Hello All -

This is just in from our Connecticut Climate Coalition Partner. 

Please contact your state senator at:

Senate Democrats           (800) 842-1420 or (860) 240-8600

Senate Republicans            (800) 842-1421 or (860) 240-8800

Regards,

Cheryl Dunson

LWVCT VP

 Good evening,

In an exciting development, House Bill 5600, An Act Concerning Global Warming Solutions, just passed the state House of Representatives with a vote or 131-16 late this afternoon!

Thank you to everyone who called House Speaker Amann and Majority Leader Donovan and asked them to bring this bill up for a vote.  We heard from their offices that they had gotten a lot of calls- your support helped keep this bill moving.  Help us pass this bill by calling your state senator- see below for details.

A small minority of house members dragged out the debate on this bill for over four hours, attempted to have this bill sent to multiple additional committees, and called a number of unfriendly amendments on the bill. Ultimately their attempts to run out the clock in the house failed along with their amendments, and this bill passed with overwhelming support.

Key features of the bill as amended:

• Strengthens 2004 climate goals bill by making them mandatory statewide emissions limits (reduce to 10% below 1990 emissions levels by 2020 and 80% below 2001 levels by 2050)

• By Jan 1 2009, agencies must release a comprehensive statewide greenhouse gas inventory

• By Jan 1 2010, and every other year thereafter, state agencies must report near-term actions to meet these limits

• By July 1 2012 and every three years thereafter, DEP must issue a schedule of recommended regulations and other policies that must add up and achieve the above reductions

• By July 1, 2010, new climate impacts committee must assess global warming's impacts on CT infrastructure, public health and ecosystems, and help local and state government with plans to mitigate these impacts

• Funding for agencies to carry out these measures

• Additional study of high speed and light rail and freight rail

Legislative heroes of the day:
Representative Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford) did an excellent job explaining the bill and defending it from unfriendly amendments

Represesentative Steve Fontana (D-North Haven) helped oppose unfriendly energy-related amendments

Representative Livvy Floren (R-Greenwich) spoke powerfully about the need to proactively address the "climate crisis"

Biggest disappointments:
Representative Hamzy (R-Plymouth) led the opposition to mandatory global warming limits

Representative Harkins (R- Stratford) questioned the basic science behind global warming

Representative Piscopo (R- Thomaston) questioned the human role in global warming

• Click here to see how each legislator voted on the final bill

• Read the bill and amendments here

• The video from the 4/28 House session will be available online at CTN here so you can watch the debate yourself

• First news story here: http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-housegreenhouse-0428,0,2687352.story

Next Stop for HB 5600: The State Senate
The State Senate must vote to approve this bill before the legislative session adjourns the following Wednesday. 

As the Senate has many bills to consider between now and then, please ask your Senator to make passing HB 5600 a top priority!

Call your State Senator Tuesday/Wednesday (today and tomorrow)

Call during business hours: 860-240-8600  (Democrats) or 860-240-8800 (Republicans)

Don’t know your state senator (not Dodd and Lieberman)?  Look him or her up at www.vote-smart.org or call us at 860-232-6232 and we'll help you.

Hi, I’d like to speak with Senator ______________

(NOTE: You are likely to speak with an aide or an answering machine.)

My name is ___________ and I live at (street address, city).

I am calling because I am very concerned about global warming and want Connecticut to do our part by adopting mandatory pollution limits.

I want to ask Senator__________ to support “House Bill 5600: An Act Concerning Global Warming Solutions,” and work to make sure it is brought up for a vote as soon as possible. 

Can you tell me if Senator __________ will vote for this legislation?

Thank you for your time, Good-bye.

Please let us know who you reached and what the response was so that we can keep a tally-- email Roger at  rsmith@cleanwater.org or call 860-232-6232

On behalf of all the groups working to pass this legislation, thanks for your support!

Roger

Clean Water Action/ Connecticut Climate Coalition

********************************************************
Roger Smith
Campaign Director, Clean Water Action
Coordinator, Connecticut Climate Coalition
645 Farmington Ave, Hartford CT 06105
(p) 860-232-6232 (f) 860-232-6334
rsmith@cleanwater.org
http://www.newenglandclimate.org/connecticut.htm
 

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