The governor of Connecticut signed legislation aimed at addressing climate change, likely increasing costs for residents in a state that already suffer from the highest energy bills in the country.
Outgoing Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy, a Democrat, signed two bills into law on Wednesday, one addressing greenhouse gas emissions and the other regulating energy production.
Public Act 18-82 calls for reducing the state’s carbon emissions 45 percent by 2030, compared to 2001 levels.
Public Act 18-50, also signed by Malloy, mandates that 40 percent of Connecticut’s electricity originate from renewable energy. This new law doubles the states’ renewable energy portfolio, which previously stood at 20 percent.
“While President Trump, EPA Administrator Pruitt, and their Republican allies in Washington roll back critical environmental protections, Connecticut is stepping up,” Malloy said in a statement Wednesday. “These two new laws demonstrate, once again, Connecticut’s determination and leadership in combating climate change to keep our planet and residents safe, all while still being economically advantageous.”
The bills, however, have become law at a time when Connecticut already produces low rates of carbon emissions, and residents suffer from exorbitant energy costs.
No coal plants exist in Connecticut, nor does the state produce petroleum or natural gas, according to the Energy Information Administration.
The vast majority of the electricity consumed is produced by nuclear power, renewables or is transported from out of state. This setup has allowed Connecticut to be ranked as the seventh most green state in the country.
Such a low-emissions energy market doesn’t come without its consequences.
Connecticut earned the distinction in 2017 of being the most expensive state in the country for energy costs — beating out its New England neighbors that are also high on the list. Connecticut residents, the analysis found, paid on average $380 per month in energy costs — a whopping $48 more per month than residents in the second most expensive state.
Many green groups still expressed displeasure with the legislation signed by Malloy. Namely, environmental advocates and the solar lobby complained of a provision in one bill that reforms the state’s net metering program, which establishes a new flat rate for solar power.
“Everyone deserves the choice to lower their electric bills, especially low-income and middle-class homeowners, who are most likely to lose solar access,” read a statement from a coalition group that included Environment Connecticut and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group. “[The law] is a major step backward for solar energy in Connecticut [and] jeopardizes hundreds of solar jobs and the ability of residents and businesses to generate and use their own clean power.”
Connecticut also boasts another distinction: their governor is the most unpopular governor in the country. Morning Consult released a survey in April of the most and least popular governors in the country. Making the bottom of the list was Malloy, who touted a disapproval rating of 72 percent.
The ardently anti-Trump governor announced in April that he would not be running for re-election.
Read more at Daily Caller
Someone should tell that moron that there hasn’t been any global warming for 20 years while C02 has been predictably increasing which in itself disproves the anthropogenic global warming theory. I guess he relies on the opinions of the world-renowned climate scientist Prince Al Gore for his information.
Outgoing Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy believes that CO2 is a pollutant, which it isn’t.
He also believes that CO2 causes global warming, which it doesn’t And his ignorance causes Connecticut families to boost they’re already too large electric bills to ridiculous extremes. And for what? For nothing. His actions when implemented will do absolutely nothing to reduce global warming. Watch and see. You’ll find out that I’m right.
Well said there will be no effect on climate. Connecticut is well on the way to becoming a miniature California. Residents will soon realize that “virtue taxing” is a disaster. As difficult as it may be residents will have to decide to leave or stay –is living in Connecticut worth the cost? Ask a former Californian.
David, John, all the stupidity of politicians is based on the equally stupid climate ‘scientists who have sold their souls for money. There is not one scientific reason for carbon dioxide to warm the atmosphere more than the Sun can do, yet the gravy train of AGW thunders on as if nothing can stop it. Here are two essays that explain in easy-to-grasp details what it’s all about:
http://ilovemycarbondioxide.com/pdf/Clever_or_Dumb.pdf and
http://ilovemycarbondioxide.com/pdf/Stupidity.pdf
“The bills, however, have become law at a time when Connecticut already produces low rates of carbon emissions”
I wish that in articles like this writers would stop using the term “carbon” when they mean carbon dioxide. CO2 is not a pollutant (life on earth as we know it would not exist without it) and it is a trace gas in our atmosphere, making up less than 420ppm. We are still in a deficit of CO2 compared to much of the earth’s history. Plants love more CO2, not less.
A typical democrat Tax and Spend type raise everyone’s taxes these Dirty Democrats him and his vile kind need banished from America along with the Useless Nations
Is this guy related to Gov. Moonbeam Brown of CA? His idiotic policies are as bad as Moonbeam’s policies.
Thank goodness for the residents of CT this guy won’t be seeking a re-election.
“Thank goodness for the residents of CT this guy won’t be seeking a re-election.”
Yes. But CT residents seem willing to quadruple down on another moonbeamer. “A Hartford-based public affairs and lobbying firm, says that 26 percent chose the generic “Democratic candidate’’ for governor as their top choice”
Agree but what are the chances he’ll be replaced with someone any better. Look at Calif–Moonbeam will undoubtedly be replaced with far-left winger Newsome.
Public Act 18-82 and Public Act 18-50 has Connecticut following in the foot steps of Germany. These acts are very similar Germany’s goals which have resulted in a disaster under its energiewende. This should serve as a lesson to Dan Malloy, but liberals are incapable of learning from the mistakes of others if the lesson doesn’t support their agenda.
Some of this may be reaction to Trumps withdrawing from the Paris Treaty. In a backlash reaction liberals are making bad decisions for areas that they control.
There is a difference between Connecticut and Germany. In Germany, it is the entire nation in a community of nations that are also suffering from their effort to reduce carbon dioxide emission. Connecticut is one state among 50 states where many are not making stupid decisions for climate change. Someone in Connecticut will hear from their sister in Montana and high school best friend in Texas on how gas and electric power are so much cheaper in other states. This will likely result in voting in a governor and legislator that will rescind the bad decisions.
Ontario just voted out the Liberals. The Liberal party now consists of 7 squatters in Queens Park, not enough for “official party status” , ie no funding for their expenses!
The USA now has Trump, Ontario now has Doug Ford. The Left brought this humiliation on themselves.
Hitler was a big time enviromentalists type he would fit in with these Eco-Wackos like Greenpeace who one of its origional founders Patrick Moore quit Greenpeace when it became way too radical