Governor Lamont Signs Rep. Lanoue's Bill Calling for Examination of Natural Gas Demand Charges Affecting Farmers and Agricultural Businesses

Hartford – On Wednesday, State Representative Brian Lanoue (R-45) announced that Governor Ned Lamont (D) signed Special Act 26-4 (formerly S.B. No. 246), An Act Requiring a Study of Natural Gas Rates for Commercial and Agricultural Customers, into law just days after the measure passed the Senate and House of Representatives.

Under the new law, the commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will examine whether farmers and agricultural businesses should be placed in a separate natural gas demand charge category. The review will consider changing the current annual assessment structure to one billed on a quarterly basis. The intent is for the study to help inform a future legislative solution establishing a distinct rate category for farmland and agricultural operators, as defined in Connecticut General Statutes §12-107c.

The bill began its journey through the state legislature back in February, when Rep. Lanoue and Lou DeMicco from Jewett City Greenhouses, testified on behalf of the bill in the Energy and Technology Committee. From there, the committee voted unanimously to advance the bill to the Senate.

“I want to thank Governor Lamont for signing this bill into law so quickly after the legislative session concluded last week,” said Rep. Lanoue. “I also want to again reiterate how thankful I am for the bipartisan work that was done in both chambers on this piece of legislation over the last several months. Members of the General Assembly listened to testimony in Energy and Technology Committee and worked with me every step of the way to get this critical bill for local farmers and agriculture across the finish line. Now the real work begins to make energy more affordable for our agricultural partners across Connecticut- I look forward to working with DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, and our farmers over the next several months to get this right.”

The DEEP commissioner is required to submit a report to the legislature by January 2027 as outlined in the new law.

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