In fact the Department of Planning and Energy Policy created by Governor Grasso in 1975 to provide a single central source to deal with energy issues was disbanded by her successor Governor William O'Neill and the responsibilities parcelled out to what now amounts to a dozen or more agencies, etc.
What a way to run a railroad. In 1972 Governor Meskill pulled together a diverse group of operations into what remains as the DEP for purposes of creating coherent policy. I often wonder why O'Neill didn't break the DEP into pieces while he was at it, following the same logic--save money.
In fact this organizational chaos has cost the State a lot of money over the years--duplication of programs, competition for dollars, etc. The Clean Energy Fund and CT Innovations are a good example--the Governor just took several millions from the Clean Energy Fund and transferred it
to CT Innovations--neither independent operation has a good management record.
to CT Innovations--neither independent operation has a good management record.
Over the years there have been numerous studies as to whether we should recreate an Energy Department. Last year and this year two studies--one was killed by a tie vote in Program Review, while the other awaits the tender mercies of the Energy Committee. This where the problem lies--the Senate Chair has consistently over the years opposed the idea but this year at least it appears the House Chair sees the light. A few years ago a Senate Bill 48 proposed an Energy Dept that went nowhere but let's hope we get some results now. The lack of an organized spokesman may cost us dearly in getting the renewable energy funds that will be coming from the new administration.
One last comment --what is my role in this issue? I served in the legislature from 1980 t0 1992 and was Chair of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee for two years and Ranking Member eight years and I hate to see the managerial nightmare that pretends to be making Energy policy in our State.
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