Substitute House Bill No. 5004, also known as Public Act No. 25-125, sets forth ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for Connecticut, mandating a 45% reduction from 2001 levels by 2030, a 65% reduction from 2001 levels by 2040, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The bill requires state agencies to utilize only zero-carbon electricity by 2030 and allows for the consideration of the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions in project evaluations. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection is tasked with publishing guidelines on the social cost of emissions by January 1, 2026. The bill also repeals and replaces existing statutes, updating reduction targets and reporting requirements, and emphasizes annual reporting on emissions sources and carbon sequestration.

In addition to emissions reduction goals, the bill establishes the Connecticut Clean Economy Council to advise on economic development strategies that support climate mitigation and clean energy, particularly for vulnerable communities. The council will identify funding opportunities and develop workforce training plans to transition workers from fossil fuel jobs to clean economy positions. The bill also introduces provisions for energy efficiency improvements in residential properties, establishes a revolving loan and grant fund for energy efficiency projects, and creates a protected open space and watershed land acquisition grant program. Key deletions from existing law include specific grant application requirements, which are replaced with broader categories for funding, and the bill mandates a permanent conservation easement for properties purchased with grant funds to ensure their preservation.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 31-3rr, 7-131d
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 31-3rr, 7-131d
File No. 449: 31-3rr, 7-131d
File No. 821: 31-3rr, 7-131d
Public Act No. 25-125: 31-3rr, 7-131d