Progress On State Energy Needs: Speaker Amann says the Bethel-to-Norwalk transmission line saved $60 million
Speaker of the House Jim Amann
August 7, 2007

Speaker of the House Jim Amann (D-Milford) said that Connecticut Light and Power's (CL&P's) new Bethel-to-Norwalk 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, first energized in October 2006, has already saved $60 million this year by cutting congestion costs and boosting the company's ability to move power to energy stressed areas like southwestern Connecticut.

Congestion costs kick-in when high demand for electricity causes transmission bottlenecks, and the need to purchase additional generation to ensure reliability. CL&P incurred $120 million in such costs during the first half of 2006. Congestion costs have totaled just $60 million in the first half of 2007.

"The savings realized already with the Bethel-to-Norwalk line bodes well for transmission infrastructure upgrades already in the pipeline," said Speaker Amann. "Unfortunately, we've had to play catch-up on transmission capacity and system reliability. The alternative - squeezing power out of a system ill-suited for the energy needs demanded of it – is no longer an option."

Speaker Amann added that similar projects being proposed and carried out by CL&P, including the Middletown-to-Norwalk electric transmission line, will combine with comprehensive new state legislation to form a long-term response to spiraling energy costs.

Amann said that energy legislation passed overwhelmingly by the General Assembly in June will foster efficiency, reward conservation, better utilize renewable energy technology and develop new generation and technology. The new law also calls for rebates and tax exemptions for energy efficient car and appliance purchases, grants to residents who upgrade to more efficient furnaces and restores a total of $85 million to the state's Clean Energy and Conservation Funds.

"While we here in Connecticut continue to languish under a failed energy policy at the federal level, residents should know that as these state reforms take hold, we can blunt rising costs," said Speaker Amann. "We need to stay vigilant and continue to marshal the forces of government and industry to reign in costs and better secure Connecticut's energy future."

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