Global Warming In the News

Four years after setting goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, state legislators are debating whether to toughen the law and mandate the cuts.

But it's also debatable whether the state — by promoting alternative fuels, greener buildings and greater efficiency — will be able to meet those goals, regardless of any legal requirements.

"For a variety of reasons, I think we're going to come up short on the near-term goal" for emissions reductions, said Paul Farrell, acting chief of staff at the Department of Environmental Protection, who has spent years working on climate issues.

"Putting [goals] into statute now doesn't change the fact that there is limited technology to control carbon output," he said. "Most reductions now are through efficiencies."

The legislature's environment committee pushed ahead a bill Friday that would require the state to cut emissions of the gases associated with global warming by 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

Emissions would have to be reduced to at least 80 percent below 2001 levels by 2050. That is in line with the recommendations of a UN panel of scientists who have said drastic changes must be made soon to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

"Connecticut can't stop global warming all by itself, but we can do our fair share," said Christopher Phelps, program director for Environment Connecticut, who praised the committee's action. Phelps took a more optimistic view of the goals.

"Absolutely, they're very realistic," he said. He said the legislation includes several measures that could move the state ahead, including creating a low carbon fuel standard for motor vehicle and home heating fuels and setting limits on emissions from new power plants.

Several other states have adopted similar legislation, he said.

"By joining other states and adopting global warming pollution caps, Connecticut can help set an example for Congress as it considers federal emissions limits later this year."

The state first set goals for emissions cuts in 2004 and subsequently developed a Climate Change Action Plan to work toward those goals. But despite some successes, the state's effort has begun to falter, Phelps and others said.

"There was a strong feeling in the committee that the state is having trouble moving toward the goals," Sen. Edward Meyer, D-Guilford, co-chairman of the environment committee. He said the new bill would do more to hold state agencies accountable for reaching the emissions targets.

The bill requires agencies to consider the emissions impact of new projects and put a price on carbon dioxide; keep track of progress on cutting emissions; and update regulations and laws to help meet the goals. The measure would require the state to revise the state building code to incorporate more stringent energy standards.

Connecticut already has joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a coalition of Northeastern states and Canadian provinces formed to set up a system for controlling emissions from power plants, a key source of greenhouse gases. The states are drawing up regulations for a cap-and-trade system that will enable power producers to buy and sell credits for carbon emissions.

Connecticut and several other states have followed California's lead and adopted strict tailpipe emission standards for motor vehicles. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has rejected those standards, and the states are challenging the EPA in court. Farrell said the tougher standards would go a long way toward meeting Connecticut's overall goals.

Scientists say that a small rise in average temperatures already has started to alter the climate and that humans have pumped enough carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to keep pushing the temperature up for decades..

The environment committee approved the measure 18-6, Meyer said. He said he expects the measure will be taken up next by the energy committee.

Farrell said regardless of the bill's fate, the state is making progress, and "we'll keep chugging along."

"Climate change is a much, much broader issue, involving all sectors of society," he said. "We're looking at systemic changes in how we live and how we work and how we do business."