Governor M. Jodi Rell is challenging state agency heads to set an example of conservation and savings by cutting energy consumption in state buildings by 10 percent in 2006, and by implementing various steps to encourage a ‘culture of energy efficiency’ in state government.
“It is essential that state government demonstrate leadership from the top in the area of energy efficiency by setting and achieving aggressive goals for reductions in energy consumption,” Governor Rell told agency heads in a memo titled ‘Energy Efficiency Call to Action.’
The Governor directed that state and quasi-public agencies achieve a 10 percent reduction in energy consumption in all buildings owned, leased or operated during the 2006 calendar year.She added that energy efficiency goals will be part of each state agency budget.
Specifically, Governor Rell instructed agency heads to:
·contact utilities for a ‘most beneficial rate’ analysis and energy efficiency report card;
·develop and adhere to an energy efficiency plan;
·assign designated staff to energy awareness training;
·encourage staff to practice energy efficiency in the workplace;
·consult utility conservation and load management programs prior to the design phase of construction projects and when considering buying or changing energy equipment to assure the most energy-efficient construction practices and equipment;
·purchase clean-fuel, low emission, and/or hybrid-electric vehicles, and energy-efficient products, when feasible.
“The high cost of energy is of great concern to us all, particularly as we enter the winter heating season,” the Governor said.“This will require us to use energy as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible…it is the policy of the State of Connecticut to conserve energy resources by avoiding unnecessary and wasteful consumption, consuming energy resources in the most efficient manner feasible.”
The Governor has asked state Consumer Counsel Mary Healey to assist state agency heads in implementing the energy savings goals.
Earlier this fall, Governor Rell announced that her budget office projected energy costs for state government to run from $23.5 million to $42 million over the current budget.The figures were developed by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) after the Governor requested a report on the impact of rising energy prices on state government.
The OPM projections are for routine operations such as heating state buildings, prisons, armories, hospitals and other structures, and fueling State Police cruisers and snow plows.They do not include the costs of any current or expanded heating assistance programs, such as the newly-legislated package of about $30 million in additional heating and weatherization aid and sales tax exemptions for energy-efficient products and equipment between November 25 and April 1, 2006.
“Connecticut is doing its part to make sure that our citizens, whatever their income and economic condition, are protected as the cold weather arrives,” Governor Rell said when she signed the energy assistance legislation passed by the General Assembly in special session. “I remain concerned about the state’s fiscal situation and the toll these energy prices are taking on our state budget. But I am also concerned about the toll they will be taking on family budgets.
“We are also waiting for the federal government to meet its responsibility to increase the funding for programs such as Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which relies heavily on the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program grant,” the Governor said. “I have joined Congresswoman Nancy Johnson in calling on oil companies to donate a significant portion of their third-quarter profits to programs such as CEAP so that we can be assured no one will go cold this winter.”
