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HB 6444

AN ACT ALLOWING THE CONSTITUENT UNITS OF THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ENTER INTO ENERGY-SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS.

2025 Regular Session

Connecticut public colleges and universities may use energy-saving performance contracts to finance efficiency upgrades, repaid from verified savings via ESCOs.

FILE NO. 5
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Bill Summary · HB 6444

HB 6444 — Summary

Title: AN ACT ALLOWING THE CONSTITUENT UNITS OF THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ENTER INTO ENERGY-SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS
Bill Number: HB 6444 | Status: File No. 5 (House)
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Subject Areas: Charter Oak State College; Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU); University of Connecticut; Energy Conservation; State Contracts; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Main purpose

Authorize the constituent units of Connecticut’s state system of higher education to enter into energy-savings performance contracts (ESPCs). The intent is to enable colleges and universities to implement energy efficiency, conservation, and related infrastructure upgrades that are financed and repaid from resulting energy and operational savings.

Key provisions (based on bill title and context)

  • Grants explicit statutory authority for constituent units within the state system of higher education (including institutions under CSCU, Charter Oak State College, and UConn where applicable) to enter into ESPCs.
  • Allows institutions to contract with energy service companies (ESCOs) or other qualified contractors to design, finance, install, and maintain energy conservation measures.
  • Permits repayment of project costs from verified energy and operational cost savings generated by the projects over an agreed contract term.
  • Likely contemplates common ESPC features such as guaranteed savings, measurement and verification (M&V) protocols, multisystem upgrades (lighting, HVAC, controls, building envelope, renewable energy), and long-term performance obligations — though the bill text would specify any required terms, oversight, or limits.

(Note: the bill text was not included. The bulleted items above reflect the statutory authorization named in the bill title and common ESPC practice. Exact contractual, financial, and oversight requirements would be set by the enacted text.)

Who would be affected

  • Constituent units of the state system of higher education: public colleges and universities in Connecticut (CSCU institutions, Charter Oak, and potentially University of Connecticut units depending on statutory definitions).
  • State energy and procurement offices (e.g., Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, procurement/legal offices) for oversight, review or coordination.
  • Third-party ESCOs and contractors providing design, finance, construction, and M&V services.
  • State budget/fiscal management could be affected depending on whether projects are paid from operating budgets, special funds, or by guaranteed savings arrangements.

Potential impacts

  • Accelerated implementation of energy efficiency and resiliency projects on campuses, lowering utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Upfront capital needs may be financed through contracts where repayment is drawn from projected savings, potentially reducing near-term capital appropriation pressure.
  • Fiscal impacts depend on contract terms, guaranteed savings performance, and measurement protocols; savings shortfalls could create budgetary pressure if not fully guaranteed or if guarantees are limited.
  • May require administrative capacity to manage, monitor, and enforce ESPCs.

Procedural history / timeline

  • 2025-01-23: Referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement
  • 2025-01-24: Public hearing held (House calendar 0130)
  • 2025-02-04: Joint Favorable; filed with LCO
  • 2025-02-13: Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis (02/19/25)
  • 2025-02-20: Reported out of LCO; Favorable Report; Tabled for House Calendar — House Calendar Number 24; File No. 5

Notes / Uncertainties

The full bill text was not provided. The summary above describes the bill’s stated purpose and typical elements of ESPCs. For precise legal obligations (contract limits, minimum savings guarantees, required approvals, reporting, and budgeting treatment), consult the enacted bill language or the bill text when available and the fiscal note prepared by the Office of Fiscal Analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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