House Republican Press Release

July 9, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE

State Representative Ruth Fahrbach

Program rewards consumers who reduce energy consumption

The Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) kicked off its 2007 Summer Saver Rewards Program on July 1. The program allows electric utility consumers to receive a 10 percent credit for the generation portion of their bills if their electric energy consumption between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2007 is at least 10 percent less than what the same customer used during that period in 2006. Customers may be able to earn credits of 15 or 20 percent in some instances. Generation costs represent more than two-thirds of a typical customer’s bill. 

The DPUC is offering the incentive plan in an effort to make it attractive for consumers to reduce the amount of electricity used during the peak summer months.  By reducing electric consumption, consumers save money on their electric bills, and help reduce the load the consumers put on the electric grid.  Reducing the load on the electric grid can further reduce bills by decreasing the amount of federally-mandated “congestion costs,” which can reduce the costs of delivering electricity to consumers.

The DPUC suggests a number of ways for consumers to reduce their electric consumption, including: close blinds/curtains on the south-facing side of the house during the day; turn air conditioning temperatures up by two degrees; do not run air conditioning units when no one is home; turn off unused appliances and lighting; switch to energy-saving light bulbs and unplug unused electronic equipment (such as cell phone chargers) when not in use. 

Business customers can turn off any unused equipment and also raise the temperature on air conditioning, as well as switch to energy efficient lighting to help reduce energy consumption. All customers are eligible to receive the credits.  Customers of both UI and CL&P should call 1- 877- WISE USE (1-877-947-3873) to enroll or receive information about the program. 

In addition, recently passed legislation enacts a new sales tax holiday effective immediately on compact fluorescent light bulbs and Energy Star appliances and exempts compact fluorescent light bulbs and Energy Star appliances from the state sales tax. Energy Star appliances now exempt from the sales and use tax include: Refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, water coolers, battery chargers and washing machines. The new law also makes permanent the existing sales tax holiday on home weatherization products. A complete list of sales and use tax-exempt weatherization items can be found at www.ct.gov/DRS (click on Sales Tax Exemption on Home Weatherization Products link). If you do not have access to a computer and would like a copy of the list of sales and use tax-exempt weatherization items, contact my office at 240-8700.

Rep. Ruth Fahrbach represents the 61^st District, including Suffield, and parts of Windsor and East Granby, in the General Assembly.