Connecticut Climate Action

Connecticut has long been a leader in climate action and recently adopted historic legislation. HB 5600, An Act Concerning Connecticut Global Warming Solutions, makes Connecticut  one of the first states in the nation to establish mandatory targets for reductions in global warming pollution.

Background

ENE published its Climate Change Roadmap for Connecticut  in 2003. The first of its kind, the report radically changed the state dialogue about climate change.  It showed how individual states...
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Connecticut Climate Action

Connecticut's new law (HB 5600) sets a mandatory cap on global warming pollution, requiring emissions cuts to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80% below 2001 levels by 2050. The bill lays out a number of steps for state agencies to develop ways to achieve reductions from a variety of sectors and track emissions.

ENE Summary of AAC Connecticut Global Warming Solutions

Full text of AAC Connecticut Global Warming Solutions

Connecticut's leadership on climate policy began with the 2004 Act Concerning Climate Change (PA 04-252), which set near- and long-term targets for carbon emissions reduction. The new mandatory cap further commits the state to the goals set forth in 2004 by making the targets enforceable.

Since 2004, Connecticut has passed legislation to help it achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals, such as by tightening appliance efficiency standards and overhauling the way energy is purchased and used in the state. See Connecticut Energy Reform.

The 2008 cap bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to produce an inventory of the state's emissions.  It also requires the DEP to monitor development of low-carbon fuel standards by other states, and to investigate market-based compliance mechanisms to achieve greenhouse gas reductions. The law further directs the Department of Transportation to investigate expansion of high-speed and light rail passenger and freight train service. ENE is working with other stakeholders and lawmakers to evaluate and advance GHG-reduction measures and track emissions trends. (See ENE's summary of possible strategies for achieving CT's climate cap, excerpted from Climate Change Roadmap.)

Massachusetts followed Connecticut's lead with its Global Warming Solutions Act, also passed in 2008. With these strong climate measures, the New England states are demonstrating national leadership.