Energy and Technology Committee debates energy-affordability bill as attempts to add related measures fail

The Energy and Technology Committee on Wednesday debated a sweeping energy affordability bill, Senate Bill 4, and rejected two efforts to fold related measures into committee action.

Representative Jonathan Steinberg, cochair of the committee, opened the day’s session and said the bill is “a work in process” intended to be a ‘‘bucket in which all good ideas will rise to the surface’’ as lawmakers seek ways to reduce residents’ energy burdens while protecting reliability and environmental goals.

Committee members sparred over how to pay for programs that affect ratepayers. Senator Fazio urged caution about shifting program funding off utility bills and into the state budget, saying such moves must be weighed against the risk of increasing carrying costs or exposing programs to budgetary cuts. "I am also concerned not just how it's funded, but the aggregate funding between the taxpayers and the rate payers all added together," Fazio said. He added that some parts of SB 4 raise concerns about creating new programs that would be funded through utility bills.

Republican members and some Democrats pressed for faster, more visible action on affordability. Representative Barrack moved to add Senate Bill 647 — a separate bill described by proponents as aiming to protect consumer access…