Connecticut Senate Bill SB00371

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/21
• Refer: 1/26/21

Caption

An Act Concerning The Use Of Funds Generated From The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fee.

Impact

The enactment of SB00371 would effectively modify existing state regulations by ensuring that the payments made as part of the greenhouse gas reduction strategy are utilized specifically for local environmental initiatives. This could enable municipalities to tackle pollution and environmental degradation more efficiently, facilitating community redevelopment and potentially increasing property values. By repurposing these funds, the bill seeks to not only mitigate some of the adverse effects of climate change but also to promote economic revitalization in affected areas.

Summary

SB00371, known as the Act Concerning the Use of Funds Generated From the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fee, aims to allocate funds generated from a specific fee applied to motor vehicle registrations for the purpose of supporting brownfield remediation programs in towns across the state. The bill serves to enhance environmental protection efforts by directing financial resources towards the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites, which are often contaminated properties that can pose environmental and health risks to local communities.

Contention

While proponents of SB00371 argue that it creates a sustainable funding source for necessary environmental cleanups, there may be debates regarding the sufficiency and efficiency of the allocated funds. Opponents could raise questions about whether the fees collected through motor vehicle registrations will adequately meet the cleaning and remediation needs of various sites, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions. Additionally, there might be concerns about the operational logistics of how these funds will be distributed and monitored across different towns.