As a member of the Environment Committee on Governor Ned Lamont's Transition Team, CTLCV worked alongside other advocates and leaders to identify key policy goals for the next year and beyond. From investing in offshore wind to preserving water as a public trust resource, we worked hard to present a menu of policies that would ensure all communities would have a place in the green economy Governor Lamont hopes to build.
Here you can track the progress we're making on Governor Lamont's environmental agenda. Some of these items were identified in the Governor's budget address, in the environmental platform he put together during the 2018 campaign, or were key priorities of the Transition Team and environmental advocates across the state.
CLIMATE CHANGE
33%
Upheld Connecticut's participation in the Paris Climate Accords.
Working with legislators to pass a Green Economy Act for Connecticut.
Committed to transitioning Connecticut to zero-carbon by 2050 or sooner. CTLCV is encouraging Gov. Lamont and legislators to add this language into the Green Economy Act (HB 5002).
Gov. Lamont's transition team proposed working with neighboring states to develop regional carbon pricing to cut emissions and fight climate change.
CLEAN ENERGY
20%
Committed to ending the raids on the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency funds. The next diversion of $54 million from the Energy Efficiency fund is set for June. CTLCV is working with the administration and legislature in the hopes of halting that diversion.
Called for at least 1,000 MW of offshore wind energy and the development of a new offshore wind farm. CTLCV hopes to grow the investment to 2,000 MW of offshore wind energy. The governor's bill, SB 875, is currently making its way through the legislature.
Committed to fixing net-metering for solar energy customers and increasing access to community & shared solar projects. HB 7251 is currently making its way through the General Assembly.
Called for a zero-carbon Connecticut, which would involve ending our reliance on natural gas. A bill to remove the Pipeline Tax from the statute was introduced, but died in the Energy Committee in 2019.
NATURAL RESOURCES
33%
Appointed Katie Dykes to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Called for funding and protecting the Community Investment Act. This bill (SB 1061) was voted out of the Environment Committee and is making its way through the legislature.
Pledged to sign the State Water Plan into law and reaffirm water as a public trust resource. The Plan must either be passed out of the General Assembly or it will be delivered to the Governor in January for signature.
RECYCLING & WASTE
33%
Made reducing plastic bag waste part of his budget address. A bill to ban plastic bags (SB 1003) was passed out of the Environment Committee, but requires several fixes to ensure it applies to all grocers, does not exempt so-called compostable plastic bags, and includes a fee on paper bags to avoid a switch from plastic to paper waste.
During his budget address, Governor Lamont called for improving Connecticut's Bottle Bill by expanding the types of containers accepted and increasing the redemption and handling fees. The bill (HB 7294) passed out of the Environment Committee and is making its way through the legislature.
Supports reductions in polystyrene waste. Two bills to ban polystyrene trays in schools (SB 229) and polystyrene containers (HB 5384) passed out of the Environment Committee and are making their way through the legislature.
TRANSIT & DEVELOPMENT
40%
Supports greater access to and support for electric vehicles. HB 7205 would transition a portion of the state's fleet, including buses, to zero-emission vehicles. It passed out of the Transportation Committee and is making its way through the legislature.
Called for greater support for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. A bill to add electric vehicle charging stations to the state building code died in the Public Safety Committee in 2019.
Supports the Lead By Example program, which transitions state buildings, highway lights, and other assets to greener, more efficient alternatives. This program reduces the draw on our electrical grid, cuts emissions, and supports thousands of Connecticut jobs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY
36%
Supports improvements to Connecticut's existing environmental justice law, which would prevent trash incinerators and big polluters from being cited in underrepresented communities without input or approval from those neighborhoods. This bill (HB 5395) passed out of the Environment Committee and is making its way through the legislature.
Made creating green-collar jobs a cornerstone of his budget address. HB 5828 would create a green jobs career ladder. It passed out of the Higher Education Committee and is making its way through the legislature.
Called for improvements to energy efficiency standards, reducing the draw on our electrical grid and lowering energy costs for ratepayers. The bill (HB 7151) passed out of the Energy & Technology Committee and is making its way through the legislature.
