Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Climate Action Timeline for Connecticut

Year
2021

Governor Lamont issues Executive Order 21-3 to direct Connecticut executive branch state agencies to take significant actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

On July 6, Governor Lamont signs Public Act 21-115, An Act Concerning Climate Change Adaptation, into law.

The Governor's Council on Climate changes releases the Phase 1 Near-Term Actions Report, Taking Action on Climate Change and Building a More Resilient Connecticut for All
2020  The Governor's Council on Climate Change convenes working groups and issues working group reports.
2019

Governor Lamont issues Executive Order 3 to re-establish and expand the membership and responsibilities of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change.

Governor Lamont issues Executive Order 1to recommit to and expand the Lead by Example Program.
2018


CT joins a coalition of nine states and D.C. to design a regional approach to cap GHG pollution from the transportation sector.  

Connecticut (CT) and eight other Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
 
(RGGI) release a revised 2017 Model Rule, updates consist of several non-substantive technical revisions. 
 
DEEP releases the 2018 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES).
 
GC3 Statement of Principles for achieving the necessary GHG emission reductions.
 
An Act Concerning Connecticut's Energy Future (Public Act 18-50) doubles Connecticut's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) from 20 percent by 2020 to 40 percent by 2030.
 
An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency (Public Act 18-82) is signed into law by Governor Malloy setting a mandatory emissions reduction target of 45% below 2001 levels by 2030 and integrates GHG emission reduction more explicitly into the CES and Integrated Resource Plan(IRP).
2017
Connecticut (CT) and eight other Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
 
(RGGI) release the updated 2017 Model Rule, which includes an additional 30% regional cap reduction between 2020 and 2030.
 
Connecticut joins the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
 
Launch of Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that supports and recognizes thriving and resilient Connecticut municipalities.
2016
Release of the GC3 Exploratory Report.
 
Several CT roadways are included in the U.S. Department of Transportation Electric Vehicle Corridor Designations. 
 
An Act Concerning Electric and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (Public Act 16-135) sets forth several provisions related to electric vehicles (EVs), including requirements related to data collection, EV charging stations, and electric rate structures.
2015
Launch of the GC3. 
 
 
An Act Establishing a Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program (Public Act 15-113) authorizes CT DEEP to establish a two-year pilot program to support the development of shared clean energy facilities (SCEFs).
 
A collaboration of European and North American governments, including CT, initiates the International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance (ZEV Alliance) to work together toward accelerating adoption of ZEVs.
 
CT launches CTfastrak, a bus rapid transit service, in central Connecticut.
2014
2013
EVConnecticut is jointly establish by CT DEEP and CT Department of Transportation.
 
 
 
CT joins seven other states to sign the State Zero-Emission Vehicles Program Memorandum of Understanding (ZEV MOU).
2011
Establishment of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), integrating environmental and energy policies.
 
Establishment of the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA), the nation's first green bank, now known as the Connecticut Green Bank.
2010
The CT Summit on Business Sustainability is hosted by the CT Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) and the CT Business and Industry Association.
 
The Adaptation Subcommittee of Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change (GSC) issues The Impacts of Climate Change on Connecticut Agriculture, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Public Health.
 
The Municipal Summit on Climate Action is hosted by the Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change.
 
2009
The GHG labeling program for cars goes into effect.
 
The US EPA approves California's GHG emissions standard for cars to be implemented in the 14 states in which it was adopted, including CT.
 
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States, including CT, sign a Memorandum of Understanding on a Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
 
2008
Global Warming Solutions Act (Public Act 08-98) sets mandatory GHG reduction targets of 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 2001 levels by 2050.
 
CT signs the Governors' Declaration on Climate Change at Yale University.
2007
An Act Concerning Electricity and Energy Efficiency (Public Act 07-242) requires energy efficiency to be treated as a "resource of first choice" in meeting electricity demand, increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 20% from Class I resources, creates a home heating oil efficiency program, and expands appliance efficiency standards.
2005
2004
An Act Concerning Climate Change (Public Act 04-252) commits CT to making appropriate contributions to achieving the regional goals of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2010 and 10% below 1990 levels by 2020.
 
Release of the 2004 Connecticut Stakeholder Recommendations, developed through a 9 month stakeholder process and provides a comprehensive list of recommended actions to reduce GHG emissions.
2003
2002
Release of the Leading By Example Connecticut Collaborates to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions,which establishes a framework for CT to meet its GHG reduction goals.
2001
CT signs unto the New England Governor's and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) Climate Change Action Plan 2001. This is the first international climate initiative aimed at collectively reducing GHG emissions.
 

Content last updated Februrary 2022