Hope for Energy Conservation Funds?

Jessie Stratton, a Director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters and an advisor on Governor Malloy’s transition team, is quoted in the January 11 CT News Junkie article, Finance Committee May Restore Conservation Funds.

CT News Junkie reporter Christine Stuart writes, “Environmentalists and small businesses are hopeful that since the state doesn’t have to borrow as much money as it initially expected when it passed the budget last year that it will restore some of the $28.5 million it planned on taking annually from the Energy Conservation and Load Management Fund.”

Jessie Stratton of Environment Northeast estimates that taking a portion of the Energy Conservation and Load Management Fund to pay off the debt will cost the state 1,120 jobs a year. She said restoring the money for the fund will help maintain jobs in the state.

The 2010 legislation that raided the energy conservation fund was roundly viewed as bad for Connecticut’s green jobs sector, bad for consumers who want to save money by making their homes and businesses more energy-efficient, and bad for the environment by adding to greenhouse gas pollution.