Environment

HB 5340 establishes a new program to expand access to residential renewable energy by requiring electric distribution companies to offer tariffs for purchasing energy from small-scale, on-premise renewable systems (under 25 kilowatts). It directly affects low-income residential customers and those in affordable housing developments (defined as households earning ≤60% of area median income or meeting specific housing affordability criteria). The bill mandates the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to create this program by July 2027, setting rates and terms that consider grid reliability, installation costs, and benefits to both participants and non-participants. The program will allow residential customers to sell excess renewable energy back to utilities under standardized terms for up to 20 years.

This bill directs the Commissioner of Administrative Services to transfer a 4-acre state-owned parcel in Torrington, including the Torrington Transfer Station, to the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority. The transfer will occur at no cost to the Authority, covering only administrative expenses, and requires approval from the State Properties Review Board. The Authority must use the land to operate a public waste and recycling transfer station, with the property reverting to the state if the Authority fails to use it, loses ownership, or leases it. The State Properties Review Board must complete its review within 30 days, and the Department of Administrative Services retains control of the land until the transfer is finalized.