Connecticut’s high energy costs and dismal 22-year record on jobs are tightly linked, Gov. Dannel Malloy said this week at the annual What’s the Deal? energy conference in Cromwell--and he promised his administration will be very active in turning both factors around.

[Watch Gov. Malloy's complete address.]

On the day before his economic summit and just weeks before the legislature’s special session on jobs, the governor said that Connecticut “for a long time has paid too much for energy, and paid too little attention to increasing energy efficiency.”

 “If we can increase efficiency, we can lower costs," he told the crowd of more than 200 business people and government officials. "And if we can lower costs, we can be in a better position to compete for jobs.”

Energy and the environment

Gov. Malloy said that government has traditionally—and incorrectly--separated “complementary interests” of energy, the environment and the economy.

Now, with Connecticut’s new Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, those interests are combined and should result in integrated policymaking.

His administration and specifically DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty will be “very proactive” in driving energy policy and in “making energy available at the lowest possible costs,” added the governor.

For example, the governor said he has approached Canadian officials about gaining access to lower-cost hydroelectric power. And he has talked with utilities in Connecticut about modernizing their facilities and diversifying their fuels.

Making wise policy choices

Connecticut also has to make wise energy policy choices, said the governor.

The state’s smartest policy is in making sure it has diverse fuel sources. However, “we can’t subsidize on a long-term basis every energy source available. There is no blank check to build a renewable portfolio.”

However, as energy policy is developed and driven, “every voice will be heard,” said the governor.

Since taking the reins of the state in January, “We’ve made a nine-month down payment of positive, proactive policy and it’s already showing results,” said the governor.

He said he was very proud of this year’s legislation that not only created DEEP, but is lowering electricity costs.  

“But we have much more to accomplish,” he said.  

“What’s the Deal?” is co-sponsored by CBIA and the Connecticut Power and Energy Society.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Brown at 860.244.1926 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).