Transmittal Letter to Governor Ned Lamont
May 3, 2023
The Honorable Ned Lamont
Governor of Connecticut
State Capitol
Hartford, CT 06106
Governor Lamont:
The Council is pleased to submit Environmental Quality in Connecticut for 2022, as authorized by Connecticut General Statutes (CGS), Section 22a-12. The Council was established on June 25, 1971 by Public Act 872. This report uses over fifty indicators of environmental health and human activity to illustrate environmental trends, both positive and negative, for the 2022 calendar year. As required, the Council has also included suggestions for “remedying the deficiencies of existing programs and activities, together with recommendations for legislation”. The Council’s annual report indicates both improvement in some areas of environmental quality and regression in others.
Though this report can be printed, it is designed to be read as an online document on the Council’s website. Online, the values on its charts will appear under the reader’s cursor and the reader can access the many supplemental documents which are hyperlinked within it. “Quick Summary” boxes above most of the charts show the data trends for the past year and past decade.
In sending this report, the Council wishes, also, to acknowledge your efforts through the Governor’s Council on Climate Change and leadership on the passage of Public Act 22-5 and Public Act 22-25 to address the State’s serious climate challenge. Indeed, decarbonization of electric grid, increased use of renewable resources for heating and cooling and the expanded use of electric drive vehicles is critical to reducing greenhouse gases generated by the combustion of fossil fuels.
We would be remiss if we did not reiterate our concern for the two open Council seats and the upcoming term expirations which will threaten the Council’s ability to achieve a quorum in 2024, thereby effectively prohibiting the conduct of further business.
As always, the Council looks forward to providing you with any additional information you might request.
Respectfully submitted,
Keith Ainsworth, Esq.
Acting Chair
