State Rep. Christie Carpino Visits Daniel’s Energy, Highlights Support for Local Small Businesses

PORTLAND – State Representative Christie Carpino (32) visited Daniel’s Energy in Portland along with the leadership team of Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA) to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the family-owned business. The visit was part of Rep. Carpino’s ongoing efforts to support local employers and advocate for policies that strengthen small businesses across Connecticut.

Daniel’s Energy explained how recently passed legislation, which allows a one-to-one journeyman to apprentice ratio, will help many contractors who have been restricted in the number of apprentices they can hire. They also discussed challenges with state policies that impact the energy sector.

“Daniel’s Energy has been serving our community for generations, providing reliable service, and local jobs,” said Rep. Carpino. “Small businesses like this are the backbone of our economy, and it’s important that state policies reflect their needs so they can continue to grow and thrive.”

During the visit, Rep. Carpino discussed current energy-related regulations, and listened to concerns about workforce development, inflationary pressures, and the regulatory environment. They also discussed the difficulties that CEMA members and other licensed tradesmen face when they compete with unscrupulous businesses that use unlicensed labor and the danger it poses for residents that unknowingly hire unqualified individuals.

Carpino emphasized her commitment to reducing unnecessary red tape, improving workforce training pipelines, and ensuring Connecticut remains a competitive place for small businesses to operate.

Carpino accepted their invitation to tour ENTECH, the Advanced Energy Training trade school providing complete training programs for careers in HVAC and CETP Propane and will visit later this summer.