Climate Crisis Addressed In Two Bills Signed Into Law by Lamont

HARTFORD – Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday he signed into law two bills he said targets climate change by decarbonizing the electric sector and expanding renewable energy programs.

According to a release from the governor's office, Lamont said he signed:
• Public Act 22-5 (Senate Bill 10), An Act Concerning Climate Change Mitigation. This bill, which was sponsored by Lamont, codifies into law the 2024 zero-carbon electric grid goal he established through an executive order in 2019.
It aims to fully transition Connecticut’s electric supply away from relying on natural gas and oil to power its electric grid. The law will take effect July 1.
• Public Act 22-14 (Senate Bill 176), An Act Concerning Clean Energy Tariff Programs. This bill expands existing programs supporting distributed renewable generation, or small, renewable generation located on-site and helps reduce the energy burden of participating customers. This law, for the most part, will take effect Oct. 1.

“Connecticut is a leading state when it comes to mitigating the impacts of climate change, and these new laws will help to further accelerate progress on our greenhouse gas emissions goals," Lamont said. "I am proud to sign these bills into law because we are setting an example for what a state can do to become more environmentally sustainable and make meaningful progress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes said the goal is, simply, zero-carbon power sources.
“We’ve made tremendous strides decarbonizing our electric sector, but there is still more work to be done in order to reach our zero-carbon target and meet our greenhouse gas emissions goals, " she said.

State Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex, co-chairman of the legislature’s energy and technology committee, said these laws make for a cleaner environment for all.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to pass major climate change legislation this session. Connecticut has committed to getting all of our energy from zero carbon sources by 2040, doubling all of the caps on solar as well as making major changes in transportation infrastructure, including supporting electric vehicle adoption," he said. "These changes will lead to cleaner air for everyone in our state and are major steps in the right direction.”

State Rep. David Arconti, D-Danbury, co-chair of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, agreed.
“The passage of Senate Bill 10 and Senate Bill 176 culminates four years of strong climate mitigation policy advancement between the legislature and the Lamont administration," he said.
Lori Brown, executive director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, said the "100 percent renewable energy bill will help us tackle climate change, breathe cleaner, healthier air, and create thousands of jobs for Connecticut residents."
Nathan Frohling, director of external affairs for The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, added “this is huge for addressing Connecticut’s share of climate change because electricity is key – decarbonizing the multiple sectors of the economy will depend on clean electricity."