HARTFORD, Conn. — Gov. Ned Lamont is pulling the plug on proposed rules that would have eventually banned the sale of new, gas-powered cars in Connecticut, after rising opposition from state Republicans and industry leaders.
Lamont and legislative leaders call this a speed bump but said they’re still pushing ahead with these emissions standards.
“We march forth, recognizing that this is good policy, that we have adopted good policy, and we need the regulations to align with that policy so that we can move forward in a thoughtful manner,” said state Sen. Christine Cohen, (D) co-chair of the Transportation Committee.
Lamont and Democrats said they’re not giving up on these proposed regulations to phase out all new sales of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035.
“The gasoline-powered car is certainly on its way out,” Senate President Martin Looney said. “We will have all-electric vehicles in the future and we want to make that future happen as soon as we can.”
This proposal came from a bipartisan law passed in 2004 which tied Connecticut to California’s emissions standards, but since the Lamont administration introduced these regulations, opposition has been growing.
“It's the governor's office that actually does not have a plan and this is something we have been calling on,” said House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora.
The legislature’s Regulation Review Committee was supposed to vote on these new emissions standards Tuesday, but late Monday night the Lamont administration decided to pull them from the committee’s agenda.
“Going the other way, pulling the plug, changing our mind, takes us in the wrong direction,” Lamont said during a Tuesday press conference.
Republicans argue electric vehicles are unaffordable for most residents and would be hard to implement because the state power grid needs major upgrades.
“They can't implement this program, the way it's laid out in the state of Connecticut,” added Candelora. “They don't have an infrastructure built out yet to support this plan.”
Tuesday, Lamont and legislative Democrats acknowledged those concerns.
“These are real concerns that can't be just shooed away,” House Speaker Matt Ritter said. “They can't be wished away. They have to be worked on.”
These proposed regulations are now heading to the General Assembly. Lawmakers said the legislature will take them up in some capacity next session, which begins in February 2024.
“I think yes, we will get there,” added House Majority Leader Jason Rojas. “I don't know that we have a choice because the consequences are far too dire for us to continue to do nothing.”
Lamont and state lawmakers weren’t very specific today on what this plan could actually look like next session. Still, Democrats said they will begin caucusing with members next week to begin the conversation.
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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