2008 session in review:

Advocacy groups push more global warming restrictions

(May 20, 2008) Despite the state’s positive reputation and track record in fighting global warming, several environmental groups came to the 2008 General Assembly determined to pass stronger legislation. They wanted to set a new cap on statewide emissions of greenhouse gases and impose a series of tough emissions restrictions they said were needed to meet the cap.

CBIA had serious concerns with the original version of HB-5600, An Act Concerning Global Warming Solutions. The cap requirements were too aggressive and probably unachievable, especially the cap set for the year 2020, without causing a significant negative impact on our economy.

What’s certain is that HB-5600 would have increased energy costs and reduced reliability by placing significant restrictions on the siting of much-needed new energy generation and setting new fuel standards for home heating oil and motor vehicle fuels that would have been disastrous for Connecticut’s economy.

Beyond that, the proposal failed to answer the question of what Connecticut would do once the federal government eventually implemented a national carbon-reduction program.

Negotiated change
Fortunately, CBIA was able to negotiate into the final bill several changes that address these concerns somewhat.

First, the version of HB-5600 finally approved by lawmakers gives the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the flexibility to adjust the levels of the emissions caps in order to reduce negative impacts on the state’s economy.

Second, essentially all of the original bill’s restrictions dealing with how the emissions reductions were to be achieved were removed. Instead, the measure was changed to require certain state agencies to report on the policies and regulations each believes necessary to meet the caps.

The final bill also requires the DEP, once a federal program is adopted, to identify to the legislature what specific changes would have to be made to state laws and regulations in order to make Connecticut consistent with the federal program.

State’s already a leader
Connecticut has done much to address global warming — from the state’s Climate Change Change Action Plan and membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, to new and very expensive environmental regulations now being finalized by the DEP. This proposal was not necessary, and still binds the state’s hands to achieve the caps or face lawsuits from environmentalists. But at least the final version better acknowledges the risks to Connecticut’s economy and the need for consistency with forthcoming federal programs.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Brown at 860-244-1926 or eric.brown@cbia.com.