Mae Flexer

Sen. Flexer Joins Senate Democrats in Passing Connecticut Clean Air Act

HARTFORD – State Senator Mae Flexer joined her Senate Democratic colleagues this evening in passing Senate Bill 4, the “Connecticut Clean Air Act,” an overarching public policy designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and push Connecticut toward a greener and healthier future.

The transportation sector represents Connecticut’s single-largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, and Senate Bill 4 will support cleaner air, reduced pollution and bolster the state’s response to climate change. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further debate.

“This is the absolute most important issue that we in the legislature should be focused on: our environment. With three institutions of higher learning in my district, I represent some of the youngest people in Connecticut, and if we are not singularly focused on improving our environment, we are doing these people an unconscionable disservice,” Sen. Flexer said. “Connecticut is behind in its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing ozone levels in the state. Every aspect of this bill will help us reduce those noxious emissions and make for a cleaner, healthier atmosphere in Connecticut for ourselves and our children.”

Among other things, Senate Bill 4:

• Emphasizes Connecticut’s desire to shift to electric vehicles by requiring that by 2026, at least 50% of cars and light trucks purchased by the state will be alternative-fueled, hybrid electric, or plug-in electric vehicles, with that rate rising to 100% by 2030.
• Ends the purchase or lease of any diesel-fueled transit bus, shifting to electric buses for public transportation in Connecticut beginning in 2024.
  Installs electric vehicle charging stations across the state, with existing standards for installation being simplified.
• Overhauls the CHEAPR electric vehicle rebate system, including increases to available rebate amounts, increases to the cap on vehicle prices eligible for rebates, increases to low-income electric vehicle rebates, and expansion of rebate eligibility to include business fleets and electric bicycles. Rebates and vouchers will be prioritized to residents in environmental justice communities, residents with household incomes at or below 300% of federal poverty levels, and residents participating in state and federal assistance programs.
• Invests in a matching grant program to modernize municipal traffic signals to ensure it matches traffic flow, which can significantly reduce automobile emissions caused by stalled traffic and idling.
• Adopts the medium- and heavy-duty motor vehicle standards already adopted by California, seeking to significantly reduce the emissions from vehicles responsible for some of the Connecticut’s highest rates of greenhouse gases.