PRESS RELEASE: CT Coalition for Climate Action 2026 Legislative Agenda: Affordable Energy, Sustainable Jobs, & Healthy Communities

Hartford, CT— Today, the Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action released its priorities for the 2026 legislative session.  
The Coalition, a broad-based and growing group of 168 health care providers, scientists, environmental organizations, religious groups, and others representing more than 300,000 members, was formed two years ago to address the climate crisis and environmental health and economic burdens facing Connecticut. 

“The Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action brings together a variety of organizations and individuals to collectively fight for positive climate legislation at the State Capitol. Our collaborative decision-making process allows us to choose priorities that represent the most pressing matters in climate. Together, we use our voice to advocate for a healthier, safer, and cleaner Connecticut.” said Julianna McVeigh, Doherty Climate & Resilience Institute Campaigns Manager at Save the Sound. 

Coalition members will be working together to achieve three key policy solutions this session: 

• Accelerate clean energy development by making it easier and cheaper to Go Solar, funding thermal energy networks, and creating refundable renewable energy tax credits. 

• Ensure affordable energy by continuing to invest in energy efficiency, protecting the Systems Benefits Charge, and reducing barriers to entry for weatherization programs.  

• Act now to protect communities from extreme heat, improve air quality and health for residents, and repair damage from federal termination of environmental funding.  

These solutions work toward the Coalition’s overarching goals of helping businesses and families save money, expanding solar, and protecting and improving health in our communities.  
Read more about the coalition’s proposed solutions here. 

Here’s what members of the coalition’s steering committee had to say: 
“Our state has very clear climate goals which we are required by law to meet.  Do our legislators have the sense of urgency needed to put laws in place to get us there?  Even in a short legislative session, we have to push for progress every single year, and we need our state’s elected leaders to make it happen,” said Lori Brown, CT League of Conservation Voters. 

“Almost everyone is facing the same reality right now: it costs too much to keep the lights on and our homes warm,” said Shannon Laun, Conservation Law Foundation Vice President for Connecticut. “It’s our goal to make sure no one ever has to sacrifice the necessities to pay their utility bills. Clean energy is affordable energy – and every Connecticut family and business deserves access to solutions that will cut costs and pollution.” 

“Energy efficiency and energy self-reliance must be at the center of any affordability discussion. Protecting and enhancing Connecticut’s efficiency programs addresses the root causes of high energy prices and delivers immediate bill relief and long-term resilience,” said Bernie Pelletier, People’s Action for Clean Energy. 

“Connecticut Health Professionals for Climate Action (CHPCA) stands in support of protecting the Public Benefits Charge, which funds life-saving electricity protections for our patients who depend on continuous power for medical conditions,” said Dr. Kirsten Ek, Connecticut Health Professions for Climate Action. “We support expanding affordable clean energy options for all Connecticut residents—including  weatherization programs, heat pumps, thermal energy networks, wind, solar access—and innovative solutions like plug-in solar. These programs deliver a triple win: lower energy costs for families, cleaner air from reduced fossil fuel combustion, and climate protection for Connecticut’s children, whose health outcomes depend on the decisions legislators make today.”  

“Everyone is affected by climate change, but some are more affected than others.” said Dr. Mark Mitchell of the CT Environmental Justice Leadership Collaborative and Mitchell Environmental Health Associates. “Children, elderly, low-wealth populations and many communities of color are more exposed and less able to protect themselves from the health harms of climate change, such as extreme heat and cold weather, as well as flooding These communities are under attack from the Trump Administration, which has cut federal funding for climate adaptation as well as mitigation. This has led directly to the closure or near closure of several organizations that have been trying to address these needs. Now is the time for the State of Connecticut to step up to preserve and expand the climate protections for those who are most vulnerable.”  

“One of the most important things we can do during the legislative session is to pay attention to the narrative that is out there on critical issues like energy affordability and help make sure that our policymakers are working with the facts.   The ‘narrative’ needs to catch up and help convey that clean energy can be cost competitive while playing a key role in providing for energy demand, energy reliability, emissions reduction, economic and job growth along with important health benefits,” said Nathan Frohling, Director of External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy of CT. 

“Energy efficiency and clean energy are the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy costs, improve air quality, and protect the environment.  But even more than that, we can’t have healthy people, healthy food, healthy water, or healthy wildlife on a sick and polluted planet.  We have a moral, ethical, and spiritual imperative to care for the world around us,” said Terri Eickel, Executive Director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network. 

“Connecticut’s climate future is at a critical juncture. The Trump Administration is pushing a dangerous fossil fuel agenda that leads to more pollution and higher energy bills. In 2026, our lawmakers must stand strong for our communities and our planet. To do that, lawmakers must protect Connecticut families and communities from the costs and impacts of extreme weather, and deliver more affordable and sustainable clean energy,” said Samantha Dynowski, State Director of Sierra Club Connecticut. 
​
About the Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action  
The Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action is a statewide alliance of environmental, labor, faith, health, and community organizations representing more than 300,000 people, working together to advance equitable climate solutions that reduce pollution, lower energy costs, and build a just and resilient clean energy economy.