Submitted by Joe O’Leary, Senate Democrats Press Representative.
As weather, fluctuating demand, and ever-changing market conditions create increasing vulnerability in the electric grid, it’s critical for leaders to examine the needs of the future to learn what steps to take today to be ready for forthcoming events. Therefore, the Chairs and ranking members of the Energy & Technology Committee, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), State Representative David Arconti (D-Danbury), State Senator Paul Formica (R-Old Saybrook) and State Representative Charles Ferraro (R-West Haven) will convene a forum on energy, “Staring Into The Storm: Our Grid’s Present And Future,” on February 1, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“Late last year, warnings that Connecticut’s electric grid could be severely compromised during an extended cold snap were just the latest sign that we need to reexamine our state’s energy policies and procedures,” said Sen. Needleman. “I want to avoid a scenario like the one following the devastating Texas winter storm of February 2021, where extended power outages caused by cold weather led to significant suffering and the loss of life. It’s critical we look at where we are now, where we’ll need to be in the future, and what we need to do to get there.”
“Our objective is to dig into the available information and data,” Sen. Needleman continued, “with a focus on identifying problems to prepare the state for future needs and challenges. This forum will give energy experts an opportunity to make presentations directly to the committee chairs, other legislators on the committee and industry professionals.”
“Connecticut residents expect and deserve a reliable energy grid,” said Rep. Arconti. “This forum is a chance for stakeholders and ISO-NE to put ideas on the table as we work together on this critical issue.”
The forum, scheduled virtually due to the current COVID-19 wave, will be livestreamed on CT-N. Topics to be examined include: market design, grid reliability and how Connecticut can move closer to net zero carbon emissions from our electric grid.
