黑料吃瓜网 lawmakers are considering measures to advance solar projects around the state, as part of the state鈥檚 clean energy goals.
The state鈥檚 outlines that by 2040, all its power would come from energy sources that don鈥檛 create carbon emissions, which are of climate change.
would study how to speed up current projects, and push for , which would allow customers to buy or lease part of larger, off-site solar systems.
Supporters say the bill could be a step towards helping the state鈥檚 electrical grid handle more demand, and reducing peak power hikes.
Another part of the proposal includes directing the (PURA) to study optimizing current approved solar projects.
鈥淭hat may not be something that they can come back to us until January 2026,鈥� said Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, and co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. 鈥淏ut we think it's going to help us develop an effective roadmap for solar in the state of 黑料吃瓜网.鈥�
The committee-approved measure is waiting to be taken up by the House, which is in session later this week.
State Sen. Ryan Fazio, R-Greenwich, ranking member of the Energy and Technology committee, voted against advancing the bill, citing concerns it might increase rates for consumers and his desire to discuss the bill further on the Senate floor.
鈥淚 will continue negotiating with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make the legislation better,鈥� Fazio said in an email to 黑料吃瓜网.
Lawmakers are also considering a bill Gov. Ned Lamont proposed to expand solar in schools, and if approved, would allow them to harness state funds to install panels.
Rep. Steinberg said expanding solar is part of broader changes needed across the region鈥檚 electrical network going forward to bolster the grid. Building out renewable energy in New England will require many new transmission lines, as .
鈥淓ven something as straightforward as trying to promote solar, touches on some of the other critical issues we have as a state, and as a region, for promoting use of renewable energy,鈥� Steinberg said. 鈥淎 lot of it will be focusing on infrastructure investments.鈥�
In 2022, solar accounted for about 3% of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 power generation, according to .
