Researcher: KLM Page 1 3/29/23
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6397
AN ACT CONCERNING ZERO -CARBON EMISSIONS.
SUMMARY
This bill states that Connecticut declares climate change a public
health and environmental justice emergency for purposes of increasing
access to federal funds and showing the urgency of enacting
meaningful, which the bill does not define, climate legislation.
Relatedly, the bill requires Connecticut, through its governor and
other statewide elected officials, to increase federal funding requests for
climate emergency-related actions. Specifically, the state must seek the
funds for (1) statewide affordable zero-carbon electricity generation (i.e.,
solar, wind, geothermal, and battery storage), (2) community climate
resilience, (3) environmental justice opportunities, and (4) training for
clean energy sector jobs and fossil fuel-to-clean-energy business
transitions. (The bill does not specify which officials are responsible for
which requests and, presumably, these requests may be delegated to
executive branch agencies.)
The bill creates several requirements for the following state agencies
to address the climate emergency: administrative services (DAS),
economic and community development (DECD), energy and
environmental protection (DEEP), the Public Utilities Regulatory
Authority (PURA), and the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS).
The bill states that its climate emergency declaration does not
authorize the governor to operate the state through executive order. It
also states that the bill serves to invoke the National Emergencies Act
for the President of the United States to declare a related national
emergency (see COMMENT).
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage 2023HB-06397-R000305-BA.DOCX
Researcher: KLM Page 2 3/29/23
CLIMATE EMERGENCY DE CLARATION
The bill states that the climate emergency threatens the resilience
(and the existence of some communities in the state), including aspects
of the state’s environment, economy, and quality of life for the state’s
younger generations. The bill also states that it is urgent to (1) greatly
and quickly increase community coping capacities to handle climate
extremes and climate refugees and (2) mitigate climate impacts and
prepare for and manage disaster risk from climate extremes.
STATE AGENCY REQUIRE MENTS
DEEP
The bill requires the DEEP commissioner to:
1. by July 1, 2025, and within available appropriations, produce a
comprehensive Connecticut Decarbonization Roadmap to
achieve the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction
targets (by law, DEEP already reports on its GHG emissions
reduction every three years, see BACKGROUND) and
2. establish a Citizens Oversight Working Group to (a) give the
public oversight of the state’s adherence to its GHG emissions
reduction targets, (b) ensure that the state meets the targets’
timelines and deadlines and help develop tangible actions to
meet the targets, (c) meet the Connecticut Integrated Resource
Plan’s goal of a fully zero-carbon electric sector by 2040, and (d)
ensure Connecticut complies with all climate change executive
orders (it is unclear if the working group has the authority and
means to fulfill these requirements).
Under the bill, DEEP must also take unspecified actions to acquire
federal funds to develop programs for local communities throughout
Connecticut, including underserved communities, which the bill does
not define. These required actions must mitigate impacts of climate
change, fossil fuel use, waste disposal incineration, landfills, and other
municipal functions that historically disproportionately effect
underserved communities. 2023HB-06397-R000305-BA.DOCX
Researcher: KLM Page 3 3/29/23
DEEP and DAS
The bill requires DEEP and DAS to help Connecticut residents and
municipalities obtain federal funds to install renewable energy, zero-
carbon emissions clean all-electric energy systems in all newly
constructed residential and commercial buildings. These efforts must
include behind-the-meter grid-adapted solar and wind systems and
battery storage systems. The departments must work with energy
supply companies to develop equitable cost-favorable clean energy
solutions for retail end users.
DEEP and PURA
The bill requires DEEP and PURA to (1) develop strategies for energy
infrastructure development that focus on renewable energy systems
(e.g., battery storage) and (2) work with northeastern states and regional
independent system operators to implement the strategies.
DECD
The bill requires DECD to collaborate with municipal economic
development agencies in the state to secure federal funding for local
businesses to access renewable energy supplies and consume less fossil
fuel.
DECD and OWS
The bill requires DECD and OWS, by October 1, 2023, to (1) work
with all industries in the state that are impacted by the transition away
from fossil fuel use and (2) develop job retaining plans for them.
COMMENT
National Emergencies Act
The federal National Emergencies Act (NEA) (P.L. 94-412) allows
presidents to issue formal declarations of a national emergency and
Congress to oppose and end a declaration. The bill states that its climate
emergency declaration serves to invoke the NEA, but the NEA does not
give states the power to do this. Emergencies declared under the NEA
are exclusively federal actions.
BACKGROUND 2023HB-06397-R000305-BA.DOCX
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GHG Emissions Reduction Targets
By law, the Global Warming Solutions Act requires the state to reduce
GHG emissions from all sources to a level at least (1) 10% below 1990
emission levels by January 1, 2020; (2) 45% below 2001 emission levels
by January 1, 2030; and (3) 80% below 2001 emission levels by January
1, 2050. It also requires the state to reduce GHG emissions from
electricity supplied to electric customers in the state to 0% by January 1,
2040. Every three years, the DEEP commissioner must report to the
Environment, Energy and Technology, and Transportation committees
on the quantifiable reductions achieved to meet the GHG emission
reduction targets (CGS § 22a-200a).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Environment Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 30 Nay 3 (03/10/2023)