A comprehensive climate bill aimed at helping to protect our environment was recently passed by the House. 

As our state increasingly experiences the impacts of global climate change, it is the legislature's responsibility to help protect our residents' homes, lands, schools and jobs. 

That is why House Democrats passed priority bill HB 5004 (An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors), which takes a comprehensive, practical, and equitable approach to protecting our environment with clear sustainable goals. 

"We're trying to paint the picture of the future that we need to move towards by putting in place a number of planning processes that are comprehensive, that are responsible, that are timely, that are collaborative, that will actually move us towards those goals that we need to reach," explained Rep. John-Michael Parker of Madison who serves as our chair of the legislature's Environment Committee. 

Key provisions of the legislation include:

• Setting new goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions—including an economy-wide net-zero target by 2050—without imposing costs on ratepayers
• Supporting clean energy jobs and businesses through tax incentives, rebates, and workforce training
• Developing strategic plans and expanding access to clean technologies

• Expanding loan and grant programs to include more climate-smart projects and ensuring funds benefit low-income residents and renters
• Developing plans that address the triple impact of reducing energy costs, lowering emissions, and supporting climate resilience
• Encouraging nature-based solutions for reaching our greenhouse gas reduction and other climate goals

We must continue to work on ways to counter the effects of climate change and this is a wide-ranging measure that focuses on affordability, energy efficiency, and developing a clean economy.

The bill now moves on to the Senate for their consideration.

You can read more about our legislation to help protect our environment from climate change in this news article in The Register Citizen.