Hartford Courant – Pep Rally

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A pep rally at the Capitol Wednesday tried to pump up support for an endangered consumer energy fund.

Gov. John G. Rowland proposed using the entire $84 million from the Energy Conservation Load Management Fund to help close a budget deficit of about $1 billion. The legislature restored about $12 million, said Steve Cowell, president of the Northeast Energy Efficiency Council.

The fund was established as part of electric deregulation in 1999 and is financed by utility customers who pay 0.3 cents per kilowatt hour in their monthly electric bills.

Rep. Patricia Widlitz, D-Guilford, the House chairwoman of the Environment Committee, urged about 150 supporters of the fund to lobby their lawmakers.

"It's been difficult sharing with our colleagues the importance of these funds," she said. "There is support here."

Supporters say the fund has promoted energy efficiency that has led to a savings of 246 million kilowatt hours last year at a cost of $25 million a year.

Energy efficiency programs also have helped reduce pollution, backers say.