Acadia Center Comments in Response to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Expanded Home Electric Efficiency and Affordability Draft Request for Proposals

Acadia Center recently submitted comments in response to the Expanded Home Electric Efficiency and Affordability Draft Request for Proposals issued by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Acadia Center highlights the growing need and opportunity for expanding electric and energy efficiency while addressing affordability for Connecticut residents. Energy efficiency remains the lowest-cost resource available to meet Connecticut’s growing energy needs and this initiative provides additional pathways to address greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets, energy affordability, and environmental justice. Acadia Center recommends the RFP be adjusted to provide transparency on the initiative’s budget, provide clarity on the term “electric appliance” and explicitly include electric resistance water heater to heat pump water heater conversions on the list of eligible measures, as well as encouraging eligible applicants to provide specific and successful examples of past work in environmental justice communities, vulnerable communities, and low- and moderate-income communities.