HOUSE DEMOCRATS • TERRY BACKER • NEWSROOM - 2007
Newsroom - 2007
November 21, 2007
By JARED NEWMAN
Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK — A task force is needed as soon as possible to mitigate rising fuel costs, a new report by the state legislators recommends.
"We don't have a lot more time to plan, so we have to start planning," said Sen. Bob Duff of Norwalk, who co-founded the Legislative Peak Oil and Natural Gas Caucus in July with Rep. Terry Backer of Stratford.
After meeting with oil experts earlier this month, Duff and Backer wrote the report and released it this week.
The report is a "red flag" to legislators rather than a technical study. It paints a bleak picture of the world's oil production, citing increased demand and more costly supply worldwide.
Oil production has peaked in the U.S., Iran, the United Kingdom, Norway, Indonesia, Mexico and Venezuela, the study says. Russia and China will peak in production soon.
The report quotes President George W. Bush, when asked earlier this month if he believes conflict with Iran is driving up oil prices. "Oil is going up because we use too much oil," Bush responded, "and the capacity to replace reserves is dwindling."
Experts in the field and owners of oil companies are also quoted in the report.
"We peaked last year," said T. Boone Pickens, a Texas oil tycoon. "We are pulling about 85 million barrels per day out of the world, and that's about as good as it is ever going to get. It is only going to go down from here on out."
In Connecticut, the report predicts the spike in energy costs will hurt not only consumers, but municipalities, which will have to dig into property taxes or sacrifice other services to pay their energy bills.
State operations, which use the most energy in Connecticut, will struggle as well, especially big consumers such as sewage treatment plants and vehicle fleets. "The implications of providing heat at vastly inflated cost to these institutions can only be imagined at this point," The study says.
Backer said the study should be a wake up call to his fellow legislators.
"It isn't a caution flag we're waving here," Backer said. "It isn't a yellow light. It's a red light, which means stop."
The first step for legislators, he said, should be an open dialogue with the public. The idea of an oil crisis can be scary, but Backer said it has to be confronted.
"It fundamentally forces you, or an individual, to change the view of the world as you know it and as you always expected it to be, and so it frightens people," Backer said, "and so my advice is don't be frightened."
Backer also called for a task force to work on conservation strategies. The caucus sent the report to Democratic and Republican lawmakers, who could form the task force in Congress. Gov. M. Jodi Rell could also do it with an executive order. Either way is fine with Backer.
"What we're saying is we start now with solid planning, and in the next year or so, start implementing some stuff," he said. "Then, we can define what kind of transition we'll have."
Extensive rebates for hybrid cars, fees for gas guzzlers, longer days and shorter weeks to reduce transportation for state employees and efficiency standards for new buildings are among the report's suggestions. Lots of little changes are the key.
"Don't look for the silver bullet — it ain't there," the report says.
November 19, 2007
By Luther Turmelle
New Haven Register
HARTFORD — A legislative caucus looking into the state’s energy usage has issued a report that says Connecticut is poorly prepared to deal with escalating oil prices.
The 29-page report issued by the Connecticut Legislative Peak Oil and Natural Gas Caucus concludes that the state “is at risk of economic contraction beyond anything we have experienced since the 1930s.”
Two Fairfield County lawmakers, state Reps. Terry Backer, D-Stratford, and state Sen. Robert Duff, D-Norwalk, founded the caucus in July to investigate global liquid fuel supplies and the implications for the state.
“Our nation, our society and every service and product is reliant on dirt cheap oil,” Backer said. “Health care, education, transportation, housing, you name it, are all at risk, as is the state of Connecticut. The era of cheap oil is over; we need to act.”
To bolster his point, Becker said in his hometown of Stratford, homes heated by oil had seen prices increase by 122 percent between 2000 and 2006.
“This is without a doubt a global problem,” Duff said. “But we’re beginning the discussion here at home and we’re moving forward in the right direction.”
The caucus — whose members also include state Reps. Steve Fontana, D-North Haven, and Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford — is calling for the creation of an energy task force to make the state less oil-reliant. Members also offered a series of recommendations for addressing energy issues, including:
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Creating a state Department of Energy
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Focusing in making state and municipal buildings more energy efficient
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Studying whether the state can make wider use of bio-fuels in its vehicle fleet
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Expanding telecommuting opportunities for state workers.
Backer said there is no simple solution to the problem.
“There is no silver bullet,” he said. “Instead, we need to look for silver BBs — lots of small, diverse ways to adjust our society to a world with a lot less petroleum energy.”
November 19, 2007
State Representative Terry Backer (D-Stratford) and Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk & Darien) announced that the Connecticut Legislative Peak Oil and Natural Gas Caucus report has been completed and delivered to legislative leaders and Governor M. Jodi Rell.
The document reflects some of the information gathered during an informational forum held at the beginning of the month at the State Capitol, as well as additional research and information pursued by the Caucus. The Caucus was founded by Rep. Terry Backer and Senator Bob Duff back in July, to investigate global liquid fuel supplies and the implications it may have to the state.
The report shows that Connecticut is completely unprepared for the impacts of constrained oil supply and sharp and unrelenting price increases that could lead to economic conditions similar to the Great Depression or severe recession. It also stresses that costly oil and unreliable supply will become a limiting factor to all functions of government and business unless the state, municipalities, businesses and government understand the implications and begin working together to mitigate the impacts.
"There will be no greater challenge to us in modern times. Our nation, our society and every service and product is reliant on dirt cheap oil. Health care, education, transportation, housing you name it, are all at risk, as is the state of Connecticut. The era of cheap oil is over. We need to act,” said Rep. Backer.
“As a state and as a nation, we need to address the impact that oil supply and demand will have on all aspects of our lives,” said Senator Duff. “This is without a doubt a global problem, but we’re beginning the discussion here at home and we’re moving forward in the right direction.”
A complete copy of the report is attached.
August 1, 2007
State Representative Terry Backer (D-Stratford) has been recognized by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) for his 100% support of environmentally beneficial legislation during the 2007 legislative session.
“Two great passions of mine come together in environment - my passion to help people and my passion to chart the future of the state. Protecting our God given life support system is a must,” Backer said. He added, “I am honored by the League of Conservation Voters’ recognition and look forward to continuing my support of environmentally friendly legislation.”
Rep. Backer is one of only four members of the House of Representatives to have registered a perfect score in 2007.
CTLCV’s Environmental Scorecard assesses both lawmakers’ votes on environmental legislation and their roles in championing specific issues. Environmental issues this year included reducing toxic cleaning products in state buildings, banning lawn care pesticides use on school campuses grades K-8, farmland preservation, energy conservation, electronic waste recycling and various open space preservation projects.
State Representative Terry Backer was first elected to the General Assembly in 1993. He represents the 121st Assembly district and serves as the Appropriation Committee’s Sub-Chair of Conservation & Development, the Energy and Technology Committee, and the Environment Committee.
March 19, 2007
Speaker of the House James Amann (D-Milford) today announced that State Representative Terry Backer (D-Stratford) has been appointed to serve on the Environment/Energy Committee of the Council of State Government’s Eastern Regional Conference.
The Environment/Energy Committee works with state officials from the fifteen Eastern Regional Conference member jurisdictions to develop innovative energy and environmental policies dedicated to safeguarding the region's natural resources. It is composed of more than one hundred state officials from all levels of government and meets two times per year to exchange ideas for effective legislation and programs, and to foster a cooperative, non-partisan approach to forging regional strategies to address common energy and environmental concerns.
“As Executive Director of Soundkeeper, an organization dedicated to the environmental protection of Long Island Sound, Representative Backer has been a staunch environmentalist for many years,” Speaker Amann said. “I know Rep. Backer will contribute numerous ideas that will benefit all of Connecticut residents.”
“One of the most sensitive barometers and earliest detection systems of global environmental conditions we have is the chemical integrity and physical condition of the ocean and its inhabitants,” Rep. Backer said. “I thank Speaker Amann for this opportunity and am eager to continue the fight to increase awareness of the importance of the health of Long Island Sound and its watershed.”
Established in 1933, the Council of State Governments is a non-partisan, public, non-profit organization that provides information, research, and training to state officials in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
State Representative Terry Backer was first elected to the General Assembly in 1993. He represents the 121st Assembly district and is Assistant Majority Whip. He serves as the Appropriation Committee’s Sub-Chair of Conservation & Development, and the Energy and Technology Committee as well as the Environment Committee.
February 20, 2007
Representative Terry Backer (D-Stratford) said today he will do everything in his power to defeat House Bill 5339, a measure that would allow the state of Connecticut to administer and own all operations of Sikorsky Memorial Airport.
“This bill is yet another attempted invasion of Stratford’s sovereignty,” Rep. Backer said. “I will fight to stop this bill dead in its tracks.”
The prospect of state take over of the Bridgeport owned Sikorsky Memorial Airport located wholly in Stratford has loomed in the background for a number of years and the proposed bill would accomplish that by selling the airport to the state.
"I have warned my constituents for years that a state take over of the airport was a possibility and that it would harm Stratford's right of self determination regarding the its future". Rep. Backer said.
Backer said the endless maneuvering by some in Bridgeport and certain airport expansion advocates to defy the will of the people of Stratford in their own backyard is disturbing. He went on to say that state ownership might override certain zoning and other protective processes that protect the people and provide for the right of the citizenry to shape their community and future.
“The economic benefit to the region has been determined to be nil and the environmental impact to Long Island Sound wetlands proven detrimental,” Rep. Backer said. "This is clearly an attempt at an end run around the people of Stratford's will for its town and I don't intend to take it lying down," Rep. Backer said.
According to Representative Backer the 1978 stipulated agreement signed by Bridgeport and the Town of Stratford requires Stratford's agreement for changes in the airport. Backer also said this agreement left the airport off the tax roles and rendered land useful to the citizens for reducing property taxes and making it off limits for development and tax base.
“Stratford gave up a lot in that agreement for the right to control unwanted and non beneficial growth of the airport property. We have already suffered the accrued economic losses. I don’t intend to allow insult to injury and leave our losses behind in vain while they use an end run tactic,” remarked Rep. Backer.
Rep. Backer went on to say that he will call upon the mayor and the town attorney to carefully review the 1978 agreement.
“It’s my belief that the conditions that encumbered Bridgeport from doing as it pleases in our town would move with any sale of the land for airport purposes. The restrictions should move with the land not the owner. Other than Bridgeport’s free ride on taxes the agreement is about land use and airport operations not the owner,” said Rep. Backer.
State Representative Terry Backer was first elected to the General Assembly in 1993. He represents the 121st Assembly district and is Assistant Majority Whip. He serves as the Appropriation Committee’s Sub-Chair of Conservation & Development, the Energy and Technology Committee, and the Environment Committee.
January 23, 2007
State Representative Terry Backer (D-Stratford) has introduced a proposal to help provide relief to electricity consumers.
House Bill 5296 would create an agency empowered to enlist a management company to buy electricity for the state residential consumers who have not chosen a provider. The bill would create transparency in contracting, limit profit taking by multiple levels of middle traders, and get the best prices for consumers. There are a number of professional organizations that would be qualified to bid for such a procurement contract including JP Morgan that had done so for the state during the early years of deregulation, as well as local utility companies and a number of others. The contract would be awarded to the low bidder for the service.
“This bill provides a mechanism to ensure the best price for consumers while maintaining open competition between generators and, as we all know, competition when done right contains prices, forces efficiencies on businesses, and requires providers to reduce their profits if they want the business,” said Representative Backer.
Rep. Backer also called for a better regulatory environment for access to competitive suppliers in Connecticut. Last week many customers of United Illuminating (UI) received information via mail from Levco, a Norwalk based residential supplier offering a 10% reduction in the cost of residential electric energy.
“Changing electricity suppliers is easy and takes only a few minuets. UI or Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) still deliver electricity through the same transmission cables and you still get only one bill from your utility. It’s perfectly safe and you can save money. I encourage everyone to pick a supplier other than UI or Northeast Utilities (NU) which are the default and more expensive suppliers if none is chosen,” said Rep. Backer.
Backer added, “We all learned how to change telephone suppliers and electricity is just as easy. If there were five other suppliers competing with Levco perhaps we’d see 15% or 20% reductions. However, there are requirements proposed at the legislature that would require consumers to pay an ‘exit fee’ to the utility in order to move to another supplier - virtually trapping you at a high default rate.”
“Can you imagine paying a supermarket a fee to buy your milk at a cheaper price elsewhere? It’s crazy,” said Rep. Backer.
Backer added, “There are many reasons why prices are higher in Connecticut. The high prices of natural gas and oil - the highest priced fuels - verses much cheaper, but dirtier burning, coal used elsewhere, the inability to build power plants almost anywhere and legislative road blocks stalling the increasing of transmission capacity, to mention only a few. Added to that is insufficient local competition and the result are high prices - and the legislature seems be to ok with it.”
“The provisions of House Bill 5296 along with removing the legislative road blocks to residential competition, a soon to expire 20% additional cost imposed by the federal government, and payments to the utilities for buying their plants will control prices. Any well meaning but ill informed demands to regulate generation will cost hundreds of millions we already paid and are still paying,” said Rep. Backer. |
