Thomas E. Leonard April 1, 2003

Sound Energy Lighting, INC

240 Sargent Drive

New Haven, CT 06511

(203) 624-2945

State Senator Win Smith, Jr.

District 14

Suite 2400, Legislative Office Building

Hartford, CT 06106

Dear Sir:

I am writing you to express my grave concern over pending legislative action that will have substantial negative impact on the business community throughout Connecticut. The Connecticut General Assembly recently passed a budget that reallocates $12 million from the Conservation & Load Management (CLM) Fund to the General Fund effective February 2003. Additionally, Governor Rowland’s proposed budget plans to divert all CLM Fund dollars (approximately $87 million per year) to the General Fund through 2005.

I own Sound Energy Lighting, Inc., a small business specializing in energy conservation lighting and refrigeration. Sound Energy Lighting (SEL) is a preferred contractor for both United Illuminating and North East Utilities. SEL works with business designing and implementing systems that reduce energy consumption and costs, lowers maintenance costs, and improves productivity.

In 2001, thirty two projects were installed by SEL. The average cost of each project was $9800.00, less $3786.00 in incentive from the CLM fund, netting an average of $5577.00. Reduction in kilowatt hour usage resulted in a $2400.00 annual utility bill savings. All companies were able to recover their investment in less than 2 years. In a time of economic hardship where every dollar counts the impact of this type of cost reduction can not be under estimated. It is also important to note that, total kilowatt hour consumption was reduced by 651,000, lowing Connecticut’s energy vulnerability in times of high energy consumption.

In 2002 similar average savings were also achieved. Without the CLM fund incentives the majority of all these businesses would not have been able to afford the initial expense of system upgrades. If businesses are not able to participate in conservation and load management programs myself and other contractors working in this field will be forced out of business. It is critical that the CLM Fund remain available to Connecticut businesses and not moved into the General Fund.

Sincerely

Thomas E. Leonard, President

Sound Energy Lighting, Inc.