State Action | sierraclub-ct

State Action on the Environment is More Important Than Ever, But Is Connecticut Moving in the Right Direction?

Samantha Dynowski

February 2025

In the first day of the Trump Administration, the Sierra Club responded to 11 anti-environment Executive Orders including withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement to freezing unspent Inflation Reduction Act Funding and more:

There is no doubt that at the federal level, the Sierra Club will be playing defense on environmental issues. We’re also standing up against attacks against our most vulnerable neighbors and communities.

To keep up momentum for equitable solutions to our climate and environmental problem, action at the local and state level is more important than ever. Together, I believe we can and will make progress, but I’m not going to sugar coat it, our state has its challenges too.

Pipeline companies Enbridge, Berkshire Hathaway, and TC Energy are trying to expand here in Connecticut. Their proposals to expand gas coming through pipelines in our state include Project Maple and expanding compressor stations in Brookfield and Milford.

Republican lawmakers have announced a platform that would defund Connecticut’s award winning energy efficiency program, halt renewable energy, and increase gas supply which would only make us more over reliant on costly methane gas. They lost seats in the last election and should have little power to move this anti-clean energy agenda, but are still trying to block good climate and clean energy policy.

In his State of the State Address on January 8, Governor Lamont urged policy makers not to rule out expanding methane gas and stated he wants to increase costly nuclear power. His full remarks can be read here. He did mention solar, wind, and energy efficiency, but his statements on methane gas and nuclear, combined with his failure to commit to offshore wind alongside Massachusetts and Rhode Island, is a concerning turn.

Image: 2025 State of the State Address from Governor Ned Lamont

Credit: screenshot from YouTube video of 2025 State of the State Address

We have our work cut out for us, but signs of hope are beginning to emerge. Governor Lamont backtracked on his comments about gas in the press. In the legislature, both the House and Senate put climate bills on their priority agenda.

Now, it's up to all of us to speak up, show up, and advocate! Connecticut has some laudable climate and clean energy goals. What is needed are concrete steps to achieve those goals. That is what your Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter will be pushing towards at the state legislature and before our state agencies. We will alert you when there is a proposal that will take us backwards, and we will ask for your help to accelerate action on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. It is going to take all of us, in every corner of the state, joining together for our future.

Samantha Dynowski is State Director of Sierra Club Connecticut.

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