CONNECTICUT, USA — As people across Connecticut clean up from Sunday’s storms, state officials are now looking to the future.
“This is a very historic and unprecedented rainfall event, and it's consistent with the accelerating impacts of climate change we're experiencing,” said Katie Dykes, commissioner of the state Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection.
They are trying to see what can be done to reduce the damage from extreme weather events.
“I can't tell you this will never happen again,” Gov. Ned Lamont said. “I can tell you, we’re going to make sure that we make it less frequent and make sure it's less severe, and that's something we're working on every day.”
Lawmakers say solutions need to come from all levels of government — they’re calling on federal aid, but also state proposals.
After not passing significant climate change measures in the 2023 or 2024 sessions, some state legislators are pushing hard to make climate change a priority in 2025.
“You can argue about whether or not humans are responsible for climate change, but you can't argue about what happened over the weekend,” said state Rep. Joseph Gresko, (D-Stratford). “We see the temperatures rising. We see the extreme events happening. Hey, let's try to do something about it while we still can.”
Gresko — co-chair of the legislature’s Environment Committee — says he will re-introduce this year’s failed climate package in the 2025 session.
“If we do it as early as possible, then you know, you have that wiggle room for when the horse trading happens, that it can get called with enough time in the Senate,” he explained.
The 22-section omnibus proposal would declare a “climate emergency” in the state, as well as work to repair damage to the environment moving forward.
It would also make Connecticut’s greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region, create new incentives — like tax credits — for businesses that participate in environmentally friendly practices, provide workforce training to transition to a clean economy, and support “nature-based” solutions.
The 2024 climate bill did receive bipartisan support in the House, but Gresko says the main challenge this past session was time.
“I don't want to be wagging my finger in front of people's faces saying, ‘See, this is what happens when you,’ because nobody wants to hear that. But I'm just saying, look at what is happening, and let us, the legislature... We have these ideas. We have a pathway going forward to try to be more environmentally conscious and help mitigate climate change. Give us some support,” he added.
Gresko believes there will once again be support across the aisle for this measure in 2025.
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Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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