State Senator Bill Finch
June 26, 2007
Finch Applauds Environmental Efforts Included in Biennial Budget Plan
Several key environmental proposals were approved by the Connecticut Senate yesterday and are expected to be accepted by the House of Representatives as well, measures that state Senator Bill Finch (D-Bridgeport), co-chair of the General Assembly's Environment Committee, today said will have a definite positive impact on the state and on all Connecticut residents.
"From biodiesel investment to school bus emissions, this budget addresses a number of the major environmental initiatives of the session," said Senator Finch. "By making investments this year in clean energy, alternative fuels and emissions controls, in addition to the many new programs and initiatives approved by the legislature this year, we're taking a giant leap forward for the health of our local and global environment. I'm very pleased that these items will receive funding, and I'm encouraged by the support. I believe that this is just the start of our state's growing commitment to the environment."
Among the provisions included in Senate Bill 1500, the state Office of Policy Management's budget implement bill, are:
- A $10 million allocation for emissions-reducing diesel school bus retrofit equipment so that all school districts in the state can outfit buses as necessary to reduce diesel emissions in bus cabins and in the atmosphere.
- Creation of an Invasive Species Detection and Control Account within the state's Conservation Funds, which the Department of Environmental Protection will use to help control invasive species, develop early detection and rapid response policies, educate the public, and create grants for municipalities to help control invasive species on publicly accessible land and waters.
- Establishment of several grant programs to encourage the production and use of biodiesel for transportation and heating. Specifically, the bill provides grants to producers and distributors and encourages the use of biodiesel in state buildings and requires creation of a fuel diversification program for certain state institutions.
- Creation of the Connecticut Qualified Biodiesel Producer Incentive Account, administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development, to provide grants to qualified producers and distributors. To qualify, producers must be actively engaged in the commercial production, storing, or distribution of biodiesel in the state, and fuel must meet the ASTM D6751 standards
- Expanding the fuel efficiency standards for state vehicles. New legislation requires that at least half of the cars that the state purchases or leases be alternative-fueled, hybrid electric, or plug-in electric vehicles. It further requires that all alternative-fueled vehicles be certified at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standard and that all gasoline-powered light-duty and hybrid vehicles meet the same standard. Beginning in 2012, all state cars and light-duty trucks must be alternative fueled, hybrid, or plug-in. The legislation also requires an investigation aimed at identifying ways, if possible, to convert the state's law enforcement fleet to alternative fuels
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