Connecticut Takes Big Step Toward Reducing Carbon Emissions
When House Democrats voted Friday to pass SB 4, An Act Concerning The Connecticut Clean Air Act, we took a big step toward reducing carbon emissions.
The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (38%) and of asthma-causing air emissions (67%) in our state.
This legislation:
- Improves air quality by reducing the allowable emissions emitted by medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
- Invests in the transition to electric and zero-emission state vehicles, school and transit buses
- Makes it easier for consumers to reduce their carbon footprint through increased access to rebates and vouchers to buy electric vehicles through programs like CHEAPR
- Assists municipalities and businesses with the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations
- Equalizes the registration fee for electric vehicles with all other motor vehicles and establishes a voucher program for the purchase of electric bicycles
Connecticut residents deserve clean air, but transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to worsening air quality. Investing and encouraging economywide electric vehicle distribution is needed to reduce these emissions, and ultimately improve air quality.