Governor Wants Zero Carbon Emissions by 2040

Gov. Ned Lamont laid out his vision for energy and environmental policy in his February 5 budget address. 

“Connecticut will continue to take the lead in New England and set a firm timeline for a carbon free, energy efficient future,” he told lawmakers. 

SB 10 codifies an executive order Lamont signed last September, pushing Connecticut to reach zero carbon emissions by 2040. 

That order reestablished the Governor’s Council on Climate Change, tasked with evaluating the state’s existing climate change mitigation strategies and developing recommendations to accelerate the zero carbon goal.

⚡️🌿☀️New #BizCast episode: talking to business leaders about #sustainability, innovation, energy consciousness & employee engagement! @prattandwhitney @CBIANews https://t.co/V0dtFrnrNu

— Shannon Burnham (@shannoneking53) December 16, 2019

Large companies have recently made similar commitments to reach zero carbon emissions—some before 2040—and small businesses continue to invest in and integrate sustainable solutions in their business operations.

The bill also gives the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection authority to procure up to 300,000 megawatt-hours of electricity from active and passive demand measures and energy storage systems.  

Impact

Additionally, the bill allows DEEP’s commissioner to assess the energy, environment, and air quality impacts of adopting California’s medium- and heavy-duty emission standards.

CBIA’s 2020 policy agenda prioritizes transparency around the impact that any proposed energy policies have on energy costs.

The guarantee of keeping ratepayer funds earmarked for energy efficiency and clean energy projects was echoed by Lamont.

The bill allows DEEP to assess the impact of adopting California’s medium- and heavy-duty emission standards.

“No more diverting from our energy efficiency programs and [the Connecticut] Green Bank,” he said in his Feb. 5 address.

“We are delivering on our promises.”

SB 10 awaits action in the Energy and Technology Committee.

---

For more information, contact CBIA’s Shannon King (860.331.0712) | @shannoneking53