House Republican Press Release

May 18, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Hamzy: House - Senate Republican Proposal Would Provide Relief from Crushing Energy Costs

Majority Democrats’ Stalling on Energy Bill Hurting CT Consumers

The failure of the state legislature’s majority Democrats to deliver on their promise to pass a comprehensive energy bill underscores the need to enact several measures that enjoy bipartisan support and would provide consumer relief through efficiencies and conservation and changes in electrical generation, state Representative William A. Hamzy said today.

Several of those measures were presented by House and Senate Republican leaders at a news conference today. Representative Hamzy, R-78^th District, a Deputy House Republican Leader, was one of the leaders who participated in the news conference.

“There are less than three weeks left in the legislative session, and with Connecticut residents crying out for relief from high energy costs, there is no reason why we cannot act on several measures we have identified that enjoy widespread bipartisan support and would respond to the kinds of concerns all of us are hearing from our constituents,” Representative Hamzy said. “The majority Democrats promised us a comprehensive energy plan six months ago that has yet to materialize because their House and Senate caucuses cannot agree on how best to go about it.”

“That’s why we decided to take the initiative today to help end this impasse. Energy expenses are contributing to the high cost of living in Connecticut. They are squeezing family budgets, and making it more difficult to attract new employers to our state and create more jobs,” Representative Hamzy said.  “Last year, the majority Democrats failed to come up with a comprehensive energy bill until the last day of the session. By then it was too little, too late and the bill failed to pass. We don’t want that to happen again. Bristol and Plymouth residents - and people throughout our state - deserve better than that.”

Proposals that can be found in both the House and Senate energy bills and would pass each chamber include:

Conservation:

• Restore previously raided conservation funds.
• Provide rebates for energy efficient air conditioner / furnace replacement.
• Expand “Green Buildings’’ program for state projects.

Generation:

• Require planning to determine current and future generation needs.
• Streamline process for acquiring additional generation including alternative sources such as hydropower.
• Promote clean energy.

Energy Tax Incentives:

• Make permanent tax exemptions for weatherization products and compact fluorescent lights.
• Create property and sales tax exemptions for hybrid vehicles and those with 40 mpg ratings.