All Roll Calls
Yes: 1 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 053402026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION.
Sponsored By: Energy and Technology Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To (1) require the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to develop successor programs for the RRES, NRES and SCEF programs, (2) require a study of consumer protections for solar photovoltaic system leasing and sales, (3) allow the use of portable solar photovoltaic systems, (4) require the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to implement an agrivoltaics program, and (5) require the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish a pilot program concerning the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in environmental justice communities.
energy and technology
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
15 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 7 mixed.
Free batteries for eligible solar households
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Connecticut Green Bank must run a pilot offering free home energy storage installations. Eligible customers must have participated in a solar program under state law section 16-245ff or 16-244z. Households in environmental justice communities receive preference. The pilot operates within available resources, with total spending capped at $2 million. It ends February 1, 2028, or when its required report is submitted, whichever comes first; the report is due by that date.
New clean energy payments for households
Starting January 1, 2028, electric companies must offer new payment plans, called tariffs, for eligible home clean energy systems. Systems must produce no pollutants, sit on the customer's property, and stay within 25 kilowatts per dwelling and applicable yearly electricity use. Customers can choose only one tariff per property; qualifying developments with five or more homes must share benefits among homes and common areas. Separate rates are allowed for low-income customers, qualifying multifamily residents, and residents of distressed towns. Connecticut's utility regulator must start planning by August 1, 2026, and issue its final order by December 1, 2027. Tariffs can last up to 20 years, and companies must offer them through December 31, 2035.
Automated home solar permits and fee reviews
Beginning July 1, 2026, towns must allow automated residential solar applications through the state platform or an equivalent alternative. The state must launch its platform by July 1, 2028, automatically reviewing applications and issuing permits that meet building rules. It must handle at least 75% of qualifying rooftop systems: up to 25 kilowatts, under four pounds per square foot, and serving existing detached single-family or multifamily homes. Town alternatives must be available by January 1, 2029, cannot demand extra information, and require compliance reports within 60 days after launch and annually beginning July 1, 2029. Towns using the state platform must revise permit fees by January 1, 2029, to reflect any reduced permitting costs; no specific fee cut is guaranteed.
More clean energy facilities qualify for rebates
Effective June 4, 2026, gas delivery rebates cover customers supplying gas to qualifying shared clean energy facilities regardless of selection date. The law removes the former December 31, 2023, facility-selection cutoff. Facilities must be selected through the specified state clean energy solicitation. The rebate equals the gas company's retail delivery charge for transporting gas to the facility, not a fixed dollar amount.
Energy facilities face new emergency safeguards
Beginning October 1, 2026, covered facility certificate holders must report major incidents within five days and minor incidents within 30 days. Preventive safety and routine maintenance shutdowns do not count as minor incidents; generators with specified federal or state air permits are exempt. Covered applicants and certificate holders must share emergency contacts with state and town officials and post them at every entrance; existing holders have until January 1, 2027. Contacts must respond within one hour, and contact changes must be reported and posted within 30 days. The Siting Council can require applicant-paid responder training: town leaders or fire marshals must request it within 60 days of notice, and applicants must arrange it within 60 days of the request. The Council must report incidents to lawmakers annually beginning July 1, 2028.
New clean energy payments for businesses
The law creates a replacement clean energy program for businesses and other nonresidential customers, with project payment tariffs and a price cap. Covered projects must be nonpolluting, serve an electric distribution company's system, generally sit on customer property, and not exceed five megawatts. State, municipal, and agricultural customers receive exceptions to property-location and electricity-use sizing rules. The regulator must start proceedings by August 1, 2026, and issue its final order by December 1, 2027; companies must seek projects at least annually starting January 1, 2028. Payments for energy and renewable energy certificates can last up to 20 years, with tariffs offered through December 31, 2035; preferences may support distressed towns, brownfields, and solar canopies.
State storage programs end in 2035
The law requires any utility-regulator energy storage program established under section 16-243ee to end December 31, 2035. This ends availability of those programs for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
Temporary solar limits in heavily developed towns
Until July 1, 2027, the Siting Council cannot approve covered solar projects in towns above specified land-use thresholds. The main threshold is previously approved solar installations and related infrastructure covering more than 5.5% of town land. A 2% threshold applies in a town directly north of and adjoining a town above the 5.5% threshold. Brownfield and landfill installations do not count toward those totals. Proposed facilities on land zoned commercial or industrial as of January 1, 2024, are exempt.
Community solar credits reserved for low-income customers
The law replaces the shared clean energy program with a Community Solar Program offering bill credits only to low-income subscribers. The regulator may prioritize customers behind on electric bills, offer financing or incentives, and align income rules with federal renewable energy incentives. Eligible projects must be nonpolluting Class I renewable sources, no larger than five megawatts, served by an electric distribution company, and have at least two subscribers. Consumer protections must include disclosures about selling or reselling subscriptions. The regulator must start proceedings by August 1, 2026, and issue its final order by December 1, 2027; companies must seek projects at least annually starting January 1, 2028. Tariffs can last up to 20 years and must remain available through December 31, 2035; the regulator may allow subscriptions beyond the tariff term.
Digital solar permits require licensed help
Beginning July 1, 2026, a licensed architect, professional engineer, or contractor must prepare and submit automated solar permit documents. The state must waive physical signatures, stamps, seals, certifications, and notarization when an application includes the required digital credential. People using the state or an alternative automated platform cannot face penalties or permit denial solely for missing physical-form requirements. This protection covers paper copies, attachments, originals, signatures, and certifications.
Solar credits continue, but charges allowed
Beginning July 1, 2026, electric companies must keep offering covered existing renewable energy tariffs during the switch to new programs. This duty ends December 31, 2028, or when the utility regulator orders approved replacement tariffs, whichever comes first. After their tariff ends, residential customers who chose the specified billing option receive credits against electricity used in real time. Those credits cover all per-kilowatt-hour tariff charges for eligible electricity they produce. The regulator may also set a monthly charge after a covered tariff ends; the law sets no amount.
Plug-in solar avoids fees, limits liability
Beginning October 1, 2026, customers can use one qualifying portable solar device per meter without utility approval or an interconnection agreement. Utilities cannot charge device-related fees or require extra controls or equipment. Devices must produce no more than 1,200 watts, plug into a standard 120-volt outlet behind the meter, and meet safety standards and state and local codes. Safety rules include anti-islanding protection, which stops power flowing to the grid during an outage, and warnings about excess-generation billing. Customers still owe charges from using the system, and the utility is not liable for damage or injuries caused by the device.
Electric customers share clean energy costs
Beginning July 1, 2026, electric distribution companies must recover reasonable, prudently incurred costs for the three renewable energy programs through customer rates. All their customers pay through a charge they cannot opt out of, adjusted to match actual costs and revenues. Net revenue from selling products bought under these tariffs must return to customers through the same rate component. The law does not set an individual customer's charge or credit.
Clean energy buying targets prioritize budgets
For tariff years starting January 1, 2028, renewable energy and storage programs must target 180 megawatts and $85 million annually. When those targets conflict, the $85 million budget target comes first. Procurement must promote 580 megawatts of energy storage by December 31, 2031. Residential solar paired with storage is excluded from both annual targets only when the regulator's ratepayer-impact test finds benefits for all ratepayers.
More grid projects face reliability review
Beginning October 1, 2026, more new or expanded power lines, substations, and switchyards fall under Siting Council review. This covers projects connecting future generation without an interconnection agreement, or easing grid limits to deliver that generation's power. The Council must consider whether these projects address future grid reliability needs, including enough generation to meet demand. Claimed needs require support from a regional grid-operator study or finding, the approved state energy plan, or a state energy commissioner's advisory opinion. That advisory opinion must state that the facility serves ratepayers' best interests.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Energy and Technology Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Aimee Berger-Girvalo
Democratic • House
Amy Morrin Bello
Democratic • House
Anne M. Hughes
Democratic • House
Anthony L. Nolan
Democratic • House
Aundre Bumgardner
Democratic • House
Bobby G. Gibson
Democratic • House
David DeFronzo
Democratic • House
Derek Slap
Democratic • Senate
Eleni Kavros DeGraw
Democratic • House
Farley Santos
Democratic • House
Frank Smith
Democratic • House
Fred Gee
Democratic • House
Gary A. Turco
Democratic • House
Geoff Luxenberg
Democratic • House
Geraldo C. Reyes
Democratic • House
Hector Arzeno
Democratic • House
Hilda E. Santiago
Democratic • House
Iris N Sanchez
Democratic • House
Jaime S. Foster
Democratic • House
Jane M. Garibay
Democratic • House
Jason Doucette
Democratic • House
John A. Kissel
Republican • Senate
John Santanella
Democratic • House
John-Michael Parker
Democratic • House
Joseph P. Gresko
Democratic • House
Josh Elliott
Democratic • House
Julie Kushner
Democratic • Senate
Kate Farrar
Democratic • House
Kerry S. Wood
Democratic • House
Laurie Sweet
Democratic • House
Lucy Dathan
Democratic • House
MD Rahman
Democratic • Senate
Martha Marx
Democratic • Senate
Mary M. Mushinsky
Democratic • House
Maryam Khan
Democratic • House
Matthew L. Lesser
Democratic • Senate
Melissa Osborne
Democratic • House
Michael "MJ" Shannon
Democratic • House
Michael D. Quinn
Democratic • House
Nicholas Menapace
Democratic • House
Nick Gauthier
Democratic • House
Patricia A. Dillon
Democratic • House
Raghib Allie-Brennan
Democratic • House
Robin E. Comey
Democratic • House
Roland J. Lemar
Democratic • House
Sarah Keitt
Democratic • House
Savet Constantine
Democratic • House
Stephen R. Meskers
Democratic • House
Steven Winter
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 376
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 375
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 371
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/19/2026
House Roll Call Vote 187 HOUSE AMD B
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 379
Yes: 1 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 374
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 373
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 378
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 377
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 372
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/19/2026
House Roll Call Vote 188 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/19/2026
ET Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-127
5/20/2026
File No. 385
4/2/2026
ET Joint Favorable
3/19/2026
Raised Bill
2/26/2026
Bill Analysis For File Copy 385
Bill Analysis for HB-5340, as amended by House "A"
ET Joint Fav. Rpt
ET Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Fiscal Note Addendum for Amendment LCO 5450
Fiscal Note Correction for Amendment LCO 5450
Fiscal Note For File Copy 385
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 4281 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5350 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5422 (Potential Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5450 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5452 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5472 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5892 (Significant Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5898 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5901 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5907 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5920 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 6094 (Savings)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 6103 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 6143 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 6224 (Potential Cost)
Fiscal Note for HB-5340, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 5450)
House LCO Amendment #4281 (D)
House LCO Amendment #5422 (R)
House LCO Amendment #5452 (R)
House LCO Amendment #5472 (R)
House Roll Call Vote 187 HOUSE AMD B
House Roll Call Vote 188 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 5450 (D)
House Schedule B LCO# 5350 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #5898 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #5901 (R)
Senate LCO Amendment #5907 (R)
Senate Roll Call Vote 371
Senate Roll Call Vote 372
Senate Roll Call Vote 373
Senate Roll Call Vote 374
Senate Roll Call Vote 375
Senate Roll Call Vote 376
Senate Roll Call Vote 377
Senate Roll Call Vote 378
Senate Schedule A LCO# 5892 (R)
Senate Schedule B LCO# 6103 (R)
Senate Schedule D LCO# 6094 (R)
Senate Schedule E LCO# 6094 (R)
Senate Schedule F LCO# 5920 (R)
Senate Schedule G LCO# 6224 (R)
Summary for Public Act No. 26-127
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