With just a month left in 海角换妻鈥檚 legislative session and major climate legislation last year still fresh, lawmakers are advocating for a wide-ranging proposal to combat climate change.
has over 20 parts. The omnibus bill would declare a climate crisis in 海角换妻, which helps the state get federal funds for emissions-reducing action. The proposal would also update the state鈥檚 emission targets to be by 2050, invest in energy efficient buildings and push for climate change mitigation.
Rep. Christine Palm, D-Chester, spearheaded the bill, and said it also includes incentives for businesses to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
The proposal is more all encompassing and stronger than last session's versions, Palm said. 鈥淭his is not a bill to punish people for doing the wrong thing 鈥� it's to incentivize them to do the right thing.鈥�
This latest push for climate action comes on the heels of on record, and after a year of . All while 海角换妻 experienced a year of public health risks tied to an increasingly warmer climate 鈥� from heat waves to poor air quality from Canadian wildfires and flooding amid record rainfall.
The measure passed out of the Environment Committee and along party lines. Republican committee members over how it would impact energy demand and costs, the CT Examiner reported.
, the Yankee institute called the bill a 鈥済overnment overreaction鈥� to climate change that would raise taxes.
鈥淎nd there is the ugly truth, expressed often behind the closed doors of climate activism, but rarely in public: To make climate change the state鈥檚 primary focus, we鈥檒l have to be willing to sacrifice lower-income residents to this brave new carbon-free world,鈥� said David Flemming, director of policy and research at Yankee Institute.
According to Palm, the Office of Fiscal Analysis is assessing the bill's potential cost. She said the proposal would next go to the House floor for further consideration.
Palm spoke with lawmakers at a press conference Wednesday to call for its approval this session 鈥� along with and another to examine electric vehicle infrastructure.
鈥淲e are talking about catastrophic events if we don't intervene now,鈥� State Sen. Dr. Saud Anwar said. 鈥�So anyone who says it is not the right time, there is never a better time.鈥�
The General Assembly is in session until May 8.
