Raghib Allie-Brennan

I am proud to lead my legislative colleagues in offering recommendations for DEEP to consider in drafting the 2022 CES. Citing the shortfalls in Connecticut's effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are asking DEEP to consider the following:
 

• What does an orderly decrease in the use of natural gas for heating look like?
• What alternatives exist for heating buildings?
• How can we accelerate renewables/storage so we have a real replacement option?
• How much ratepayer money should utilities spend on repairing and replacing leaking pipelines that may be phased out?
• How should remaining gas ratepayers be protected from the costs of maintaining a distribution system that has fewer and fewer customers?

Our State continues to subsidize natural gas heating which is inhibiting us from reaching our climate goals. In drafting the 2022 CES, I encourage DEEP to consider alternative means of energy that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and propel us towards a cleaner future.

Connecticut’s Global Warming Solutions Act calls for a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and 80% by 2050. In 2018, Connecticut emitted 42.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is approximately 2.9 percent higher than the state's 2020 emissions goal. For the most up-to-date report on Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions from DEEP, click here.