becker originally bought his fuel cell for 360 State St., as now bankrupt Oregon-based ClearEdge Power took over in 2013 before Doosan came in last year. "So far, half of the fuel cell's life has passed without it doing what it was set up to do," Becker said. News Cycle Fairfield developer Bruce Becker has fought to use his New Haven fuel cell at its full strength for half a decade. PHOTO | HBJ FILE