Press Releases
04/24/2026
New Climate Progress Report Shows that State Programs are Helping to Reduce Emissions, Improve Environmental Quality, and Lower Costs
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released its latest report of the state’s progress under the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The Connecticut’s Climate Progress report, required every three years by the legislature, highlights how Connecticut is continuing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while delivering real benefits for residents and businesses—lower energy costs, cleaner air, and stronger, more resilient communities.
The report projects that despite the absence of federal leadership today, Connecticut will achieve at least a 34% reduction in GHG emissions below 2001 levels by 2030, thanks to decades of efforts at the state and federal level to invest in energy efficiency, more fuel-efficient and zero emissions vehicles, and clean power.
“Climate action is critically important for the well-being of Connecticut residents. This report shows that the programs we’re enacting at the state level are making positive gains right now to make life more affordable, healthier, and safer for Connecticut families,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “The programs highlighted in this report are already delivering real results—lowering energy costs, reducing harmful air pollution, improving grid reliability, and helping our communities better withstand extreme weather.”
The latest GHG inventory for the state showed the adoption of heat pumps, and a greater share of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on the road continued to drive down GHG emissions year over year from 2022 to 2023 in the residential buildings and transportation sectors. In 2023, nearly 23,000 rebates for heat pumps for home heating were claimed through the state’s Conservation and Load Management (C&LM) program – a 51.5% increase from 2022. The share of light-duty cars and trucks model year 2017 and later – the starting year for the Obama-era CAFE standards - increased from 31.6% in 2022 to 40.6% in 2023 and electric vehicle registrations increased from 30,186 in 2022 to 44,313 in 2023 (or by 46.8%). Heat pumps and electric vehicles can also run more cleanly in Connecticut thanks to the state’s investments in clean energy sources of solar, wind, and nuclear power.
State programs are supporting the adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles by lowering the upfront costs for residents opting to buy these technologies. As the cost of gasoline has risen, the state’s CHEAPR program gives Connecticut residents access to more transportation options through up to $4000/$5000 rebates on new/used electric vehicles. United Illuminating and Eversource ratepayers can also receive incentives to enroll in managed charging, which lowers the operational costs for the EV-owner and all ratepayers by charging at off-peak times. The EnergizeCT program – administered through DEEP’s Conservation and Load Management (C&LM) Program – provides rebates of up to $15,000 to switch to a heat pump for heating and cooling as well as rebates for insulation, efficient appliances, and more to lower energy use and electric bills. The average residential customer who participates in the C&LM residential weatherization programs receives $1,129 of value in services and achieves lifetime average savings of$2,068 on their home energy bills.
The state’s investments in zero carbon energy are also paying dividends. This week, thanks in large part to revenue from the fixed price contracts with Millstone and Seabrook nuclear power plants, Governor Lamont announced lower residential electricity rates throughout Connecticut starting May 1, 2026, including by 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour or about $30 per month for an average Eversource residential customer and 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour or about $34 per month for an average United Illuminating residential customer.
The Connecticut’s Climate Progress report highlights that federal efficiency and air pollution standards for cars, trucks, and power plants; tax credits, investments, and permitting clean and renewable energy; energy efficiency standards; and monitoring and reporting on air and climate pollution have played a key role in lowering GHG emissions, protecting public health, and lowering costs. As the federal government rolls back these programs, it has become clear they must be restored for long-term success. In the absence of federal leadership, sustaining impactful state programs are now more critical than ever. These include programs described above to reduce our largest sources of GHG emissions and pollution, as well as investments in conservation and management of lands and urban forestry to maintain carbon sequestration.
The Connecticut Climate Progress report also updates the near-term climate impacts for Connecticut that must be planned for, including increased frequency of heat waves, drought, heavy rainfall events, and coastal and riverine flooding. This updated science – provided by UConn CIRCA - is critical to implementing Public Act 25-33, Governor Lamont’s proposed strategy for a resilient Connecticut. This law requires all climate impacts to be assessed and integrated into Plans of Conservation and Development and Hazard Mitigation plans at the state and local levels. Investing in planning and making communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change is good for our bottom line. Research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Allstate found that for every $1 invested in hazard preparedness, there are $6 saved in damage costs and another $7 saved in community economic recovery costs, for a total savings of $13 per dollar invested.
Finally, the report closes with highlighting the power of collective action when states work together. While Connecticut does its part to reduce GHG emissions, those efforts are multiplied through the state’s continued membership in the United States Climate Alliance. The Alliance represents 24 states and territories (including Connecticut), approximately 55% of the U.S. population, and 60% of the U.S. economy. Between 2005 and 2023, the Alliance’s economy-wide GHG emissions decreased by 24% while Alliance members simultaneously increased their GDP by 34%.
Looking ahead, DEEP is building on this report with a multi-sector Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, funded by the US EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, to evaluate pathways to meet the state’s net zero by 2050 target. Additionally, DEEP is hard at work on multiple related planning efforts, including a series of informational workshops to explore new advanced nuclear energy capacity in the state, and the development of the next Integrated Resources Plan on how to meet the state’s electric power needs.
Connecticut’s approach reflects a clear priority: advancing climate solutions that work for people—reducing costs, improving quality of life, and ensuring a safer, more resilient future for all.
For more on the progress and challenges we face, read DEEP’s Connecticut’s Climate Progress report.
To get the latest climate updates and opportunities to get involved in developing all climate-related plans in Connecticut, subscribe to the DEEP Climate Solutions newsletter.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110