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Because of you, CCAG has one of the best track records in Connecticut
for fighting and winning on environmental and climate justice issues. Thank you!
for fighting and winning on environmental and climate justice issues. Thank you!
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A RIDE TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE Ride Solo, on a Team, as a Family or create your own category! Cycle4CT is for a range of riders, whether you're a novice or a pro — from bicycles to tricycles.
Virtually or in person, prizes, action, fun! Register to ride and/or contribute, together we can save our planet one revolution at a time! TIME TO CELEBRATE! It's been a long lonely winter and we are ready to party. Join family, friends, climate change experts and resisters- for food, drink, and fun. We will also be cheering on Cycle4CT challengers as they arrive. Invited guests, planning & host committee: Bill Bloss, Isabel Carrasquillo, Steve Derby, Scott Harris, Anne Hulick- Director Clean Water Action, Alex Knopp, Diane Lauricella- Environmental Consultant, Jim Lohr, Jennine Lupo, John Murphy, Cheri Quickmire, Doug Sutherland, Aaron Turner, Gretchen Vivier and more. Find ticket & sponsor details here. |
2021 Climate & Environment Legislative Updates
VICTORY! SB 356 AAE an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program for Affordable Housing. This is an ambitious plan to reduce our energy burden and rapidly decarbonize homes in Connecticut by deploying energy efficiency upgrades, solar panels and zero-emission heat pumps, and by doing it in an equitable way through focusing on low to moderate income residents. This initiative was spearheaded by the CT Renews coalition
VICTORY! SB 999- AAC a Just Transition to Climate-Protective Energy Production and Community Investment. This law will ensure a just, equitable transition to a green economy. It will help create good jobs for those who need them most, will protect the overburdened and underserved from polluting industries, it will improve existing affordable housing units, and it will advance racial justice.
MAJOR WIN! The Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill implementing the state budget, which includes a provision requiring the Connecticut Department of Insurance to address the climate-related risks of insurers. This provision is the nation’s first law requiring insurers to address climate risk.
Tom Swan, Executive Director at the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, released the following statement:
“This is an important provision that will protect shareholders, policyholders, and the general public. While Connecticut has taken action to fight climate change, the insurance industry has been slow to move. It continues to play a critical role in fueling the climate crisis by underwriting and investing assets in fossil fuel companies. It’s important that Connecticut, the insurance capital of the world, take the lead on a serious approach to dealing with this threat.”
VICTORY! SB 837 PFAS Chemicals in firefighting foam and food packaging. PFAS chemicals, otherwise known as “forever chemicals”, are linked to a number of severe diseases and never break down in the environment, creating long-lasting harm to people and the planet. This bill restricts PFAS chemicals in food packaging and in firefighting foam, and requires the state to implement a take-back program of old foam, and to utilize a fluorine free foam in the future unless required by federal law.
Partial VICTORY SB 1037 An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management AKA “The Bottle Bill”. CCAG was a major proponent of the original bottle bill in the 1970’s. You may have been a part of that. Now we need to bring this policy into the 21st century. This bill will increase the scope of what types of beverage containers can be recycled, and increases the redemption rate from 5 cents to 10 cents. It will also increase the handling fee that the bottling companies pay to recycling centers, which will support and expand access to recycling.
However, industry was successful in inserting damaging changes, and we need to keep the fight going as this bill is implemented. CCAG is keeping a very close eye on this one. See the statement here.
CT FOSSIL FUEL PLANTS
Despite the legislature passing strong greenhouse gas reduction targets in the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act, and more recently with Governor Lamont setting a goal of 100% carbon free electricity by 2040, significant action to reduce fossil fuel generation has not followed. A new gas-burning power plant has been approved for construction in Killingly. To date, the Governor and the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) have not taken any meaningful steps to reduce our reliance on natural gas outside of SB 356.
STOP THE MONEY PIPELINE: INSURE OUR FUTURE CT
In January 2020, a coalition of over a dozen Connecticut groups launched Insure “Our Future CT”, a major mobilization targeting the insurance sector responsible for the funding of the climate crisis.
Connecticut is known as "The Insurance Capital of the World." However, the same insurance companies that operate in our backyard, are investing billions in the fossil fuel industry: The Hartford, Travelers and WR Berkley.
As a state-wide advocacy group, CCAG has a unique opportunity to move major U.S. insurers out of fossil fuels and into a sustainable future.
Connecticut is a leader on climate action, yet our insurance industry is failing to take the action necessary to avoid climate catastrophe. Instead, the top insurers in our state are investing billions in fossil fuels, and insuring an untold number of fossil fuel projects.
The Insure Our Future campaign is a part of an international coalition called “Stop the Money Pipeline” coalition, which is over 91 organizations strong. Read more and/or sign up for updates here: InsureOurFutureCT
RENEW CT - Working for a Just, Equitable, Sustainable CT
Three crises - mass unemployment, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic - disproportionately harm frontline and vulnerable communities including Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color. Connecticut can address these issues most effectively through regional coordination with other New England states.
The Renew New England Alliance is a growing coalition of more than fifty leading labor unions, racial justice organizations, frontline communities, and environmental advocates that have come together to tackle these overlapping issues. The core of our plan, to end mass unemployment, recover from the pandemic, and address climate change, is a Jobs Guarantee which will ensure that everyone who wants a job will have one. Visit renewnewenglandalliance.org for in depth details. Visit www.ctrenews.org for local efforts.
VICTORY! SB 356 AAE an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program for Affordable Housing. This is an ambitious plan to reduce our energy burden and rapidly decarbonize homes in Connecticut by deploying energy efficiency upgrades, solar panels and zero-emission heat pumps, and by doing it in an equitable way through focusing on low to moderate income residents. This initiative was spearheaded by the CT Renews coalition
VICTORY! SB 999- AAC a Just Transition to Climate-Protective Energy Production and Community Investment. This law will ensure a just, equitable transition to a green economy. It will help create good jobs for those who need them most, will protect the overburdened and underserved from polluting industries, it will improve existing affordable housing units, and it will advance racial justice.
MAJOR WIN! The Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill implementing the state budget, which includes a provision requiring the Connecticut Department of Insurance to address the climate-related risks of insurers. This provision is the nation’s first law requiring insurers to address climate risk.
Tom Swan, Executive Director at the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, released the following statement:
“This is an important provision that will protect shareholders, policyholders, and the general public. While Connecticut has taken action to fight climate change, the insurance industry has been slow to move. It continues to play a critical role in fueling the climate crisis by underwriting and investing assets in fossil fuel companies. It’s important that Connecticut, the insurance capital of the world, take the lead on a serious approach to dealing with this threat.”
VICTORY! SB 837 PFAS Chemicals in firefighting foam and food packaging. PFAS chemicals, otherwise known as “forever chemicals”, are linked to a number of severe diseases and never break down in the environment, creating long-lasting harm to people and the planet. This bill restricts PFAS chemicals in food packaging and in firefighting foam, and requires the state to implement a take-back program of old foam, and to utilize a fluorine free foam in the future unless required by federal law.
Partial VICTORY SB 1037 An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management AKA “The Bottle Bill”. CCAG was a major proponent of the original bottle bill in the 1970’s. You may have been a part of that. Now we need to bring this policy into the 21st century. This bill will increase the scope of what types of beverage containers can be recycled, and increases the redemption rate from 5 cents to 10 cents. It will also increase the handling fee that the bottling companies pay to recycling centers, which will support and expand access to recycling.
However, industry was successful in inserting damaging changes, and we need to keep the fight going as this bill is implemented. CCAG is keeping a very close eye on this one. See the statement here.
CT FOSSIL FUEL PLANTS
Despite the legislature passing strong greenhouse gas reduction targets in the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act, and more recently with Governor Lamont setting a goal of 100% carbon free electricity by 2040, significant action to reduce fossil fuel generation has not followed. A new gas-burning power plant has been approved for construction in Killingly. To date, the Governor and the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) have not taken any meaningful steps to reduce our reliance on natural gas outside of SB 356.
STOP THE MONEY PIPELINE: INSURE OUR FUTURE CT
In January 2020, a coalition of over a dozen Connecticut groups launched Insure “Our Future CT”, a major mobilization targeting the insurance sector responsible for the funding of the climate crisis.
Connecticut is known as "The Insurance Capital of the World." However, the same insurance companies that operate in our backyard, are investing billions in the fossil fuel industry: The Hartford, Travelers and WR Berkley.
As a state-wide advocacy group, CCAG has a unique opportunity to move major U.S. insurers out of fossil fuels and into a sustainable future.
Connecticut is a leader on climate action, yet our insurance industry is failing to take the action necessary to avoid climate catastrophe. Instead, the top insurers in our state are investing billions in fossil fuels, and insuring an untold number of fossil fuel projects.
The Insure Our Future campaign is a part of an international coalition called “Stop the Money Pipeline” coalition, which is over 91 organizations strong. Read more and/or sign up for updates here: InsureOurFutureCT
RENEW CT - Working for a Just, Equitable, Sustainable CT
Three crises - mass unemployment, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic - disproportionately harm frontline and vulnerable communities including Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color. Connecticut can address these issues most effectively through regional coordination with other New England states.
The Renew New England Alliance is a growing coalition of more than fifty leading labor unions, racial justice organizations, frontline communities, and environmental advocates that have come together to tackle these overlapping issues. The core of our plan, to end mass unemployment, recover from the pandemic, and address climate change, is a Jobs Guarantee which will ensure that everyone who wants a job will have one. Visit renewnewenglandalliance.org for in depth details. Visit www.ctrenews.org for local efforts.
VICTORY! SB 837 PFAS Chemicals in firefighting foam and food packaging. PFAS chemicals, otherwise known as “forever chemicals”, are linked to a number of severe diseases and never break down in the environment, creating long-lasting harm to people and the planet.
This bill restricts PFAS chemicals in food packaging and in firefighting foam, and requires the state to implement a take-back program of old foam, and to utilize a fluorine free foam in the future unless required by federal law.
Bills to Implement the Governor’s Budget Recommendations
Substitute for SB 882 AAC Climate Change Mitigation and Home Energy. CCAG supports this bill with several caveats. We believe the language needs to make clear that the zero carbon criteria includes both generation and supply. We hope that this is a drafting error and not backing away from the Governor’s commitment in his Executive Order No. 3. We also must do better in terms of bringing the benefits of renewable energy and efficiency programs to low- and moderate-income residents of Connecticut, especially renters. Efficiency needs to be at the center of our progress and these residents have been paying into these programs and have not been reaping the benefits in the manner they should.
Substitute for HB 6441 AAC Climate Change Adaptation provides municipalities with a suite of voluntary, new and better tools to fund climate resilience and other environmental projects at the local level. The bill enables municipalities to establish stormwater authorities, expand the scope of flood and erosion control boards to include climate resiliency, and adopt a local conveyance fee to fund investments in climate-resilient and green infrastructure projects. The bill also expands the scope of the Connecticut Green Bank to establish and manage an Environmental Infrastructure Fund to finance climate adaptation and resilience projects statewide.
CCAG testimony
Related news: House Bill 6441 Gives Municipalities New and Better Tools to Address Climate Change. CT Viewpoints by Amy Blaymore Paterson and Robert LaFrance- May 25, 2021
Substitute for SB 882 AAC Climate Change Mitigation and Home Energy. CCAG supports this bill with several caveats. We believe the language needs to make clear that the zero carbon criteria includes both generation and supply. We hope that this is a drafting error and not backing away from the Governor’s commitment in his Executive Order No. 3. We also must do better in terms of bringing the benefits of renewable energy and efficiency programs to low- and moderate-income residents of Connecticut, especially renters. Efficiency needs to be at the center of our progress and these residents have been paying into these programs and have not been reaping the benefits in the manner they should.
Substitute for HB 6441 AAC Climate Change Adaptation provides municipalities with a suite of voluntary, new and better tools to fund climate resilience and other environmental projects at the local level. The bill enables municipalities to establish stormwater authorities, expand the scope of flood and erosion control boards to include climate resiliency, and adopt a local conveyance fee to fund investments in climate-resilient and green infrastructure projects. The bill also expands the scope of the Connecticut Green Bank to establish and manage an Environmental Infrastructure Fund to finance climate adaptation and resilience projects statewide.
CCAG testimony
Related news: House Bill 6441 Gives Municipalities New and Better Tools to Address Climate Change. CT Viewpoints by Amy Blaymore Paterson and Robert LaFrance- May 25, 2021
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Friends, as you may know, we are proud members of the Renew New England Alliance, a coalition of grassroots organizers, racial justice organizations, labor unions, and frontline communities dedicated to winning a racial, economic, and climate justice across New England. We are so glad to have you in this work with us. These are dark times, but there’s hope up ahead. Now, let's make sure this is the year we truly win power for our communities. |
CCAG, in partnership with our friends and allies, continues to make important advances in our fight against climate change.
Through the Insure Our Future campaign, we are putting public pressure on decision makers at insurance companies to realign investments in fossil fuel projects, and instead focus on the movement towards a global transition to a low carbon economy. Together we've led actions against The Travelers, WR Berkley and The Hartford, which all currently have billion-dollar policies with fossil fuel companies, such as coal and tar sands plants. Through the actions and support of members like yourself, the insurance industry is listening and we are winning on this issue.
CCAG is also working to ensure that Connecticut state policies on climate change are bold and ambitious, and help to advance a more just, equitable and sustainable Connecticut.
Last summer, we launched our CT Renews policy platform and established policy groups to expand our coalition of activists, community leaders and game-changers. Through these groups, we established policies under Clean Energy, Housing, Transportation, Clean Air and Water, Food Justice, and Green Justice Zones. With your help, we identified key legislative champions for each policy area.
Over 40 statewide advocacy organizations are actively engaged in the CT Renews effort, with CCAG leading the effort on holding community visioning events, organizing legislative meetings and actions, and creating opportunities for a diverse alliance of leaders and activists to join together for a common vision and purpose.
If you have not already, please sign-up to be a part of our Climate Justice work, either through CT Renews or the Insure Our Future Campaign.
Through the Insure Our Future campaign, we are putting public pressure on decision makers at insurance companies to realign investments in fossil fuel projects, and instead focus on the movement towards a global transition to a low carbon economy. Together we've led actions against The Travelers, WR Berkley and The Hartford, which all currently have billion-dollar policies with fossil fuel companies, such as coal and tar sands plants. Through the actions and support of members like yourself, the insurance industry is listening and we are winning on this issue.
CCAG is also working to ensure that Connecticut state policies on climate change are bold and ambitious, and help to advance a more just, equitable and sustainable Connecticut.
Last summer, we launched our CT Renews policy platform and established policy groups to expand our coalition of activists, community leaders and game-changers. Through these groups, we established policies under Clean Energy, Housing, Transportation, Clean Air and Water, Food Justice, and Green Justice Zones. With your help, we identified key legislative champions for each policy area.
Over 40 statewide advocacy organizations are actively engaged in the CT Renews effort, with CCAG leading the effort on holding community visioning events, organizing legislative meetings and actions, and creating opportunities for a diverse alliance of leaders and activists to join together for a common vision and purpose.
If you have not already, please sign-up to be a part of our Climate Justice work, either through CT Renews or the Insure Our Future Campaign.
The is a critical time regarding the proposed 650MW Killingly Power Plant. Decisions are imminently expected on several fronts.
Send in a letter to the editor of your local paper. Let's get 20 or more letters to the editor into papers all over the state. Letters are shorter than op-eds, usually 150-200 words. Google your paper to find out how to submit a letter to the editor. Here's a link to some guidance on letters to the editor (and op-eds). If you've already written a letter to the Governor, you have the makings of a letter to the editor.
Share a post on social media EVERY DAY this week. Write your own or share one from Sierra Club Connecticut (links to Facebook and Twitter) or Sunrise Movement CT or Sunrise New Haven.
- Looking for another way to help? Here are some actions you can do from your home this week!
Send in a letter to the editor of your local paper. Let's get 20 or more letters to the editor into papers all over the state. Letters are shorter than op-eds, usually 150-200 words. Google your paper to find out how to submit a letter to the editor. Here's a link to some guidance on letters to the editor (and op-eds). If you've already written a letter to the Governor, you have the makings of a letter to the editor.
Share a post on social media EVERY DAY this week. Write your own or share one from Sierra Club Connecticut (links to Facebook and Twitter) or Sunrise Movement CT or Sunrise New Haven.
- Hashtags: #NoMoreDirtyPowerInKillingly, #StopNTE Tags: Gov Lamont: @GovNedLamont ,
- DEEP: @CTDEEPNews, Katie Dykes: @kscharfdykes
CLIMATE CHANGE 2020
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Travelers Insurance has made the naughty list... This year, Santa delivered Travelers Insurance CEO exactly what he wants for the holidays: coal. Of 30 global insurance companies examined in Insure Our Future’s 2020 scorecard, Travelers is one of only four that hasn’t taken a single step to restrict fossil fuel support. Take a look at the breakdown here: https://insurance-scorecard.com/ |
Renew CT- an newly formed alliance of environmental justice, community and labor partners- has a bold, ambitious plan calling for 100% clean, renewable energy, healthy and sustainable housing, accessible transportation, clean air and water and food justice.
- Each event will have the same program, but YOU have a choice which event will work best for you. Please RSVP here.
- Find out more about our Renew Proposals here.
- We would like to hear from you about these proposals. Please take a moment to take our Renew Survey.
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Please share the video far and wide to let insurance companies in CT know we are just getting started.
Retweet the video here Share the video on Facebook here |
As a state-wide organization, CCAG and our members have an unique opportunity to move major U.S. insurers out of fossil fuels, and into a sustainable future. Local climate activists have stepped up over this past year to call these destructive practices out. View the video to see what together, we've accomplished so far this year. Together we have made it very clear to companies Travelers Insurance, The Hartford, and WR Berkley we are out of time. Want to take action with the campaign in the future? Join the CT IOF email list to be kept up to date on these and other issues and actions. These companies must stop insuring fossil fuels in order to #InsureOurFuture. Let's make sure they know we are ready to hold them accountable. |
Make your voice heard TODAY! The Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) will be accepting written public comments until Wednesday, October 21st @ 11:59 PM. Please submit your comments to: deep.climatechange@ct.gov.
You can review the Working Group Draft Reports here.
CCAG urges activists to highlight some of the below issues:
You can review the Working Group Draft Reports here.
CCAG urges activists to highlight some of the below issues:
- Prioritize equity in all recommendations of this workgroup.
- Ensure funding for low-income equitable access
- Requirements for insurance companies- read more
- Reintroduce and enact SB 345
THE RIDE TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE 2020 Campaign extended! Our deadline has passed but you can still help.
Thank you to everyone who participated in CCAG's Cycle4CT Challenge. We are at 147% of goal & have raised $7,372 . That resource is hard at work as you read this.
Announcement of the winners & wrap up of the Challenge can be viewed here!
Your contributions at work: CCAG is part of a coalition of over a dozen CT groups called The Insure Our Future campaign. (IOF) is a part of an international coalition called Stop the Money Pipeline, which is over 91 organizations strong, all calling for climate and environmental justice.
Thank you to everyone who participated in CCAG's Cycle4CT Challenge. We are at 147% of goal & have raised $7,372 . That resource is hard at work as you read this.
Announcement of the winners & wrap up of the Challenge can be viewed here!
Your contributions at work: CCAG is part of a coalition of over a dozen CT groups called The Insure Our Future campaign. (IOF) is a part of an international coalition called Stop the Money Pipeline, which is over 91 organizations strong, all calling for climate and environmental justice.
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Connecticut is known as "The Insurance Capital of the World." However, the same insurance companies that operate in our backyard, are investing billions in the fossil fuel industry. Local climate activists have stepped up over this past year to call these destructive practices out.
Here are a few highlights of some of the work that has been accomplished so far, there is so much more to come in the days, months & year ahead. Please take the time to join the dedicated Cycle4CT donors and riders in supporting this work, together we all win! |
Would you like your voice heard on Eversource’s electricity rate increases and poor restoration after Tropical Storm Isaias? Submit an email with your testimony before the hearing on Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 here: ETTestimony@cga.ct.gov #TakeBackOurGrid
The outrageous recent rate increase and failed storm response points to fundamental problems with our electric utilities. The situation demands real accountability and structural changes..
View CCAG Executive Director, Tom Swan's testimony here
The outrageous recent rate increase and failed storm response points to fundamental problems with our electric utilities. The situation demands real accountability and structural changes..
View CCAG Executive Director, Tom Swan's testimony here
An important conversation Connecticut needs to have right now is Environmental Justice.
Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion on August 26th. Special thanks to our guest speakers Representative Geraldo Reyes Jr., Taylor Mayes of CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, and Doris Johnson, from the Office of Environmental Justice at DEEP.
If you missed the conversation you can view it here. If you are interested in getting involved sign up here
Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion on August 26th. Special thanks to our guest speakers Representative Geraldo Reyes Jr., Taylor Mayes of CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, and Doris Johnson, from the Office of Environmental Justice at DEEP.
If you missed the conversation you can view it here. If you are interested in getting involved sign up here
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Environmental activists gather in Greenwich CT with pipeline and hazmat suits to bring to light W.R. Berkley's involvement with the Trans Mountain tar sands pipeline. W. R. Berkley must stop insuring the #TMXpipeline! #InsureOurFuture #NoTMX |
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Nights before The Hartford 2020 annual meeting, CT Activists got creative and projected a message for Michael Morris aka The New Face of Climate Change. View the video to see what they had to say. Tell The Hartford that Morris’s position on the board undermines the company's credibility to take meaningful steps away from insuring and investing in fossil fuels Sign the Petition Here |
CCAG and Sierra Club CT hosts a virtual 2020 Earth Day March for Accountability. Over 300 people tuned in to learn more about the Insure our Future campaign and urge major insurance companies here in Connecticut to stop backing fossil fuels. If you missed it, you can watch the livestream here.
During the march we left dozens and dozens of voicemails for Traveler's CEO, Alan Schnitzer, to urge him to insure our future by cutting ties with the fossil fuel industry. You can still take action to let Travelers know how important this issue is. Our call tool is still live!
Travelers has over $3.5 Billion invested in fossil fuels, and zero policies in place that address fossil fuel insuring or investing.
By using this call tool, you can leave messages for Patrick Linehan, VP of Corporate Communications and/or their general assistance line. We are urging Travelers to sell off its fossil fuel assets, stop insuring fossil fuels and align its business within the guidelines of the Paris global climate agreement.
Thank you for all you do and for working with us to stop the money pipeline. Read the report here.
During the march we left dozens and dozens of voicemails for Traveler's CEO, Alan Schnitzer, to urge him to insure our future by cutting ties with the fossil fuel industry. You can still take action to let Travelers know how important this issue is. Our call tool is still live!
Travelers has over $3.5 Billion invested in fossil fuels, and zero policies in place that address fossil fuel insuring or investing.
By using this call tool, you can leave messages for Patrick Linehan, VP of Corporate Communications and/or their general assistance line. We are urging Travelers to sell off its fossil fuel assets, stop insuring fossil fuels and align its business within the guidelines of the Paris global climate agreement.
Thank you for all you do and for working with us to stop the money pipeline. Read the report here.
2020 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA PRE-COVID
ENVIRONMENT
Restricting PFAS Chemicals. Research has linked these toxic “forever” chemicals to various types of cancer, reproductive and childhood development problems, immune system issues, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.
The Public Health Committee has raised a bill to limit food packaging and food service ware that contains PFAS. It also limits polystyrene, which we support. We'll have a short window to prepare for a public hearing and provide testimony.
Modernizing the Bottle Bill: Connecticut’s bottle bill is a critical piece of our state’s recycling infrastructure. The program carries multiple economic and environmental benefits for our state, including saving municipalities millions, and preventing pollution that threatens our waterways, open spaces, and climate. Modernizing the program would go a long way toward increasing the efficiency and quality of recycling in Connecticut, creating green jobs, and cleaning up our communities, all while saving taxpayer money. Connecticut lawmakers have waited far too long to address these important issues, and as a result, recycling in our state has suffered. We need to expand and modernize Connecticut’s bottle bill and make it a top priority for the 2020 regular legislative session.
CLIMATE
No New Fossil Fuel Plants: Despite the legislature passing strong greenhouse gas reduction targets in the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act, and more recently with Governor Lamont setting a goal of 100% carbon free electricity by 2040, significant action to reduce fossil fuel generation has not followed. In June, a new gas-burning power plant was approved for construction in Killingly. To date, the Governor and the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) have not taken steps to reduce our reliance on natural gas.
#StopTheMoneyPipeline: In January, a coalition of over a dozen groups launched Stop the Money Pipeline: a major new mobilization targeting the financial sectors responsible for the funding of climate chaos.
Here in Hartford, we are in the insurance capital of the world, and we have a unique opportunity to move major U.S. insurers out of fossil fuels.
Connecticut based insurers are all sensitive to public opinion, with brands to protect and customers to retain. When we unveil their complicity in the destruction of our climate, we threaten their profits and their ability to attract customers. The more we increase their reputational risk, the more we increase their financial risk of continuing to support new fossil fuel projects and deforestation. We are currently mobilizing for a major event on April 23rd, and for Earth Week’s youth-led climate strikes.
Restricting PFAS Chemicals. Research has linked these toxic “forever” chemicals to various types of cancer, reproductive and childhood development problems, immune system issues, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.
The Public Health Committee has raised a bill to limit food packaging and food service ware that contains PFAS. It also limits polystyrene, which we support. We'll have a short window to prepare for a public hearing and provide testimony.
Modernizing the Bottle Bill: Connecticut’s bottle bill is a critical piece of our state’s recycling infrastructure. The program carries multiple economic and environmental benefits for our state, including saving municipalities millions, and preventing pollution that threatens our waterways, open spaces, and climate. Modernizing the program would go a long way toward increasing the efficiency and quality of recycling in Connecticut, creating green jobs, and cleaning up our communities, all while saving taxpayer money. Connecticut lawmakers have waited far too long to address these important issues, and as a result, recycling in our state has suffered. We need to expand and modernize Connecticut’s bottle bill and make it a top priority for the 2020 regular legislative session.
CLIMATE
No New Fossil Fuel Plants: Despite the legislature passing strong greenhouse gas reduction targets in the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act, and more recently with Governor Lamont setting a goal of 100% carbon free electricity by 2040, significant action to reduce fossil fuel generation has not followed. In June, a new gas-burning power plant was approved for construction in Killingly. To date, the Governor and the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) have not taken steps to reduce our reliance on natural gas.
#StopTheMoneyPipeline: In January, a coalition of over a dozen groups launched Stop the Money Pipeline: a major new mobilization targeting the financial sectors responsible for the funding of climate chaos.
Here in Hartford, we are in the insurance capital of the world, and we have a unique opportunity to move major U.S. insurers out of fossil fuels.
Connecticut based insurers are all sensitive to public opinion, with brands to protect and customers to retain. When we unveil their complicity in the destruction of our climate, we threaten their profits and their ability to attract customers. The more we increase their reputational risk, the more we increase their financial risk of continuing to support new fossil fuel projects and deforestation. We are currently mobilizing for a major event on April 23rd, and for Earth Week’s youth-led climate strikes.
Join the Fairfield County Collaborative for an evening of learning, sharing & action about making bold Green New Deal policy a reality at the CT General Assembly in 2020.
CT Advocates & Legislators are fighting for a REAL Green New Deal for CT which include a 100% Clean Renewable Energy Future, a strong focus on Environmental Justice, and a 100% Just Transition.
Find out how you can become involved in Fairfield County and make a difference- for our environment- and our future. RSVP today!
Speaker: Larry Williams Jr- Coordinator for the National Labor and Economic Justice Program, Sierra Club
This is a free event. Light dinner provided. Childcare available. RSVP today!
Sponsors of this event: CCAG, Sierra Club CT, Democracy for CT, CT Clean Water Action, CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, Norwalk River Watershed Association.
Click here for a flyer to share.
CT Advocates & Legislators are fighting for a REAL Green New Deal for CT which include a 100% Clean Renewable Energy Future, a strong focus on Environmental Justice, and a 100% Just Transition.
Find out how you can become involved in Fairfield County and make a difference- for our environment- and our future. RSVP today!
Speaker: Larry Williams Jr- Coordinator for the National Labor and Economic Justice Program, Sierra Club
This is a free event. Light dinner provided. Childcare available. RSVP today!
Sponsors of this event: CCAG, Sierra Club CT, Democracy for CT, CT Clean Water Action, CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, Norwalk River Watershed Association.
Click here for a flyer to share.
Notice of Public Meeting of the Governor's Council on Climate Change (GC3)
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 1:30 PM – 3:30 p.m. Legislative Office Building, Room 2C 210 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 So much is at stake, we urge you to submit your testimony and/or attend the public meeting in person or online. (Seating is limited). See registration and other details here
2019 LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES AND MORE WORK TO DO ON CLIMATE- updated June 25th
CLIMATE & ENERGY This bill includes a fix for the 2018 energy bill that had solar net metering on track for elimination, threatening the industry as well as hundreds of jobs. While CCAG and allies are not thrilled with all aspects of the bill, the fix on net metering is critical and does at least move us in the right direction on renewable energy. PASSED! SB 753, AAC The State Wide Ban on Fracking Waste. After six years, a three-year moratorium, and 58 local fracking waste ban ordinances, we have legislation that will permanently ban fracking waste in Connecticut! While the bill had a preemption clause added in the Senate, which negates the authority of municipalities to enact their current ordinance, passage of SB 753 brings the same protections to all 169 towns. PASSED! HB 7156, Offshore Wind. After months of effective advocacy by you and so many allies, offshore wind power will become a reality for Connecticut. We become the first state to mandate project labor agreements and prevailing wages for all offshore wind projects. The bill also includes some of the strongest environmental protections for marine life, ecosystems and commercial fishing in the nation. MORE WORK TO DO ON CLIMATE Energy Efficiency Funds. Through your electric bill, you pay for programs that lower energy waste and expense, and spur home-grown jobs. In 2017, the legislature raided $145 million of your funds to balance the budget. The initial diversion occurred in June 2018. This decision resulted in lost jobs, business uncertainty, missed opportunities to reduce bills for working families, lost opportunities to lower carbon emissions as well as air and water pollution, and diminished trust in state leaders. The good news is that the new budget does not include any new diversions of these ratepayer funds for at least the next two years; the bad news is that neither the legislature nor the Governor have taken any action to stop the upcoming $54 million diversion scheduled for July. We remain vigilant. SB 232, AAC The Allowable Percentage of Leakage from Gas Pipelines. This bill didn’t move forward but collective advocacy prompted legislators to hand this over to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The CT Sierra Club and the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs have been approved as participants in the proceedings for the dockets at PURA. The following issues will be addressed:
These issues generally fit within the scope of Docket No. 18-03-28, which will be addressed by PURA. We will be monitoring and revisiting this issue with any requests that are not passed in next session. FINAL DAYS OF THE 2019 SESSION - UPDATES AND ACTION - Updated May 31st HB 5002 AAC A Green New Economy and Environmental Protection. This bill includes a fix for the 2018 energy bill that had solar net metering on track for elimination, threatening the industry and hundreds of jobs. While CCAG and allies are not thrilled with all aspects of the bill, the fix on net metering is critical and does at least move us in the right direction on renewable energy. ACTION! Contact your State Senator to support HB 5002. Related news: CT Mirror- It's not easy being green Stop the Raid on Clean Energy Funds. Through your electric bill, you pay into a clean energy fund for programs that lower energy waste and expense, and spur the economy. In 2018 $145 million of this fund was diverted to plug a hole in the budget. In June an additional $54 million is scheduled to go into the general fund. The Governor and legislature can STOP THIS RAID. ACTION! Call and demand- “Stop the June diversion of our clean energy funds. This is ratepayer money and we want it to serve its intended purpose.” SB 753 AAC The State-Wide Ban on Fracking Waste. After six years, a three-year moratorium and 58 local fracking waste bans, we have legislation that would permanently ban fracking waste in Connecticut! This bill passed the Senate and may be voted on today. ACTION! Contact your State Reps. tell them to vote Yes on SB 753 to keep this toxic waste out of our state. Please contact your decision makers to tell them to support the issues you care about. Calls are best but email is ok too. Don’t know who your legislator is? Go to www.cga.ct.gov Governor Lamont Phone: 800-406-1527 - Email the Governor here Senate Democrats: 1-800-842-1420 Senate Republicans: 1-800-842-1421 House Democrats: 1-800-842-8267 House Republicans: 1-800-842-8270 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Climate Change Priorities for 2019 SAVING AND STRENGTHENING SOLAR ENERGY IN CONNECTICUT HB 7251 AN ACT CONCERNING LONG-TERM CONTRACTS FOR CERTAIN CLASS I GENERATION PROJECTS AND THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INVESTMENT PROGRAM AND REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE VALUE OF SOLAR. In 2018 Governor Malloy and the legislature passed legislation that would eliminate net metering for solar users and threatening the solar industry in Connecticut and hundreds of jobs. CCAG and our allies have fought back, and the Energy and Technology Committee passed a proposal that amended some aspects of the 2018 law. However, the changes do not go far enough, and we need to continue to push for improvements as the bill moves forward. The bill currently requires electric distribution companies to solicit and file with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority long-term contracts with owners or developers of certain Class I generation projects (net metering) for an additional year, (2) increases the total potential deployment pursuant to the residential solar investment program to four hundred megawatts, and (3) requires a study of the value of solar, which CCAG strongly supports. We continue to fight to improve the language and protect solar jobs in Connecticut. HB 7156 AAC PROCUREMENT OF ENERGY DERIVED FROM OFFSHORE WIND The expanded use of Wind Energy can help us move to our clean energy goals and help to create hundreds of good paying jobs in Connecticut. The Energy and technology Committee has advanced a version of the legislation that was an improvement from the earlier version. CCAG is still supporting a mandate of 2,000 MW of wind energy and some increased environmental protections. Discussions are continuing with Committee leadership and officials with the Lamont administration. HB 5002 AAC DEVELOPMENT OF A GREEN NEW ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION While introduced as a shell bill, advocates have been crafting components and are in the process of sharing these concepts with legislative leaders. The key points include:
CCAG will continue to advocate for this bill to live up to its title and to ensure that it plays a key role in helping Connecticut meet the goal of being a zero-carbon state by 2050. As details become available we will share them. ENDING FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCY CCAG and our allies are looking to advance policies that will lessen our dependence on fossil fuels, including natural gas and free up resources for a truly green solution. This includes SB 232 AAC THE ALLOWABLE PERCENTAGE OF LEAKAGE FROM GAS PIPELINES – this bill will keep communities safer, lessen the release of very harmful methane gas, and save ratepayers money by not allowing gas companies to charge ratepayers for lost gas; SB 753 AAC THE STATE-WIDE BAN ON FRACKING WASTE was voted out of the Environment Committee and builds off the great work in over 55 municipalities to ban fracking waste, and HB 6242 AN ACT PROHIBITING SURCHARGES FROM BEING LEVIED ON UTILITY CUSTOMERS TO SUBSIDIZE INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CAPACITY CCAG opposed giving PURA the ability to tax electric users to pay for interstate gas pipelines. The other states that this scheme is predicated on have rejected the pipeline. Since the basis to give PURA the ability to levy the tax no longer exist the legislature should rescind PURA’s authorization to tax electrical workers because the pipeline is not currently feasible and if built would increase our dependence on fossil fuels. ENERGY EFFICIENCY In order to address the budget deficit in 2018, the legislature raided clean energy funds including the Energy Efficiency Fund. The state is slated to raid another $54 million in June despite running up very large surpluses. Since no legislative committees have voted out legislation to date we are focusing attention on Governor Lamont and urging him to call on the legislature to block the upcoming raid. Efficiency efforts have to be central to achieving our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 and the raids have threatened thousands of jobs. |
WE RESIST. WE BUILD. WE RISE.
On the 100th day of Trump's presidency more than 300,000 people in Washington DC and across the country joined together in a powerful demonstration of unity for jobs, justice and climate action.
Since then, we have charted a different path forward: away from Trump’s agenda of a cruel, polluted, and divided country, and towards a clean energy economy that works for everyone. #climatemarch
On the 100th day of Trump's presidency more than 300,000 people in Washington DC and across the country joined together in a powerful demonstration of unity for jobs, justice and climate action.
Since then, we have charted a different path forward: away from Trump’s agenda of a cruel, polluted, and divided country, and towards a clean energy economy that works for everyone. #climatemarch
CCAG Comments Made to DEEP Concerning the Draft "Comprehensive Energy Strategy," or CES.
Delivered on September 25, 2017 by Executive Director Tom Swan.
Go to "Home" on the menus above to see how to get your own opinion to DEEP before the final CES is issued.
Delivered on September 25, 2017 by Executive Director Tom Swan.
Go to "Home" on the menus above to see how to get your own opinion to DEEP before the final CES is issued.
ANOTHER WAY
TO HELP CCAG:
RECYCLE WITH
PLANET GREEN!