Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) announces its Annual Environmental Summit, taking place on January 7, 2025, at The Bushnell Theater in Hartford. This year’s event marks CTLCV’s 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter-century of environmental advocacy and impact.

Being held on the day before the opening of the 2025 Connecticut State Legislative Session, the event will feature educational material on environmental legislative priorities for the session. Key topics will include pressing issues such as renewable energy development, affordable housing, and environmental protections, alongside foundational discussions on conservation legislation for water, wildlife, and other critical resources. The summit will feature a diverse lineup of subject-matter experts delivering content through keynote speeches, engaging presentations, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions. 

This year’s event will feature Chuck Nice, comedian, climate advocate, and co-host of the StarTalk podcast, who will bring his signature wit and passion to the stage as a keynote speaker.

“The Environmental Summit is a unique opportunity for advocates, policymakers, and experts to come together, share ideas, and build the collaborative momentum needed to tackle Connecticut’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said Mike Urgo, CTLCV President. “With a critical legislative session ahead, this event is designed to energize and equip attendees with the tools and connections to drive meaningful action.”

Those interested in attending can find more information & register here: https://www.conservationeducation.org/summit2025.html 

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Today, President Biden announced a new national climate target aimed at reducing economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 61-66 percent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. This target underscores the nation’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The updated target, submitted to the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat as part of the Paris Agreement, highlights the critical role of federal, state, and local governments in building a clean energy economy that supports workers, consumers, and the environment.
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Success in reaching this goal depends on bold leadership and decisive action at the state level, and Connecticut has a critical role to play.

“Connecticut’s legislative representatives remain committed to delivering a healthier, more economically resilient future for our state. While past efforts have laid the groundwork, 2025 will be the year to take bold, decisive action with clean energy legislation that creates jobs, cuts pollution, and saves ratepayers money. Clean energy investments are the most efficient and affordable path to achieving these goals. We stand united with leaders in Connecticut and across the nation who are determined to take the necessary steps to secure a cleaner, healthier future for all.”

Mike Urgo, CTLCV President
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CTLCV's national affiliate, the League of Conservation Voters, has released their latest annual Clean Energy For All: Clean Energy Success in the States report. 

Below is the excerpt highlighting Connecticut's achievements over the past year. To explore the full CEFA report, click here.

Connecticut enacted legislation to encourage solar development, which included extending two statewide solar programs that were set to end in 2025, allowing municipalities to simplify approvals of solar canopies, and requiring school boards to assess the feasibility of installing solar on new buildings that they are seeking state funding to construct. Connecticut also committed to examining their solar taxes to ensure projects generate needed revenue for municipalities while remaining affordable.

In support of solar and clean energy advancement, Connecticut LCV (CTLCV) held its largest-ever annual Environmental Summit this year, which connected 377 advocates and lawmakers, in-person and virtually, for sessions exploring clean energy and climate policy. CTLCV also co-hosted four lobby days with over 100 attendees, helped organize a climate march at the capitol with more than 200 attendees, and launched an “Action Hour” series that brought experts into seven virtual public forums to discuss climate solutions, including a testimony training with over 60 participants.

CTLCV successfully prevented a fossil fuel-intensive series of bills that would have increased reliance on methane gas, undermined regulatory oversight of energy companies, and diminished the state’s clean energy program and Renewable Portfolio Standards. In addition, CTLCV joined local advocates and environmental justice partners to defeat a proposed trash incineration plant in an environmental justice community.

​CTLCV is active in the state offshore wind table and a member of the CVM-led New England for Offshore Wind coalition. In this role, the organization helps advocate for the development of the offshore wind industry in Connecticut, including working with labor allies and state agencies to renovate the port in New London to support offshore wind. Completed this year, the State Pier Terminal is now the only active East Coast offshore wind marshaling terminal with unobstructed ocean access and was critical to the construction of South Fork Wind, the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project.

"I’ve witnessed the challenges and what it takes to bring the offshore wind industry to America. Thanks to CTLCV and partners, we transformed the State Pier into a state-of-the-art offshore wind terminal, which played a key role in building America’s first utility scale offshore wind farm. We rely on strong advocates to ensure there is informed public, private, and government support for the realization of our state’s clean energy goals. CTLCV has been at the forefront as Connecticut’s leading voice in sustainability and the renewable energy transition."

​– Ulysses Hammond Interim Executive Director, Connecticut Port Authority