Press Releases
05/09/2018
Gov. Malloy Welcomes Senate Passage of Environment Bill
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy is applauding the Connecticut State Senate for approving legislation he introduced that takes a major step forward in Connecticut’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepares for the ongoing effects of climate change and sea level rise.
The legislation, Senate Bill 7 – An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency, was adopted in the Senate early this morning by a vote of 34-2.
“Climate change is real, it’s man-made, and it’s here,” Governor Malloy said. “We see the effects everywhere. Right here in Connecticut, sea levels are expected to rise by nearly two feet over the next 30 years, causing great harm to our coastal communities. It is critical that we adjust our current practices to prevent climate disaster, and this bill continues Connecticut’s role as a national leader in environmental protection.”
“As a scientist, as the son and grandson of scientists, as the husband of a scientist, and as the leader of an agency of 600 scientists, I applaud today’s vote by the Senate that recognizes the science of climate change and the threat it poses to the future of our state, nation and planet,” Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee said. “It is incumbent upon this generation to take real action to address climate change – this legislation is another step towards that goal. I applaud all those who came together to pass this transformative piece of legislation.”
The bill:
- Implements an interim target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent from a 2001 baseline by 2030 as recommended by the Governor’s Council on Climate Change.
- Updates current statutory references to sea level rise to reflect the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation’s (CIRCA) planning recommendation of nearly two feet by 2050.
- Requires all future state projects located in the Coastal Boundary that are either undertaken by a state agency or funded by a state/federal grant or loan to meet CIRCA’s projections.
It next moves to the House of Representatives, where it must be voted upon by midnight on May 9 before the Governor can sign it into law.
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