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West Hartford, CT – Connecticut can start to transition to a clean energy economy, stop global warming and protect the environment with funding from President Obama’s proposed federal budget for 2010, according to a report released today by Environment Connecticut.

“President Obama’s budget means a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future for Connecticut,” said Environment Connecticut Program Director, Christopher Phelps.

The report, Vision 2010: President Obama’s Budget, Clean Energy and the Environment, estimates the proportion of the president’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 federal budget that would be used to transition to clean energy by requiring global warming polluters to pay, clean up toxic waste, prevent water pollution, and spur clean energy businesses in Connecticut.

The proposed budget sets the stage for a new energy plan for America that caps global warming pollution and drives the transformation to a clean energy economy. The report illustrated the following benefits for Connecticut:

·         $7.4 billion over 10 years from making polluters pay for global warming pollution, if the revenues are apportioned by population;

·         $730 million in Connecticut taxpayer dollars that will no longer subsidize profits for Big Oil;

·         Sewage treatment plants that exceed clean water permits could be eligible for a statewide total of $24.4 million in funding for repairs and upgrades; and

·         Toxic waste sites could see accelerated clean up from reinstatement of a polluter pays fee expected to generate $17.2 billion in revenues over 10 years.

Environment Connecticut pointed out that the latest global warming science means even deeper cuts in pollution in the next 10 years than the ones in the president’s budget will be required to prevent the catastrophic warming.  “Capping global warming pollution to the extent needed and ensuring that polluters pay is the right move for our environment and our economy but even this first step will face roadblocks from polluting interests,” said Phelps.

“As we approach Earth Day, Congress needs to hear from clean energy entrepreneurs, local elected officials and average citizens who know the time to transition to a clean energy economy, protect our environment and stop global warming is now,” concluded Phelps.