​Thank you Margaret for all you did to protect our environment.  


Sincerely,
David Bingham and Mary Hogue, Co-Chairs
Connecticut League of Conservation Voters

CTLCV has been evaluating the environmental outcomes of the recent legislative session. We hosted a virtual debrief on May 10th with legislative leaders to analyze the successes, failures, and what it means for Connecticut's future. 
The debrief provided important insights into the environmental policies that were considered by state lawmakers, what happened, and possible next steps.

CTLCV actively supported significant environmental and democracy bills during the session. A major focus this year was on climate.

The failure to pass climate legislation is a severe blow to Connecticut's environmental future.
The Senate's inaction on two strong climate bills this session raises serious questions about how we will be able to address the increasing impacts of climate change. This inaction will have lasting consequences, and puts us farther behind in reaching our state’s climate goals

The most significant climate bill this year, House Bill 5004, successfully passed the House. But for the second year in a row the Senate refused to bring out either of the two major climate bills for a vote when threatened by a Republican filibuster. This proactive legislation would have updated Connecticut's Global Warming Solutions Act, incentivized sustainable businesses, promoted energy efficiency through heat pumps and solar canopies, and expanded nature-based solutions. 

Connecticut has been falling behind its neighboring states in many areas impacting climate and the environment, and needs to catch up.  

In addition to climate legislation, CTLCV actively lobbied lawmakers on a range of environment and democracy bills throughout the session. You can find the list and descriptions of bills we worked on our website Watchlist page. 

While this session had setbacks, the fight for a cleaner Connecticut continues. Your voice and support of our work to put a spotlight on the state legislature and hold our lawmakers accountable is essential.  

Thank you to all who attended the debriefing session. If you did not catch it, please view the recording. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

-Lori Brown ​

We hope this email finds you well! As part of Earth Week next week, we are thrilled to invite you to two informative events. 

There has been a correction to the previously advertised date for the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC) Annual Spring Fling. The event is on Thursday, April 18th NOT Friday, April 19th. If you have any questions or would like more information, email [email protected]. 
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Virtual Action Hour on Offshore Wind
Date & Time: Virtual event- Tuesday, April 23rd at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Join us alongside experts David Shadburn from the League of Conservation Voters and Nathan Frohling from the Connecticut Nature Conservancy for a deep dive into the state of offshore wind in Connecticut. We'll also explore the benefits brought by the Inflation Reduction Act to offshore wind. To register for this event, click here.

Climate, Coffee, and Conversation
Date & Time: Saturday, April 27th from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: Little Oak Cafe, Canton
Join CTLCV and the CT Climate Coalition for some coffee and refreshments at Little Oak Cafe. Our special guest, State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw, will lead a conversation on environmental and climate issues happening locally and at the state level. To register for this event, click here. 

These events are packed with valuable insights and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. We hope to see you there!

-The CTLCV Team

Following last week's legislative updates, we'd like to share important information on some of the key democracy bills we are following this session.

A thriving democracy is the foundation of a healthy environment. That is why we are fighting to safeguard our elections and voting rights, ensuring your voice is heard on issues.

Last year marked a milestone with the successful debut of Early Voting in Connecticut. Earlier this month, the state concluded its first-ever early voting period, with approximately 18,000 of Connecticut’s 1.2 million registered voters participating. Additionally, our advocacy efforts contributed to the passage of the No Excuse Absentee Ballot legislation. This will allow voters to have the opportunity to decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow no-excuse absentee voting.

Here are some of the priority democracy bills this session:

Security of Certain Election Workers and Elections-Related Locations
HB 5448: This bill enhances the safety of those who administer our elections. It passed out of the Government Administration & Election Committee.

Ballots Made Available In Languages Other Than English HB 5309: This bill aims to improve access for non-English speaking voters. It passed out of the Government Administration & Election Committee.

Artificial Intelligence, Deceptive Synthetic Media and Elections HB 5450: This bill is intended to limit the spread of deceptive information related to elections through the use of Artificial Intelligence and deep fakes. This bill will help fight election-related misinformation. 

Your voice matters this November! This fall, you'll have the chance to vote to make No Excuse Absentee Voting a permanent part of Connecticut's elections. This amendment will ensure the continued flexibility and accessibility of our democracy. Support the amendment this fall – help shape the future of voting in our state!

Stay tuned for further information and check our Watchlist for the latest updates on the full range of environmental and democracy related bills that we are following. 

Thank you for your continued support.
​
Julianna Larue 
Climate Policy & Outreach Coordinator ​

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping you informed and engaged, we're excited to share the latest updates and upcoming events going on around the state. 

Upcoming Action Hour: 

CT Dept. of Administrative Services is hosting an online webinar on Tuesday April 9th from 1-2 PM. The Commissioner and staff of the CT Department of Administrative Services (DAS) are holding an online meeting with interested community and statewide sustainability, clean energy, climate, environment, and environmental justice groups. At this meeting, DAS will provide updates on sustainability projects (energy efficiency, decarbonization, renewable energy, transportation, water conservation and building consolidation), and hear questions, concerns and priorities from those in attendance. If you are interested in attending, please contact [email protected]. 

In addition to this Action Hour, there are several other exciting events planned for the upcoming weeks we would like to share. 

Upcoming Events: 

The Avon Clean Energy Commission and PACE are hosting an Earth Day event at the Avon Library on Saturday April 13th from 11 AM-12:00 PM. You will hear from the United Nations Association of Connecticut for an official launch of the newly-updated Avon Clean Energy Plan. The panel will share details of the plan and discuss the role the community will play in implementation, with time for questions and actionable takeaways. There will be a celebratory announcement of the Avon Library’s EV charging station and Avon school rooftop solar installations. This is a family-friendly event. For more information and to register for this event, click here.

IREJN is hosting the Legislative Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, April 16th from 8:30-10 AM in Room 310 at the Hartford State Capitol. Breakfast will be available at 8:30 AM; the prayer program will begin at 9:00 AM and will feature prayers from a diversity of religious traditions, as well as the theological and moral case for environmental action. You will also hear from legislative champions on what the next steps are. To register for this event, click here. 

If you have any questions or need more information about any of these events, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

We're excited about these important conversations and we hope to see you there! 

-The CTLCV Team ​

Now that the legislative committees have wrapped up their work, we want to share important updates on some of the priority environmental bills we've been tracking on our Watchlist. Your ongoing advocacy has helped to move these bills, but there's still important work to be done.
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CLIMATE HB 5004: This is the major climate bill of the session.  It generated huge turnout at the public hearing and was voted out of the Environment Committee. The bill declares a climate crisis and aims to update emissions targets, support green businesses, invest in clean energy, plan for the transition away from fossil fuels, and leverage nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. PLEASE SEE OUR ACTION ALERT SENT TO YOU EARLIER TODAY.

FOOD WASTE SB 191: This bill was moved out of the Environment committee intact, but still needs funding to ensure its goals are met to help municipalities set up the food scrap diversion and donation programs that will reduce our overflowing waste stream.

RODENTICIDES HB 5217: This bill was  stronger than last year and was passed out of the Environment committee, but DEEP has attached a large fiscal note on the bill (ie, what it will cost to implement the bill). Because of this, it was referred to the Appropriations committee which has not acted on the bill.

NEONICS SB 190: Unfortunately, this extremely important legislation was abandoned by the Environment committee. It is still critical for our state to reduce the use of this toxic pesticide and we encourage people to continue to express their support for this legislation.

PFAS SB 292: Despite some last minute changes, this legislation is still in a strong position after passing out of the Environment Committee. It will phase out a broad array of consumer products that are contaminating our water and endangering our health due to the toxic PFAS chemicals used in the products.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES SB 5485: As previously reported, this legislation is an effort to more fully address the issues raised in opposition to the clean cars and truck legislation we have been fighting for. At its core, this new initiative creates an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council. The bill passed out of the Transportation Committee and awaits action in the House.

ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS SJ 193: The Environmental Rights Amendment passed the Government Administration & Election Committee and continues to advance. This bill calls for a ballot referendum to amend our State Constitution that would guarantee the public’s right to a clean and healthy environment and empower all Connecticut residents to hold the state accountable for environmental protection.

Be sure to check our Watchlist for the latest updates on these bills and others we are following. We will continue to send alerts on how you can support these bills and contact your lawmakers. 

Thank you in advance for responding to our Action Alerts and speaking up for Connecticut’s environment! 


-Lori Brown

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping you informed and engaged, we're excited to share the latest updates and upcoming events going on around the state. 

Upcoming Action Hour: 

Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed is hosting a webinar on “How To Make Friends and Influence Policy” on Monday, April 8th at 7:00 PM.  Join this virtual policy discussion and meet other activists, and help decide how to engage with policy: to collaborate for the ecological health and resilience of our communities. To register for this event, click here.

In addition to this Action Hour, there are several other exciting events planned for the upcoming weeks we would like to share.

Upcoming Events:

CT Coalition for Climate Action is hosting the Climate Lobby Day on Wednesday, April 3rd from 10 AM-2 PM at Room 1A of the Legislative Office Building. At this event, there will be a press conference on the status of priority bills, a legislative training session, and a break off into groups to meet with legislators. To register for this event, click here. 

IREJN is hosting the Legislative Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, April 16th from 8:30-10 AM in Room 310 at the Hartford State Capitol. Breakfast will be available at 8:30 AM; the prayer program will begin at 9:00 AM and will feature prayers from a diversity of religious traditions, as well as the theological and moral case for environmental action. You will also hear from legislative champions on what the next steps are. To register for this event, click here. 

If you have any questions or need more information about any of these events, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

We're excited about these important conversations and we hope to see you there! 

-The CTLCV Team ​

Today marked a significant milestone in Connecticut's journey toward a cleaner energy future. Project bids were submitted for the exciting development of offshore wind power off our coast, along with bids in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
 
CTLCV was proud to join environmental groups, local government leaders and students in New London this morning for a celebration marking this momentous occasion. Along with over 15 other climate groups, we demonstrated our support for offshore wind in a letter addressed directly to Governor Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.   
 
This coordinated effort with Massachusetts and Rhode Island puts New England at the forefront of clean energy development. The tri-state procurement could result in up to 6,000 MW of offshore wind power, helping us meet our clean energy goals, reduce dangerous emissions and fight climate change.
 
We'll keep you informed as the selection process unfolds, but for now, let's celebrate this huge step towards a clean energy future for Connecticut!

-The CTLCV Team 

The first election to allow early voting will be the Presidential Preference Primary on Tuesday, April 2nd. Voters will cast their ballots for which candidate they wish to see as the nominee for the Democratic or Republican parties.

Early In-Person Voting Locations are NOT at your usual polling place. Check hereto find your city or town’s Early In-Person Polling Place.

Polls will be open for the upcoming Presidential Preference Primaries on March 26th, 27th, 28th and 30th from 10 AM-6 PM. Polls will be closed March 29th in observance of Good Friday. 

For additional voter information go to myvote.ct.gov. 

For more information about registering and voting dates in English & Spanish, click here. To view the pdf for AB applications in both English & Spanish, click here.

Anyone encountering problems on Election Day should contact the Election Day Hotline at 1-866-733-2463 or send an email to [email protected].
​
-The CTLCV Team ​

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping you informed and engaged, we're excited to share the latest updates and upcoming events going on around the state. 

Upcoming Action Hours: 

PACE is presenting a Laying the Groundwork for an Equitable Modern Electric Grid Webinar on Thursday, March 28th, 12-1:30 PM. In this webinar, PURA Chairman Marissa Gillett and her team will update us on this work. Following this presentation, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Co-Chair of the Joint Energy & Technology Committee, will join Chairman Gillett in a “fireside chat” on the state of Connecticut’s energy transition. To register for this event, click here.

In addition to this Action Hour, there are several other exciting events planned for the upcoming weeks we would like to share.

Upcoming Events:

CT Land Conservation Council is hosting the 2024 Land Conservation Conference on March 23rd from 8 AM-5:30 PM at Wesleyan University. CLCC invites you to join the state’s largest land conservation gathering and CLCC’s premier annual event, featuring a full day of over 55 educational workshops, as well as peer-to-peer networking followed by an informal reception with friends and colleagues from across the state. To register for this event, click here. 

CT NOFA is hosting the 42nd Winter Conference, featuring a series of virtual workshops on Wednesday, March 20th and Thursday, March 21st in the lead up to our full day, in-person gathering and celebration on Saturday, March 23rd from 8 AM-8 PM at Eastern Connecticut State University, in partnership with their Institute of Sustainability. There will be a variety of workshops, covering topics such as farming, seed saving, organic land care, community food security, social justice issues, and more, including a keynote address by Maya van Rossum, founder of the Green Amendments for the Generations organization. Our in-person celebration will also feature the presentation of the Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth award and our members' annual meeting. To register for this in-person event, click here.

DEEP is hosting the Youth Climate Summit on Tuesday, March 26th from 
8 AM-1:30 PM. It is a free virtual Youth Climate Summit focused on building youth leadership. For more information about this event, click here. To register for this event, click here.

CTLCV and other environmental organizations are hosting a Coffee and Celebration on Offshorewind in CT on Wednesday, March 27th from 8:30-10:00 AM at Muddy Waters Cafe in New London. Join us over coffee and breakfast at Muddy Waters Cafe to celebrate this milestone and hear from a few people about the importance of offshore wind for Connecticut's renewable energy future. To register for this event, click here. 

CT Coalition for Climate Action is hosting the Climate Lobby Day on Wednesday, April 3rd from 10 AM - 2:00 PM at the Capitol. At this event, there will be a press conference on the status of priority bills, a legislative training session, and a break off into groups to meet with legislators. To register for this event, click here. 

IREJN is hosting the Legislative Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, April 16th from 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM in Room 310 at the Hartford State Capitol. Breakfast will be available at 8:30 am; the prayer program will begin at 9:00 am and will feature prayers from a diversity of religious traditions, as well as the theological and moral case for environmental action. You will also hear from legislative champions on next steps. To register for this event, click here. 

If you have any questions or need more information about any of these events, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

We're excited about these important conversations and we hope to see you there! 

-The CTLCV Team ​

​Join us this Friday, March 22nd, at the Capitol where students, lawmakers, and environmental justice leaders will come together to demand the right to a clean and healthy environment for ALL Connecticut residents. This press conference is a critical moment to show our legislators that protecting our air, water, and land is a top priority. We need your support!

The Environmental Rights Amendment would transform how Connecticut protects our environment. It would guarantee fundamental rights like clean air, safe drinking water, healthy ecosystems, and a stable climate for all. 

Together, let's create a cleaner and healthier Connecticut. We hope to see you there!

-The CTLCV Team

The Legislative Session is in full swing and the various committees are fast approaching their deadlines to vote on key bills. We have been hard at work alongside our many environmental colleagues and our legislative leaders at the state Capitol to support the most pressing issues. We track these bills on our legislative Watchlist, many of which will be included in our annual Environmental Scorecard published after every session.
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You can find Briefing Papers on environmental issues as well as CTLCV’s Testimony on current legislation on our website.

We hope you have been in touch with your legislators to support bills this session that will address food waste, protect wildlife from Neonics and Rodenticide poisons, reduce PFAS pollution at the source, and keep our air and water clean. 

Please call or email our office anytime with questions or suggestions at 
860-236-5442.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY! 

Lori Brown
CTLCV Executive Director