Connecticut
Governor
Ned Lamont (Democrat)
House Party
Democratic Majority
Senate Party
Democratic Majority
Key Offices & Links
31
31
Northeast
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted
- In-progress
- Partially Enacted
- Not Enacted
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Connecticut
Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | YR Enacted | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enacted |
Empty column
Building a Low Carbon Future for Connecticut Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2018 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Governor's Council on Climate Change Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2019 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Climate bureaucracy consists of dedicated climate offices and staff, interagency working groups, task forces, and other bodies made up of government staff. These bodies are often responsible for writing a state's climate plan and implementing the policies and strategies identified to meet its climate targets. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
45% by 2030 | 80% by 2050 Relative to 2001 levels Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2018 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in April 2024. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2024 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Allows the state to deny or impose specific conditions on permits for new construction and operation of proposed industrial facilities based on a determination that cumulative environmental or public health stressors on EJ communities near the proposed facility are higher than other communities in the state. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council Equity and Environmental Justice Working Group Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
DEEP – Environmental Justice Program Staff Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
"Environmental justice communities" are census block groups where at least 30% of the population is living below 200% of the federal poverty level, or municipalities that are the most fiscally and economically distressed, based on tax base, personal income, and residents' need for public services. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2012 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Connecticut EJ Screening Tool Connecticut EJ Communities Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2023 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition advisory bodies write or advise on a state's just transition plan or report, and make recommendations on ways to support affected workers, communities, and industries. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition offices and staff assist workers and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction and use, typically through retraining programs and support with relocation and economic diversification. Offices and staff also coordinate with other state agencies to effectively design policy to achieve a just transition. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Connecticut Green Bank Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Climate Finance | 2011 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) covers the electricity sector. Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | 2005 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
The social cost of carbon is a monetary estimate of the damage of each ton of greenhouse gases emitted. The social cost of carbon is used to quantify and monetize climate damages, representing the net economic cost of climate pollution to society. |
Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | ||
Enacted |
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2018 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Clean energy plans are documents that outline the policies and strategies states can implement to meet clean energy targets. Draft plans are often published first, and after a period of public comments and revisions, a final plan is released. |
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | ||
Enacted |
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2022 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Community choice aggregation allows local governments to procure power on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts from an alternative supplier while still receiving transmission and distribution service from their existing utility provider. |
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
5/5
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Partially Enacted |
Empty column
The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
7/11
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Partially Enacted |
Empty column
The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
4/6
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
300 megawatts (MW) of energy storage by 2024, 650 MW by 2027, and 1,000 MW by December 31, 2030 Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2021 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Connecticut received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2023 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Coal phaseouts establish a target year by which states must end coal-fired power generation. |
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Coal securitization is a financing tool that allows utility companies to refinance debt they issued to build coal plants and close the facilities early without taking a financial hit or passing costs on to ratepayers. |
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2021 IECC with amendments. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2022 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Small Product and Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards apply to 21 products. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | 2011 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Building performance standards establish energy and/or greenhouse gas performance targets for existing buildings in a state. These targets increase in stringency over time, leading to efficiency improvements in buildings to conserve energy and reduce emissions. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Clean heat standards establish a performance standard requiring heat providers to deliver a gradually-increasing percentage of low-emission heating services to customers. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Electric utilities are required to achieve energy savings of 524 gigawatt hours (GWh) for 2022-2024. Gas utilities are required to achieve energy savings of 1,424 million cubic feet (MMcf) for 2022-2024. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Connecticut has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation and has active programs. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2012 | |
Partially Enacted |
Empty column
The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
3/4
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
All-electric buildings policies require new buildings to be constructed with all-electric heating, cooling, and cooking systems to transition away from fossil-fuel use in buildings. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Electrification | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) Program offers rebates for new and used electric vehicles (EVs): up to $4,250 for new battery EVs, $2,250 for plug-in hybrid EVs, and $9,500 for fuel cell EVs. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2020 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Connecticut LEV Program Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2018 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Model Year (MY) 2025: 22% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2018 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Low NOx Omnibus Rules establish stringent tailpipe emission standards for heavy duty vehicles, updated testing procedures, and technology-neutral compliance mechanisms to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) pollution. The regulation must be adopted first by California, and other states may adopt the regulation under the federal Clean Air Act. |
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | ||
In-Progress |
Empty column
DEEP is authorized to adopt California's medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle standards Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | 2022 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle rebates consist of programs and policies that offer rebates to make MHD electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state. |
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
30% of new school buses purchased by the state are zero-emission and 100% of school buses in EJ communities are zero-emission by 2030 | 100% of school buses are zero-emission by 2040 Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Lead by Example | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
50% of state-purchased cars and light-duty trucks are EVs by 2026 | 75% are EVs by 2028 | 100% are EVs by 2030 Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Lead by Example | 2022 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure rebates offer rebates to make the purchase and/or installation costs of EV charging infrastructure more affordable. |
Transportation
|
EV Charging Infrastructure | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements establish mandates for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in new construction or developments, such as residential or commercial buildings, and public parking lots. |
Transportation
|
EV Charging Infrastructure | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Electric Vehicle Roadmap for Connecticut Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | 2020 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. |
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | ||
In-Progress |
Empty column
The state must establish transportation emissions reduction targets by 2030 and develop a plan to meet the targets, which includes recommendations for legislation needed to implement such targets. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Connecticut is ranked 20th out of 50 in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State rankings by the League of American Bicyclists. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
5/5
|
Transportation
|
Public and Active Transportation | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Buy clean requirements mandate or incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as concrete and steel, in public projects to address embodied carbon. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Industrial Decarbonization | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulations include phasedown commitments, rulemakings, disclosure requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce HFC usage and emissions. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
F-gas Regulations | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
F-gas Regulations | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Fracking bans prohibit the practice of hydraulic fracking for the production of oil and/or natural gas by a certain year. Legislation often requires an environmental agency or department to promulgate regulations. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Oil and Gas Regulations | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Oil and gas methane regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, leak detection and repair, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Oil and Gas Regulations | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Food waste ban – The state requires commercial waste generators to recycle organic materials at authorized composting facilities, provided they generate at least 26 tons of food waste per year and are within 20 miles of a permitted recycling facility. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Waste Management | 2021 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Landfill methane regulations include rulemakings, emissions monitoring, emissions control, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from decaying organic waste in landfills. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Waste Management | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Agriculture financial incentives support healthy soils and regenerative agriculture. Incentives may include reduced crop insurance premiums, property tax exemptions, grants, or cost-share programs. |
Natural and Working Lands
|
Agriculture | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Agriculture technical assistance programs provide state-driven technical assistance, apprenticeship and mentorship programs, and support securing additional funding for farmers to increase uptake of soil health practices. |
Natural and Working Lands
|
Agriculture |