This has been a banner session for climate policy in Connecticut. Capped off with the passage of the Clean Air Act, this session will go down in history as a strong statement of our state’s values and commitment to providing a cleaner, healthier, more viable future for generations to come. Connecticut is NOT currently reaching our goals to reduce carbon pollution and transportation emissions are actually going up. Upon Governor Lamont’s signature, the climate bills that the General Assembly passed in recent days will set our course back in the right direction.
—Lori Brown, CT League of Conservation Voters
Senate Bill 4
An Act Concerning the Connecticut Clean Air Act
SB 4 is a large air quality bill that will reduce transportation emissions in a variety of ways that include a strong focus on equity and environmental justice. Policies outlined in legislation include investing in clean electric school buses for communities across the state; incentivizing electric vehicle and e-bike purchases with rebates; adding electric vehicle charging stations; funding municipal traffic calming measures, and other air quality programs. The bill phases in the transition of our state-owned vehicle fleets of cars and light duty trucks to fully clean electric vehicles, with 100% EV purchases by 2030.
A major component of SB 4 allows Connecticut to adopt stronger emissions standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and buses.
👏Passed! Signed by Gov. Lamont Check out who voted for this legislation: House
Please contact your Legislators and thank them for their support.
An Easy Lookup: Find Your Legislators
Senate Bill 10
An Act Concerning Climate Change Mitigation (Connecticut Clean Air Act).
SB 10 will set a 100% zero carbon target for electricity supplied to Connecticut customers by 2040.While Connecticut has made considerable progress in decarbonizing our electric grid, we must fully commit to achieving the climate goals set forth in the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008. The 100% requirement is a signal that Connecticut is serious about addressing carbon emissions and committed to working with our neighboring states to reduce pollution in the region.
👏Passed! Signed by Gov. Lamont Check out who voted for this legislation: House
Senate Please contact your Legislators and thank them for their support.
An Easy Lookup: Find Your Legislators
House Bill 5039
An Act Concerning Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emission Standards.
This will improve our air quality by allowing Connecticut to implement the medium and heavy-duty motor vehicle standards set by the state of California.
Some years ago, California enacted stringent standards in an effort to cut down on its severely polluted air. Since then, states across the country have voted to match California's standards, and this would bring Connecticut into the fold.
👏Passed! under Senate Bill 4
House Bill 5285
An Act Concerning the Public School Curriculum
SB 5285 will provide science-based climate teaching to all students in our school systems in accordance with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). It will codify into law what some -- but not all -- Connecticut public schools currently teach.
It will also establish a pilot program for the teaching of financial literacy, and will establish the Connecticut Civics Education Task Force.
👏Passed in Budget! Signed by Gov. Lamont