Cutting Power Plant Pollution

How You Can Help

We need to urge Governor Rell to ensure that Connecticut quickly implements RGGI and requires 100 percent investment in energy efficiency and related programs to reduce pollution and costs for consumers and businesses.

Brief Summary

Connecticut has a lot to lose from global warming. Our coastline is threatened by sea level rise and flooding, higher temperatures make our air pollution more dangerous and mosquito populations will speed the spread of lyme, west nile and other diseases.

In 2005, Gov. Rell signed a historic agreement with other Northeast states to tackle power plant pollution. This regional program, called RGGI, would reduce global warming pollution from power plants 10 percent by 2020. Although this cap and trade program would allow flexibility to large power plant owners, they are looking to scuttle or weaken the program. At the same time, these profitable corporations are trying to stall investments in energy efficiency at homes, businesses and factories to keep selling more electricity. All the while, these power plants continue to produce smog and mercury pollution that contaminate our state.

Fortunately, Connecticut has taken a number of steps to cut global warming pollution, like creating a plan to cut emissions, setting global warming tailpipe standards and promoting renewable energy. All of the states in the Northeast from Maryland to Maine have joined together in the “Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative” to cap and reduce global warming pollution from power plants. Now Connecticut needs to finish the job of implementing the program and ensure that the program generates funding for energy efficiency rather than subsidizing power plants to emit global warming pollution.