Substitute Senate Bill No. 1145 aims to enhance greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction efforts in the state by amending existing statutes with new targets and requirements. The bill sets ambitious GHG reduction targets, including a 45% reduction below 2001 levels by 2030, zero percent from electricity supplied to electric customers by 2040, and an economy-wide net zero level at least 80% below 2001 levels by 2050. It mandates the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish sector-specific subtargets for GHG emissions by January 1, 2025, and to adopt regulations to achieve these targets. The bill also updates definitions for terms like "direct emissions" and "indirect emissions," and introduces "negative emissions" and related technologies. Furthermore, it requires state agencies to report biennially on their activities to reduce GHG emissions, and the Commissioner to report triennially to the General Assembly on emissions reductions and propose further strategies.

The bill also includes provisions that affect the granting, renewal, or modification of permits related to air pollution, requiring the consideration of all sources of air pollution on the land in question and the feasibility of replacing fossil-fueled electricity-generating units with nonemitting energy or energy storage. Municipal utilities are required to submit annual reports on their GHG emissions reduction progress starting January 15, 2024. The Connecticut Green Bank is directed to develop programs aligned with the state's GHG emissions reduction goals. The bill outlines potential costs to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and possible revenue gains from civil penalties for GHG emissions reductions violations. The Environment Committee has given the bill a Joint Favorable Substitute with a vote of 22 Yea to 11 Nay on March 24, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 16-245n
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 16-245n
File No. 562: