Dominique Johnson

I am happy to report that HB 5004 "An Act Concerning the Implementation of Certain Climate Change Measures has passed out of the Environment Committee. 

This bill will combat climate change in the following ways: 

1) Declaring a climate crisis and updating the Global Warming Solutions Act to make Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region;
2) Supporting businesses and towns that engage in clean economy sectors or employ environmentally sustainable practices by: creating tax credits and incentives, developing a pilot incubator program for entrepreneurs in green technologies, and creating a sustainable municipal purchasing model;
3) Developing plans for transitioning to a clean economy through such measures as expanding solar and heat pumps, requiring electrification of new state buildings, expanding workforce training, and creating a consumer’s energy bill of rights, and
4) Supporting nature-based solutions, such as protecting old-growth forests, controlling invasive species, restoring coastal habitats, and increasing carbon sequestration.

I am particularly excited about the provisions that focus on our small businesses, entrepreneurs, B corps, family farms and the workforce development needed to build our clean energy future, especially for the next generations! I am proud to be a team member working on the sections where we seek to provide Jobs CT Tax Credit preferences to small businesses and farms who are environmentally sustainable, furthering our state’s workforce development Green Jobs initiatives with the CT Clean Economy Council, and supporting our entrepreneurs and startup founders by investing in their climate tech small business ideas.

Click here to read a summary of the bill. 

Utility companies have started reaching out to residential customers with unpaid balances to sign up for payment plans to avoid interruption in their current services.

Those with financial hardships or medical issues due to a serious illness have not been eligible for termination due to nonpayment since March 2020, which stems from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a longstanding statutory moratorium that annually safeguards Connecticut residents from winter shut-offs November 1 to May 1.   

If you get one of these notices, my office can work with you to help contact utility companies directly to set up a payment plan to avoid service disruption. These plans charge no interest, and all customers qualify at least once for one or more of the plans. Please see the graphics above for contact information for the utility companies and the available payment plan options for eligible customers. 

Click here or the images above to learn more. 

This no charge regional program for residents of Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, and Greenwich to safely dispose of their household hazardous wastes. Products such as cleaners, gasoline and pesticides can pollute the environment and jeopardize public health when they are disposed of improperly.

Residents of participating towns may safely dispose of the following types of hazardous waste: gasoline, kerosene, spray paint, paint strippers, paint thinners, solvents, paints, stains, turpentine, varnishes, wood preservatives, degreasers, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, bleach, charcoal lighter, cleaning chemicals, drain cleaners, mercury thermometers, moth balls, pet flea shampoos, photo chemicals, rug shampoos, spot removers, art supplies & paints.
Before bringing household hazardous material to the collection site:

• Make sure items are clearly labeled and NEVER MIX CHEMICALS.Incompatible products may react, ignite, or explode, and mixed waste may become non-recyclable.
• Keep products in original labeled container.
• Place leaky containers in clear plastic bags.
• Tighten lids of all containers and pack items in sturdy cardboard boxes lined with paper.
• Put boxes in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers.
• Leave pets and children home when bringing hazardous materials for collection.
• Keep your windows open and drive directly to the collection site.
• Residents must remain in their vehicles during collection.
• Residents are asked to be patient, as this is the first HHW Day of 2022, and lines may be longer, due to greater number of participants and larger quantities of materials per vehicle.
• Do not smoke or eat while handling hazardous materials.

REMINDER:  Westport residents may recycle: antifreeze, motor oil, batteries of any type, light bulbs, and electronics at the Westport Transfer Station, 300 Sherwood Island Connector, Monday-Friday 7:00 am – 2:30 pm, Saturday 7:00 am – 12:00 pm.
The following items are NOT acceptable:  AMMUNITION, FLARES, and COMMERCIAL HAZARDOUS WASTE.

If you have any questions, contact the Westport Public Works Department at 203-341-1793 or click here. 

 In addition to the egg hunt, attendees can enjoy a plethora of exciting activities for all ages, as well as free coffee and treats. 

UPDATE**** All activities will be moved inside Mill Hill due to the weather forecast this Saturday!