AN ACT CONCERNING THIRD-PARTY ENERGY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND ESTABLISHING A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC GRID MODERNIZATION GRANT PROGRAM.

HB 7016 establishes a municipal electric grid modernization grant program to help towns and cities with their own electric utilities upgrade infrastructure. It authorizes up to $____ million in state bonds (to be determined) to fund grants for qualifying municipalities seeking to modernize their electrical grids. The program, administered by Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management, allows eligible municipalities to apply for grants to cover costs like smart grid technology or grid resilience improvements. This bill directly affects municipal utilities under Chapter 98 of Connecticut law, while also expanding the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s power to select third parties (like the Connecticut Green Bank or utilities) to implement clean energy programs.