June
2, 2003
The
Honorable John G. Rowland
Governor
of Connecticut
State
House
Hartford,
Connecticut 06106
Dear
Governor Rowland:
We
urge you and key legislators to keep intact the existing allocations to the
Conservation Fund and the Clean Energy fund. These funds are critical to
keeping the lights on in Connecticut, to supporting its economic recovery, to
meeting its urgent air quality compliance deadlines. The drastic cuts that are
proposed to these funds would only yield short-term budgetary relief at the
risk of power blackouts, higher electric bills, and worsening air quality.
ACEEE’s
research shows that Connecticut is a national leader in its commitment to
energy efficiency as a clean energy resource that supports economic prosperity.
We recently recognized six programs operating in Connecticut as among the best
energy efficiency programs in the nation.
It
is especially critical that Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs be sustained
today, because Southwestern Connecticut is facing critical shortages of
electric transmission to meet rising power demands. Efficiency and other demand-side programs are critical to keeping
the lights on in this part of the state. I grew up in Fairfield County, where I
lived through the Northeast Blackout of 1965. Keeping the efficiency programs
fully funded is essential to avoiding such disasters in the next few years.
ACEEE’s
research shows that energy-efficient homes, businesses, schools, and industries
put money back into the state’s economy.
Without state efficiency programs, such investments will falter,
threatening the economic recovery, and, ironically, worsening the state’s
fiscal situation. And without the
energy savings from efficiency investments, air pollution emissions will
increase, threatening the state’s ability to meet its Clean Air Act
requirements and thus risking future federal highway funding.
We
can appreciate the gravity of Connecticut’s fiscal situation; however, all of
its neighbor states have similar public benefits programs, and are keeping them
intact. We urge Connecticut to stay the course with its neighbors. The
Conservation and Clean Energy funds were created for specific purposes, and
without them, the state may find itself in worse financial and environmental
shape than New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the other Northeastern
states who have worked together on these issues.
Thank
you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue. We are happy to
respond to any questions on energy efficiency as a key resource for
Connecticut.
Sincerely,
William
R. Prindle
Deputy
Director