CONNECTICUT CLIMATE COALITION RELEASES GLOBAL WARMING REPORT TO "CLOSE THE GAP"

CALLS ON GOVERNOR RELL TO APPOINT DEP COMMISSIONER WHO WILL KEEP GLOBAL WARMING A TOP PRIORITY

(Hartford) - Today Clean Water Action and the Connecticut Climate Coalition, a coalition of over 80 organizations representing more than 500,000 Connecticut residents, released the report "Connecticut Responds to Global Warming: An Analysis of Connecticut's Emission Reduction Goals, Current Strategies, and Opportunities for Progress," which outlines the next steps the state needs to take to address global warming. As Governor Rell prepares to appoint a new Commissioner to head the Department of Environmental Protection, the coalition of health, faith, business, and environmental groups urges the governor to ensure global warming remains a top priority for the state.

Roger Smith, program associate for Clean Water Action and outreach coordinator of the Connecticut Climate Coalition, explained, "This report shows how Connecticut can do its part to reduce global warming pollution through innovative transportation and energy strategies. We present this report to Governor Rell and the incoming Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner to assist them in creating a state global warming plan, and as a gesture of our willingness to work together on key environmental and public health issues."

Closing the Gap- How Connecticut Can Meet its Obligations on Global Warming
Last spring, member groups of the Connecticut Climate Coalition successfully passed Public Act 04-252, An Act Concerning Climate Change, committing the state to reach regional goals for reducing global warming pollution. The 55 recommendations supported by the stakeholders in the 2003 Climate Change Dialogue (http://www.ctclimatechange.com/ct_action_plan.html) are a strong first step towards these reductions, but even if all are implemented, they fall short of the pollution reduction needed to reach the goals.

The new analysis in "Connecticut Responds to Global Warming" demonstrates how Connecticut can reach the short-term greenhouse gas reduction goals by adopting eight innovative policies, and offers additional strategies the state could pursue to reach the medium-term goals. Many of the recommendations are expansions of widely-supported stakeholder recommendations. This report represents one of many possible ways that Connecticut can meet its goal to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

Roger Smith commented, "The progress that has been made brings us to the end of the planning stage, as now it's time to take real action on global warming. To this end, Governor Rell needs to appoint a new DEP Commissioner who will provide strong leadership for the agency in implementing these policies."

Highlighted Strategies from "Connecticut Responds to Global Warming"

Support Energy Efficiency Programs (Recommendations 1-3)
Derek Murrow, Policy Analyst, Environment Northeast: "The State of Connecticut has some of the most cost-effective electricity conservation programs in the country, but their funding was recently slashed. The electricity Conservation and Load Management Fund needs to have its funding expanded in order to achieve the $1.8 billion in potential savings and the avoidance of 900 megawatts of new power plant construction, recently identified by the Energy Conservation Management Board. The successful conservation programs in the electricity sector should also be used as a model for new programs to reduce the consumption of natural gas and heating oil. The expansion of conservation programs for homes, business, and industry will significantly reduce emissions while saving the Connecticut economy millions if not billions of dollars"

Reduce Pollution from Transportation Sources (Recommendations 4,5)
Charles Rothenberger , Legal Fellow, Connecticut Fund for the Environment: "Connecticut should encourage greater motor vehicle efficiency and provide incentives for driving less including "pay-as-you-drive" automobile insurance, in which insurance rates are calculated by the mile. This innovative policy, which is already underway in several states, would reward people who drive less by lowering their insurance, while reducing global warming emissions, and potentially reducing accidents."

Reduce Global Warming Emissions from Electricity Generation and Promote Clean Energy Production (Recommendations 7,8)
Brooke Suter, CT Director, Clean Water Action: "Connecticut is currently working with nine other northeastern states from Maine to Delaware to develop a regional cap on carbon dioxide pollution from power plants. This initiative, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, provides an opportunity to start moving towards clean energy to meet the region's energy needs. Connecticut must work to ensure that this process results in real pollution reductions and does not give nuclear power and its radioactive pollution a place in a clean energy future."