(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut has joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Climate Challenge, becoming one of more than 50 organizations across the United States that are stepping up to the challenge and driving real-world action toward a low-carbon future. In joining the challenge, the state is committing to reduce portfolio-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% within ten years and work with DOE to share successful solutions and decarbonization strategies.
As Connecticut undertakes this challenge, DOE will support its efforts with technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and a platform for the organization to demonstrate its commitment to being part of the solution to climate change.
To reach its emissions goal, Connecticut is conducting a decarbonization study required by Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 21-3 to plan for the retrofit of existing heating and cooling equipment. This will enable facilities to operate without carbon emitting fuels. In addition, the state is developing an electric vehicle (EV) fleet rollout to build out EV infrastructure on state properties for the transition of state fleet gas powered vehicles to electric vehicles, while working to install solar on state properties.
“Connecticut is already well on its way to meeting the goals outlined in the Better Climate Challenge,” Governor Lamont said. “Our efforts to decarbonize our state buildings and electrify our vehicle fleet are important steps toward a more sustainable future. By joining the challenge, we are sending a strong signal that our administration will continue to do everything in our power to reduce our carbon footprint and save money for taxpayers.”
“Better Climate Challenge partners like Connecticut are committing to decarbonize across their portfolio of buildings, plants, and fleets and share effective strategies to transition our economy to clean energy,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said. “Their leadership and innovation are crucial in our collective fight against climate change while strengthening the U.S. economy.”
“The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services is at the center of the state’s decarbonization efforts, but this work requires real cross-agency collaboration,” Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Commissioner Michelle Gilman said. “Working with our GreenerGov CT partners – especially DEEP and OPM – we can make a real impact on behalf of residents. The state’s participation in the Better Climate Challenge is an important step toward the realization of our ambitious climate goals.”
“Government has a responsibility to protect our environmental resources and our economy,” Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Secretary Jeffrey Beckham said. “Joining the Better Climate Challenge, in support of our Executive Order No. 21-3 goals, helps us achieve both. Working across state government we can reduce our carbon footprint and operating costs, saving taxpayers money in the short and long term. If we do not act today to mitigate the impacts of climate change, our children and grandchildren pay the rising costs.”
“This DOE partnership is a great example of the State of Connecticut continuing to lead by example,” Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “DEEP has worked with our GreenerGov CT co-chairs to implement Governor Lamont’s very first executive order, related to the sustainability of state facilities. Every day, our interagency team of DEEP, DAS, and OPM works to implement robust and cutting-edge projects like DEEP’s recently opened Western District Headquarters, the first net-zero state executive branch building. Reducing emissions from our building sector, which contributes 13% to the state’s total emissions, is critically important to achieving our greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in our effort to mitigate the climate crisis.”
In 2019, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order No. 1 to expand the state’s existing Lead By Example program, setting new goals for reducing the environmental footprint of state facilities. These targets include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030, water consumption by 10% by 2030, and waste consumption by 25% by 2030 across all Executive Branch buildings, including higher education. It also allows buildings operated by the Judicial Branch and the Legislative Branch to participate in this initiative.
In 2021, Executive Order No. 21-3 was signed to implement interim targets to meet the 45% GHG emissions reduction goal.
For more information on the Better Climate Challenge, visit betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/climate-challenge.