Source: PointCarbon.com
The Governor of Connecticut, US, has accepted a set of recommendations that are estimated to reduce the states greenhouse gas emissions by 8.5%.
The recommendations from Connecticuts Steering Committee on Climate Change includes restoration of the Conservation and Load Management Fund, establishing conservation funds for oil and natural gas, energy efficiency and CHP measures, a renewable energy strategy, forest and agricultural land preservation and more.
"Governor Rowland's decision to accept the stakeholder recommendations to cut greenhouse gas emissions will put Connecticut in the forefront of US states taking action to reduce climate change," said Ned Helme, Executive Director of the Center for Clean Air Policy, in a press release.
"Connecticut is the first state to develop a comprehensive climate change action plan and immediately translate it into legislative and administrative proposals for implementation." The measures will enable the State to achieve 52% of its overall 2010 goal of stabilizing emissions at 1990 levels, the target established by the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan of 2001, said the press release.
"The Connecticut plan also tackles the rapidly-growing transportation sector, calling for path-breaking efforts in transit, smart growth, land use policy, and freight policy, as well as recommending legislative adoption of the California tailpipe standards to reduce carbon dioxide and conventional air pollutants from cars and light trucks", said Steve Winkelman, Manager of the Center for Clean Air Policy's Transportation program. "As the first state to address the global warming impacts of 'black carbon' emissions, Connecticut will also enjoy major health benefits."
The Center for Clean Air Policy facilitated the yearlong Connecticut Climate Change Stakeholder Dialogue, during which the greenhouse gas reducing policy recommendations were developed and subsequently submitted to the Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change.
Representatives throughout Connecticut from business and industry, academic institutions, environmental and public interest organizations, and state and local government agencies participated in the Dialogue. The Center also provided in-depth technical analysis of a wide range of policy measures proposed by the stakeholders.
Connecticut joins New Jersey, New York, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington as states that have taken some specific actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Together these states represent 3.9% of global CO2 emissions and 17.2% of US emissions.
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