Briefs Filed in Lawsuit Challenging Legislative Raid on Connecticut Energy Efficiency Funds

New Haven Register reports that legal briefs have been filed by Partner Stephen Humes and other attorneys for both sides of a lawsuit challenging the authority of Connecticut government officials to raid energy efficiency and clean power program budgets for the state's general fund.

"The severity of the fund raid this time is much greater this time and it has resulted in thousands of people [in the state’s energy efficiency industry] being laid off," Mr. Humes said. "The purpose of this lawsuit is to have the judge tell the legislature to stop treating these [energy efficiency] funds as their piggy bank."

The Case is making its way through the U.S. District Court in New Haven, to be heard by Judge Janet Hall. It will be heard without a jury because lawyers for both sides have signed a document agreeing to the facts in the case. There are a total of 12 plaintiffs in the case—including Connecticut Fund for the Environment, a New Haven-based Fight The Hike and Connecticut Citizen Action Group—that are suing Governor Dannel Malloy, state Treasurer Denise Nappier and state Comptroller Kevin Lembo.

"Most cases have some sort of facts in dispute and that necessitates a legal trial. In this case, there are no facts in dispute, just the legal theories of both sides. That results in a speedier decision." However, a ruling isn't expected until late September 2018 at the earliest.

READ: Briefs Filed in Lawsuit Challenging Legislative Raid on Connecticut Energy Efficiency Funds