(a) Not later than September 1, 2021, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall, using available federal or other funds, establish an energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may receive funds from the federal government, corporations, associations or individuals to fund the grant program. Such program shall award grants to fund the installation of energy efficient upgrades to (1) affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a, including, but not limited to, property of a housing authority, as defined in section 8-39, or (2) other dwelling units owned by a landlord, as defined in section 47a-1, at the discretion of the commissioner. Such upgrades shall include energy efficiency and weatherization measures and may include, but need not be limited to, the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, energy storage systems located on the customer's premises, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, heat pumps and balanced ventilation, and the mitigation of health and safety hazards including, but not limited to, gas leaks, mold, vermiculite and asbestos, lead and radon, to the extent such hazards impede the installation of energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization measures.
(b) The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall develop standards for the energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The department may consult with other state agencies, quasi-public agencies and housing authorities, and shall consider the energy performance standards developed pursuant to section 16a-38, in establishing the standards for the grant program. The department may coordinate with other state agencies, quasi-public agencies and housing authorities to implement the grant program in conjunction with other existing state programs that have the purpose of installing or otherwise assisting state residents to obtain the upgrades set forth in subsection (a) of this section. The department may retain consultants with expertise in energy efficiency retrofit programs or distributed energy programs, or both, for assistance with its development or administration of the grant program.
(c) A grant applicant shall submit an application to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection on forms prescribed by the commissioner, which shall include, but not be limited to: (1) A description of the proposed project; (2) an explanation of the expected benefits of the project in relation to the purposes of this section; (3) information concerning the financial and technical capacity of the applicant to undertake the proposed project; (4) a project budget; and (5) any other information deemed necessary by the commissioner. The commissioner shall prioritize grants to applicants who (A) use the services of local contractors who pay the prevailing wage and who make good faith efforts to hire, or cause to be hired, available and qualified minority business enterprises, as defined in section 4a-60g, and (B) upgrade affordable housing or dwelling units for households that include an individual who qualifies for utility financial hardship programs or who receives means-tested assistance administered by the state or federal government.
(d) Not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy and technology and housing. Such report shall include the standards developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, an analysis of the scope of residences able to be served by the grant program and proposed goals for the annual percentage of affordable housing units that can be served by the program.
(P.A. 21-48, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 21-48 effective June 16, 2021.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 16a - Planning and Energy Policy
Chapter 298 - Energy Utilization and Conservation
Section 16a-35k. - Legislative findings and policy.
Section 16a-35m. - Preparation of comprehensive energy plan. Report.
Section 16a-35n. - Policy to reduce energy consumption.
Section 16a-37. - Use of natural gas restricted. Exemptions. Regulations.
Section 16a-37c. - Shared energy savings program. Regulations.
Section 16a-37f. - Light bulbs purchased by budgeted agencies.
Section 16a-37t. - Benchmarking energy and water consumption in state buildings.
Section 16a-37v. - Pilot program for energy performance contract with a private vendor. Reports.
Section 16a-37w. - Program to encourage use of biodiesel in state buildings.
Section 16a-38. - Energy performance standards and life-cycle cost analyses for state buildings.
Section 16a-38b. - Achievement of energy performance standards.
Section 16a-38c. - Program to maximize efficiency of energy use in state buildings.
Section 16a-38d. - Energy conservation projects: Definitions.
Section 16a-38e. - Designation of priority energy projects. Regulations. Criteria. Report.
Section 16a-38f. - Agency decision outlines.
Section 16a-38g. - Decision schedule.
Section 16a-38h. - Buildings leased to state. Energy requirements.
Section 16a-38i. - Reduction of energy use in state buildings.
Section 16a-38j. - Equipment for use in state buildings; criteria established by regulations.
Section 16a-38l. - Management of energy use in state buildings. Strategic plan.
Section 16a-38n. - Clean and distributive generation grant program.
Section 16a-38q. - Eligible photovoltaic contractors under solar photovoltaic rebate program.
Section 16a-39a. - Pilot energy conservation management program.
Section 16a-39b. - Periodic meeting re opportunities for energy savings by the state.
Section 16a-40. - Definitions.
Section 16a-40a. - Energy Conservation Loan Fund.
Section 16a-40c. - State bonds for purposes of the Energy Conservation Loan Fund.
Section 16a-40e. - Green Connecticut Loan Guaranty Fund.
Section 16a-40f. - Green Connecticut Loan Guaranty Fund program.
Section 16a-40g. - Commercial sustainable energy program.
Section 16a-40j. - Bond authorization.
Section 16a-40m. - Residential clean energy on-bill repayment program.
Section 16a-41b. - Low-Income Energy Advisory Board.
Section 16a-41c. - Weatherization assistance.
Section 16a-41i. - Weatherization assistance program.
Section 16a-44c. - Bond authorization.
Section 16a-44d. - Validation of certain actions.
Section 16a-46d. - Commercial building energy conservation service program. Services.
Section 16a-46e. - Rebate program for residential furnace or boiler replacement.
Section 16a-46f. - Rebate program for residential furnace or boiler repair or upgrade.
Section 16a-46h. - Home Energy Solutions program audits.
Section 16a-46i. - Natural gas and heating oil conversion program.
Section 16a-47. - Energy conservation loans by electric and gas companies. Study. Implementation.
Section 16a-47a. - State-wide energy efficiency and outreach marketing campaign.
Section 16a-47b. - Real-time energy reports.
Section 16a-47c. - State-wide energy efficiency and outreach account.
Section 16a-47d. - Real-time energy alert system.
Section 16a-47e. - Capacity deficiency customer notification procedure.