Local
Sen. Duff to co-chair task force on energy scarcity, sustainability
By Senator Duff's office
Jun 18, 2008 - 10:03:08 AM

Hartford - State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Senate vice chair of the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology Committee, has been named co-chair of a task force that will plan for future energy scarcity and related issues in the state of Connecticut.

The Task Force on Energy Scarcity and Security, created during the regular legislative session, will conduct scenario planning for long-term petroleum and natural gas scarcity, steep price increases and supply disruptions. The study will examine the impacts of natural gas and petroleum price and scarcity on the economy, food supply, transportation, education, health and emergency response.

“The rising price and availability of petroleum and natural gas affects every product, citizen, business and function of government in the state of Connecticut,” said Senator Duff. “This is a problem that will not correct itself. We, as a state, need to plan for what’s ahead and need to be ready for a time when oil production could potentially drop off dramatically.”

Senator Duff continued, “The task that this group faces is no small challenge. However, I’m confident that we will develop a plan for Connecticut energy future that is feasible, sustainable and realistic.”

State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) appointed Senator Duff to the panel and selected him as chair. Representative Terry Backer (D-Stratford) will serve as his co-chair.

Senator Duff and Representative Backer previously served as co-chairs of the Legislative Peak Oil and Natural Gas Caucus, which evaluated some of the effects that global oil production will have on Connecticut.

The task force was established by Public Act 08-168, An Act Concerning Energy Scarcity and Security. The bill was approved 36-to-0 by the state Senate and 150-to-1 by the House of Representatives during this year’s legislative session and was signed into law by the governor on June 12, 2008.

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