Government and Politics
January 11, 2023
From: Connecticut Governor Ned LamontHARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont on Jan 11th, announced a comprehensive statewide strategy funded by federal and state dollars to provide energy assistance to Connecticut residents in the short-term and improve affordability and reliability in the long-term.
Short-Term
Late last month, Governor Lamont announced the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) will allow all participating households that heat with deliverable fuels, such as home heating oil, to receive an additional crisis assistance benefit worth $430 this winter season, above the amount they were already able to receive. Coupled with the existing basic benefit and crisis assistance benefits, the additional benefit means those families can now access up to $2,320 per household to help pay their heating bills.
The additional benefit is funded thanks to an additional $20 million secured for CEAP in a Congressional omnibus spending package passed late last year and an additional $30 million in State American Rescue Plan Act funding allocated to CEAP by Governor Lamont and the state legislature in November of 2022.
That same month, Governor Lamont and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman, together with Eversource and United Illuminating, announced a customer relief plan that includes a bill credit returning earnings under the Millstone contract, an accelerated discount for low-income hardship customers, and $13 million in utility-funded assistance programs for low and moderate-income customers including through Operation Fuel, which provides emergency energy assistance to low-to-moderate-income households that don’t qualify for CEAP or who run out of CEAP benefits.
Households interested in seeking assistance through CEAP should apply online at ct.gov/heatinghelp or contact their local community action agency. Additional assistance is available by calling 2-1-1. Those seeking assistance from Operation Fuel should visit operationfuel.org.
Long-Term
The state’s long-term strategy to improve energy affordability and reliability includes:
Governor Lamont said, “Our mission right now is to ensure that electricity will be reliable and that assistance and relief will be available to residents when they most need it this winter. Thanks to our tremendous Congressional delegation, there is support for the folks who need it most, but subsidies don’t last forever. That’s why I’m also grateful to our delegation for supporting the policies, grants, and tax credits we need to reduce the underlying cost of energy in our state and across the region. Our long-term strategy further diversifies our energy sources by investing in clean energy and energy efficiency to get us off the fossil fuel rollercoaster.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “Everywhere I travel across our state, I hear again and again from people fearful and angry about the crushing cost of home heating bills. This $5 billion for LIHEAP will deliver real relief to Connecticut families when they need it most. No one should ever have to choose between putting food on their table, keeping the lights on, or heating their home, and thanks to this funding, fewer people will face those tough choices this winter.”
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said, “Until we further diversify and clean up the grid, we will remain at the mercy of volatile price swings in the energy market. That’s why, longer-term, the state is employing a strategy that builds on the actions the state has taken to help insulate residents from situations that are driven by external forces, focusing on energy efficiency and clean energy resources. This strategy will better insulate residents from price volatility, increase reliability, and help us meet our greenhouse gas emissions goals.”
Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner-designate Andrea Barton Reeves said, “Last winter, we saw a 27% increase in CEAP enrollments. So far this year, applications for the program are up nearly 23%, and we are anticipating serving over 100,000 households this winter. The extra money allocated to CEAP by Congress, Governor Lamont, and the state legislature will allow the Department of Social Services, community action agencies, and other partners help more Connecticut families stay warm this winter.”
Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), co-chair of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, said, “It’s clear we need to take action on reducing the burden energy costs represent for Connecticut residents. On the Energy and Technology Committee, we’re exploring every option to improve the grid, and I’m especially encouraged by the governor’s support for hydropower and nuclear energy. I’m looking forward to helping find long-term solutions during this year’s legislative session.”
State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, (D-Westport), co-chair of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, said, “There is plenty of understandable anger about the rising cost of energy. Programs such as CEAP will help provide immediate relief, and the Energy and Technology Committee will work tirelessly this session to develop meaningful long-term solutions.”