Connecticut General Statutes Title 18. Correctional Institutions and Department of Correction § 18-81ee. Pilot program re use of renewable energy at correctional facilities

(a) The Commissioner of Correction may conduct a pilot program at one or more correctional facilities to provide for the use of renewable sources of energy, including solar, wind, water and biomass sources, for use in space heating and cooling, domestic hot water and other applications. If the commissioner conducts such pilot program, the commissioner shall determine the appropriate correctional facility for such pilot program after considering the nature of the inmate population at each correctional facility, the topography of the area of the correctional facility, the impact on the municipality where the correctional facility is located and the impact on local wildlife. Any energy produced under the pilot program shall be allocated to the correctional facility, and any excess energy shall be allocated for the benefit of the municipality where the correctional facility is located.

(b) The commissioner shall conduct any such pilot program within available resources, and may apply for grants or financial assistance from any person, group of persons or corporation or from any agency of the state or of the United States.

(c) Not later than one year after any pilot program established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section is operational, the Commissioner of Correction shall submit a report on the pilot program to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy, judiciary and appropriations. The report shall indicate the amount of energy produced under the pilot program, the amount of energy costs savings, an estimate of the energy benefit to the municipality where the correctional facility is located, and a summary of feedback received by the commissioner concerning the pilot program. The report shall be submitted in accordance with section 11-4a.