Written on: July 17, 2023
The Connecticut General Assembly adjourned this month without passing one major climate/electrification bill. After six long months of debate with environmental groups and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), lawmakers sided with PGANE members on virtually every climate issue brought before them.
Here are the concepts that were killed this year to prevent the electrification of Connecticut’s economy –
· Cap and trade/carbon tax
· Zero emissions stretch codes
· Ban on fossil fuel heating equipment
· Decarbonization road map (ie, state electrification plan)
· Home energy label
· Ban on gas cooking stoves and fireplaces
· Mandatory heat pump training/CEU’s for licensed technicians
· Declaration of a climate emergency for Connecticut
· Creation of subsector targeting for electrification
· New power for DEEP to electrify the heating and transportation sectors without legislative approval.
PGANE and CEMA members sent literally thousands of emails to legislators voicing their concerns about these issues and dozens of you testified at public hearings opposing these bills. PGANE thanks our members for answering the Calls to Action and for all their assistance as we lobbied this year to protect your businesses. PGANE sincerely thanks our CT lobbying team made up of Chris Herb, Walter Morton, and Nickey Kollie!
