State Reps. Christine Conley (D-Groton, Ledyard), Joe de la Cruz (D-Groton, New London) and myself are pleased with Connecticut’s commitment to develop State Pier in New London.

Preserving open space is preserving our present quality of life as well as that of future generations that’s why it’s important to make conservation a part of the conversation of our daily lives. Open space is a limited resource and, if we do not protect it, it can be lost forever so it is all of our responsibility to do everything we can to protect it.

Joining me for this installment of Turco Talk Time is Sierra Club volunteer and Newington resident Noah Cross to talk about climate change and the importance of supporting initiatives to help protect the environment.

Today I joined Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, members of the city's state and federal delegations, representatives from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to announce $3.3 million in state funds for the ongoing work at the abandoned Anamet site (17.5 acres on the Naugatuck River) in Waterbury.

I started this busy legislative week by voting on two cannabis related bills in the General Law Committee.

As Vice Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, I am happy to share with you two important off shore wind measures moved out of committee.

SB 875, An Act Expanding Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Energy Portfolio, would expand offshore wind energy and HB 7156, An Act Concerning The Procurement Of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind, would authorize the procurement of energy derived from offshore wind.

Rep. Gregg Haddad praises Mansfield Middle School students who joined other youths around the globe to raise awareness of climate change. “Students are the most important constituency for this,” Haddad told them. “We understand that you’re going to be living in this world long after us and the decisions we’re making today will be very impactful on your lives.”

The state took its first step in potentially introducing a Green New Deal to invest in renewable energy and green technology. House Bill 5002, An Act Concerning the Development of a Green New Deal, came before the Energy and Technology Committee for a Public Hearing.