Testimony of John Olsen

Opposing HB 7307, AN ACT CONCERNING BIOMASS

Energy and Technology Committee

March 6, 2007

Senator Fonfara, Representative Fontana, members of the committee: my name is John Olsen. I am President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, representing 211,000 working families in the state of Connecticut. I also serve as a Board member of Connecticut Innovations, Inc., Chairman of the Connecticut Inovations Clean Energy Committee and a member of the Clean Energy Advisory Committee.

I would like to state my opposition to HB 7307, AN ACT CONCERNING BIOMASS.

Connecticut did a smart thing - to promote renewable energy sources, and at the same time, create incentives for those energy sources to be made in and located in Connecticut. I am proud to be part of that continuing effort through Connecticut Innovations and the Clean Energy Fund.

It’s a win-win situation, in which we decrease our dependence on foreign oil, help foster a clean environment, and in the process, build a renewable energy industry that creates jobs and attracts investment to our state.

Why do we want to tamper with this success?

HB 7307 gives biomass projects in other states the benefits we had previously reserved for Connecticut projects. That’s a mistake.

Biomass gassification plants employ hundreds of people in the construction of the facilities, and many others in the operation of the plant, the delivery of wood and other functions. Each of those jobs has a “spin-off” effect as well, supporting the corner grocery store, public works, restaurants, and other local businesses that people with good jobs can then patronize.

Not only that. Once we dilute the preferences for Connecticut biomass projects, following the same logic, we open the door to do the same with other renewable energy projects.

This legislation is a signal to fuel cell manufacturers, investors, and people around the country as to whether Connecticut is serious in the far-sighted policies we established, or if we will change the rules of the game every legislative session. Start changing the rules, and you will dismantle the good you have done.

This is one time it makes sense to stay the course. Do not give up, not an inch, on your determination to make Connecticut “Energy Independent” while helping create good jobs that accomplish that goal.

Thank you.