Jaime Foster

LEGISLATORS CELEBRATE PASSAGE OF HB 5340

The bill includes a one-year pause on siting in certain towns

State Representative Jaime Foster (D-East Windsor/Ellington/Vernon), Senator Saud Anwar (D-3rd), State Representative Carol Hall (R-Enfield/East Windsor), and State Representative John Santanella (D-Enfield) are celebrating the passage of House Bill 5340, “An Act Concerning Renewable Power Generation.” The bill requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to develop successor programs for the RRES, NRES and SCEF programs, requires a study of consumer protections for solar photovoltaic system leasing and sales, allows the use of portable solar photovoltaic systems, requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to implement an agrivoltaics program, and requires the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish a pilot program concerning the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in environmental justice communities.

 

The section of the legislation that would be of most interest to residents of the 57th, 58th, 59th House Districts and the 3rd Senate District is a provision to address the oversaturation of solar arrays, such as East Windsor is facing. It puts a one-year pause in place on solar siting on land that is not commercial or industrial in towns that have greater than 5.5% solar by land mass or a town contiguous to the north of that has at least 2% solar by land mass. This will not impact projects that have already been approved by the siting council. In addition, it requires DEEP (in collaboration with DoAG, DECD, Siting Council, CCM, COST, CRCOG, the Connecticut State Building Trades Council, OPM, Council on Environmental Quality, PURA, OCC, and conservation organizations) to create recommendations to achieve more equitable solar distribution in the state. 

 

“I’m very happy this bill passed in both the House and Senate, and I look forward to its signing by Governor Lamont,” said Representative Jaime Foster. “This bill will help the residents of East Windsor who have taken on more than a fair share of the burden of solar arrays. While electricity demands grow, we must ensure a fair and equitable distribution while protecting our district’s farmland.”

 

“I’m excited to celebrate the passage of this bill,” said Senator Saud Anwar. “It’s an important first step, but there’s still more work ahead. East Windsor has already carried more than its share of large photovoltaic developments, which have impacted farmland and changed the character of the community. This bill helps place needed limits on further harm and gives the East Windsor community a stronger voice in protecting our future.”

 

“For far too long, Enfield and East Windsor have shouldered an unfair and overwhelming burden from these massive solar projects,” Representative Carol Hall said. “I’m thrilled we were able to deliver a victory for the residents who felt their voices weren’t being heard. While this bill may not accomplish everything I hoped for, I’m incredibly proud that we were able to push this one-year moratorium across the finish line. This is a major step forward for our communities and proof that when residents speak out, their voices matter.”

 

“The oversaturation of solar arrays in north-central towns has been a concern for residents and leaders for quite some time. As solar becomes more popular, there must be a fair distribution of arrays that generate this type of power,” said Representative John Santanella (D-Enfield). “I’m proud to have served as a co-sponsor on this bill.”

 

This bill modernizes Connecticut’s renewable programs, so clean energy can continue lowering bills, improving system reliability, and expanding consumer protection. Connecticut’s energy demand continues to rise, and families are feeling the strain of higher utility bills. As the state adds more renewable energy, programs must be designed to lower costs, support households with the greatest energy burdens, reduce administrative hurdles, and ensure consistent safety standards across the energy system.

 

It simplifies and streamlines renewable programs and permits and launches an automated online solar permitting statewide by 2028. It allows safe use of one small plug‑in solar device per household, with no utility approval, fees, or added equipment required, but it must meet strict national and state safety standards, cannot exceed 1200 watts, and must automatically shut off during outages.

 

It requires timely reporting of major and minor incidents at electric generation facilities - major incidents reported within 5 days and minor incidents reported within 30 days, and it requires DEEP with DOAG to study an incentive program for agrivoltaics projects in the state.

 

The bill passed 99-43-9 in the House and 27-9 in the Senate. It now heads to the governor’s desk for a signature.

 

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