Judi Anne led the meeting, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance + the Rotary four-way test
Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Henri Martin was our guest speaker this morning. A member in the late 80's , Henri was happy to be back with his Rotary Family.
Summary:
Goal: Increase public fees to contribute to the general fund, allowing it to compete with other services.
Renewable Energy: The focus is on advancing renewable energy, including Class 1 (solar) and Class 2 (trash-to-energy) options.
Energy Path Forward: By statute, a certain amount of renewable energy must be purchased, supporting transmission and grid integration. Current energy sources include gas and nuclear, with gas prices linked to the wholesale market, notably from TX and PA.
Renewable Energy Targets: Connecticut has ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, and is also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.However, challenges persist, including insufficient infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) and power supply issues, which could lead to blackouts. While solar and wind are options, energy storage technologies are still developing.
Nuclear Energy: There's a bill to expand nuclear power with smaller modular plants. Existing nuclear plants do not count toward renewable energy.
EV Infrastructure: Eversource manages electricity transmission from substations to homes. To meet future EV demand (1.5 million households by 2027), infrastructure must grow significantly.
Energy Costs: Energy prices have increased by 20-30%. Some grants and programs are available to help with energy costs, with some people paying as much as $2,000 per month.
Regulatory Updates: The PURA board, which currently has 3 members, will expand to 5 members. The last decision was made with a 2-1 vote.
Blaise asked about the way Wallingford handles energy, and if there is a way for Bristol to become Energy Self-Sufficient
Upcoming Schedule: The legislative session ends June 4th and will reconvene in the summer.
(notes by Laura - may not be 100% correct as I took the best notes I could - don't shoot the messenger - but - thank you for reading!)
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