Investing In A Cleaner Environment

May 23, 2022
Prior to the start of the 2022 legislative session, I made it a priority as House Chair of the Environment Committee and member of the Energy Committee to support policies and bills that would help cut our carbon footprint, increase our reliance on clean energy sources, and protect the health of Connecticut residents.

I'm happy to report that two of these bills - S.B. 10 and S.B. 176 - have officially been signed into law!

S.B. 176, AN ACT CONCERNING CLEAN ENERGY TARIFF PROGRAMS (which I was proud to co-sponsor) looks to increase commercial reliance on rooftop solar energy by modifying existing energy caps involving shared clean energy facilities and expanding the Non-Residential Energy Solutions (NRES) and the Shared Cleaner Energy Facilities (SCEF) programs.

S.B. 10, AN ACT CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION requires Connecticut to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions produced by the state's electric grid by January 1, 2040. After the transportation sector, our electric grid (essentially, how energy is supplied and consumed) is the second highest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the state. This law seeks to change that by setting giving utility companies and suppliers the necessary push to find cleaner, zero-carbon ways to provide consumers with energy.

While more remains to be done, these new laws represent significant steps forward for Connecticut in increasing our reliance on clean energy sources and protecting our environment for ourselves and for future generations.

Click HERE to watch the press conference and bill signing ceremony I attended earlier this week with state officials for S.B. 10 and S.B. 176.