Wrap Up to the 2018 Legislative Session with CPES & CBA
FREE, MEMBERS ONLY Event
Thanks to Joe Lemieux for the photos.
On Thursday, May 24th, CPES members met for the 2018 legislative session wrap up. Following lunch, Jennifer Galiette of Eversource Energy moderated the panel discussion on what’s next for Connecticut’s energy. She was joined by agency officials and state legislators, including:
- Katie Scharf Dykes, Chair of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA)
- Tracy Babbidge, Bureau Chief at Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
- State Senator Gary Winfield, 10th State Senate District
- State Senator Paul Formica, 20th Senatorial District
- State Representative Lonnie Reed, 102nd General Assembly District
- State Representative Tim Ackert, 8th General Assembly District
Diving straight in, the conversation began with a question for the legislators as to what they saw as the single biggest policy accomplishment from the session. All of the legislators pointed to the passage of Senate Bill 9/Public Act 18-50, “An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Energy Future.” Rep. Reed spoke to the importance of establishing a long-term energy framework, which included flexible mechanisms for future policymakers. Rep. Akert and Sen. Winfield built on this idea, emphasizing the need for predictability. Sen. Formica raised the importance of long-term planning that considers the impact of new, developing energy opportunities.
Bureau Chief Babbidge expressed support for SB 9/PA 18-50 as well and its inclusion of policy goals from DEEP’s 2018 Comprehensive Energy Strategy to holistically approach climate and energy. Chair Dykes followed up stating that PURA intends to get started as quickly as possible on the responsibilities assigned to the agency by the legislation, in addition to their ongoing procurements and grid modernization docket. Chair Dykes also noted the role of regional communication and collaboration on items like fuel security, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and energy pilot projects, emphasizing the importance of sharing lessons learned across the states.
Throughout the event, discussion repeatedly returned to the high level of stakeholder engagement with the state agencies and legislators saw this past year, and how essential this continued input will be in the upcoming energy dockets, legislative sessions, and budget discussions. Panel members pointed to the CPES members in the room, calling for their continued participation in developing Connecticut’s energy future.
AGENDA
11:30 AM – Networking
11:50 AM – CPES introductory remarks
11:55 AM – CBA introductory remarks and section business
12:00 PM – Panel presentation and discussion
12:45 PM – Question and answer session
Where: Main location at Day Pitney in Hartford (FULL at this location)
Satellite locations at Day Pitney in Stamford and New Haven
Online webinar format also available
*Co-Sponsored by CPES & CBA | CLE Credit Offered
Katie Scharf Dykes is the Chair of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). She was nominated by Governor Dannel P. Malloy to serve as a PURA Commissioner on October 27, 2016. MORE
Tracy Babbidge is the Bureau Chief at Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and has been since August of 2011. MORE
State Senator Gary Winfield was first elected in 2014 to represent the 10th State Senate District (New Haven and West Haven). He was elected to a second term in 2016. MORE
State Senator Paul Formica represents the residents of the 20th Senatorial District, which includes Bozrah, East Lyme, a portion of Montville, New London, Old Lyme, a portion of Old Saybrook, Salem, and Waterford. He was elected in 2015 and is currently serving his second term. MORE
State Representative Lonnie Reed is currently serving her fifth term in the CT House of Representatives. She is House Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Life Sciences Caucus and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus. MORE
State Representative Tim Ackert proudly represents the 8th General Assembly District, which encompasses Columbia, Coventry, Vernon and part of Tolland. He was re-elected to serve a fourth term in November 2016. MORE