Electric Vehicles Update

December 1, 2023


 
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Dear Neighbor,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It's a great time to gather with family and friends and eat heartily, but the very spirit of the season is to be thankful. I know I am thankful for all of you and your support.

Now on to this week's newsletter, where we touch on Governor Lamont's decision, for the time being, to withdraw from a plan to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles in Connecticut by 2035, to join me and a special guest for an in-district event next week; from Southeastern CTs Supporting Arts Grants to a special anniversary.
  • What's Our Rep Been Up To?
  • Climate, Coffee & Conversation event in Mystic December 7th 
  • Electric Vehicles Update
  • Complete: Safety Improvement Project: Exit 3A Northbound Off-Ramp From Rt. 349 in Groton
  • Supporting Arts Grant Awardees
  • Reminder: Fall Leaf Collection
  • Stonington Tree Removal Still at Issue
  • Today is Rosa Parks Day
  • Community Events
  • Anniversary No.1...and Counting! 
 
What's Our Rep Been Up To?
It was wonderful celebrating Heidi Simmons' dedication and work this week.

Heidi, my writing teacher at RMMS in elementary school, consistently emphasized that "the pen is mightier than the sword" and encouraged the use of "luscious language" in writing.

In addition to her service to the town of Stonington and her career in education, Heidi consistently exhibited incredible humility and resilience as the spouse of our former Congressman and Selectman, Rob Simmons.

A heartfelt thank you for her service to children across Stonington and beyond.
 
I was also part of an incredible evening at Mystic Seaport Museum celebrating the release of CUSH - Clean Up Sound and Harbors’s Mystic River and Wequetequock Cove Report Card for 2008-2022!

Big thank you to our volunteer water quality samplers for their efforts and UCONN Avery Point students for sharing your projects! It was a privilege participating in sampling this year, and urge anyone interested in lending a helping hand to reach out to CUSH!

As a member of the Environment Committee, I look forward to utilizing this scorecard as a public policy tool!
 
Climate, Coffee & Conversation Dec. 7th
As a member of the Environment Committee, I am proud to announce that our committee Vice Chair and State Representative Christine Palm will be a special guest for my upcoming Climate, Coffee & Conversation event at The Ditty Bag, 7 Roosevelt Avenue in Mystic, on Thursday, December 7th, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

I am excited about this event. I hope you can join us!
 
Electric Vehicles Update

As you may be aware, Governor Ned Lamont has decided to temporarily postpone the proposed ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles in Connecticut by 2035. While this initiative remains a top legislative priority, its implementation will be carefully considered in the upcoming session in 2024.

In the interim, there will be a concerted effort to engage with key stakeholders, including electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, local businesses, municipalities, and residents. This engagement aims to ensure that the necessary infrastructure for EV adoption, such as charging stations, is widely available.

As a member of the Environment Committee and an ardent advocate for environmental protection, I firmly endorse the transition towards electric vehicles. I am confident that this sentiment is shared by an overwhelming majority of constituents in the 41st district.

Together, we can achieve a cleaner and more sustainable future for our planet.

For further insights into this critical issue, please refer to the press conference on electric vehicles that I attended in Hartford on Tuesday.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Capitol news briefing Tuesday on the governor's decision to withdraw proposed regulations on motor vehicle emissions standards.
 
Complete: Safety Improvement Project in Groton

I was proud to support legislation The installation of a wrong-way detection system at the Exit 3A northbound off-ramp from Route 349 (Clarence B. Sharp Hwy.) in Groton which began on Wednesday night, has been completed. You can learn more about the wrong-way detection systems here: DOT begins installation of expanded wrong-way driving alert technology – NBC Connecticut
 
Supporting Arts Grant Awardees 
Congratulations to the many arts organizations and municipal arts departments in Southeastern Connecticut who have been awarded grants through the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) in the Office of the Arts! Please look at the list of towns and the amount they were given below.
More than 230 grants were awarded statewide totaling $1,050,000. 

The Supporting Arts grant program provides general operating support to Connecticut arts organizations and municipal arts departments. This type of grant is flexible and gives the grantee the ability to use the funds where they are most needed.  State and federal funds, from the National Endowment for the Arts, support this program. For more information about the Supporting Arts grant program, please click

HERE.
 
Reminder: Fall Leaf Collection 
The City of Groton is collecting leaves every Wednesday through December 6 except of the week of Thanksgiving.

CLICK HERE to watch a video as Groton Public Works Director Bill Robarge provides more information on fall leaf collection.
 
Stonington Tree Removal Still at Issue

In recent weeks, I have received numerous communications from concerned constituents regarding the extensive tree removal along Route 1 in Stonington.

Along this state-owned and maintained road, extending from Mason's Island Road to Buzzi Memorial in Stonington, dozens of healthy and beautiful trees were uprooted, cut down, and removed.

While I was aware of plans for some tree trimming and the removal of diseased trees along the Route 1 corridor, I was nonetheless taken aback by the sheer extent of the tree removal, especially in the area adjacent to the Stonington Cemetery at the intersection of Stonington Road and North Main Street.

I have expressed my deep concern to the Connecticut Department of Transportation leadership and will do everything in my power to prevent the mass removal of healthy trees in our district.

If you have any photos or additional thoughts on this matter, please do not hesitate to email me.
 
Today is Rosa Parks Day
The power one person holds! 

What started with one woman on a bus turned to 17,000 black citizens taking part in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Today we honor and celebrate "the mother of the civil rights movement" and how her one simple act of resistance helped spark the American civil rights movement.
 
Community Events
 
Anniversary No.1...and Counting 
We spent some of our first wedding anniversary watching the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce's Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday. It was a magical experience watching the beautifully decorated boats glide along the Mystic River.
 
We enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the feeling of community spirit. Thank you to organizers and public safety for the towns of Groton and Stonington for your efforts.
 
Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
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