DEEP will be conducting one or more procurements for renewable energy and zero emission resources using its authority pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 16a-3f, 16a-3g, 16a-3h, 16a-3j, and 16a-3m, and Section 45 of Public Act 25- 173. These procurements will further the state’s climate goals, including the greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets, and energy policy goals, including energy affordability, promoting fuel diversity and improving reliability. DEEP’s procurement authority for renewable energy sources and zero emission resources is structured to allow DEEP to run a competitive RFP to purchase Class I renewable energy resources, hydropower, nuclear generating facilities, energy efficiency, and Class III energy sources. These procurements may be run with Connecticut alone or in coordination with other New England states. DEEP reviews and evaluates the bids and may select projects if they are in the best interest of ratepayers. Any projects selected by DEEP enter into contract negotiations with the state’s electric distribution companies (EDCs) for long-term contracts to purchase the energy and environmental attributes associated with the facility. Any successfully negotiated contracts must then be reviewed and approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) , where DEEP and its Consultant must be available to respond to questions from PURA and relevant stakeholders.
