As we celebrate Earth Month, the urgency to take action for our planet has never been clearer—especially here in Connecticut. At the State Capitol, lawmakers are debating critical environmental legislation that will shape our state's response to climate change, clean energy expansion, and environmental justice. While we’ve seen promising proposals, we’re also facing strong opposition from special interests looking to weaken protections for our air, water, and communities. Now is the time to raise our voices, push for bold action, and ensure that Connecticut steps up to fight the climate crisis. Here’s what’s been happening under the Capitol dome and how you can make a difference this Earth Month. 

 

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the Protect Wildlife and Climate Lobby Day and helped make it a success! Across both events, we mobilized over 100 dedicated advocates, showing the strength of our collective commitment to protecting our environment, public health, and the climate. 

 

This legislative session we have been tracking key priority bills that address climate, energy efficiency, environmental justice, and biodiversity. 

 

Here are some of our key priorities for the legislative session: 

 

H.B.5004: An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors. 

• This legislation sets bold targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy, improving efficiency, and making heat pumps more affordable. It also advances nature-based solutions for climate resilience while protecting the environment, creating jobs, and reducing costs.

S.B.9: An Act Concerning the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Municipal and State Planning, and the Use of Neonicotinoids and Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides.

• The legislation strengthens flood risk disclosures, limits state funding for high-risk construction, requires climate planning, creates resiliency districts, restricts certain pesticides, and promotes nature-based solutions, prioritizing environmental justice and vulnerable communities. 

S.J.36: Resolution Proposing a State Constitutional Amendment Concerning Environmental Rights.

• The proposed constitutional amendment aims to establish an enforceable right to a healthy environment and obligates the state to protect natural resources. 

H.B.6889: An Act Concerning Evictions for Cause.

• This legislation aims to protect certain tenants from eviction without cause. 

H.B. 7019: An Act Requiring a Study of Incentives for the Replacement of Residential Electric Resistance Heating Systems.

• The legislation requires a study on incentives for replacing residential electric resistance heating with energy-efficient alternatives, assessing costs, benefits, and existing programs.

H.B.5013: An Act Adding Certain Plants to the Invasive Plants List.

• The legislation expands the list of prohibited invasive plants, sets future deadlines for additional plant restrictions, and prevents municipalities from regulating the sale or purchase of these plants. Some of the listed invasive plants in this bill includes star of Bethlehem, glossy buckthorn, European buckthorn, reed canary grass, winged euonymus, European privet, black locust, miscanthus, and Japanese barberry.

H.B. 6229: An Act Concerning the Reduction of Single-Use Plastics and Polystyrene Waste.

• The legislation aims to reduce single-use plastics and polystyrene waste by prohibiting their use in various sectors, mandating bottle-filling stations in public buildings, and promoting sustainable alternatives, with enforcement and reporting measures in place.

H.B.6917: An Act Concerning the Management of Solid Waste in the State.

• The legislation allocates funds for waste management enforcement and operations, mandates food donation policies for large waste generators, amends waste processing assessments, and requires a report on consumer packaging responsibility by 2027.

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These bills have the power to shape Connecticut’s environmental future, but they need strong public support to pass. This Earth Month, make your voice heard by urging your legislators to support these critical initiatives. Call or email your representatives and tell them why protecting our environment, advancing clean energy, and ensuring climate resilience matter to you.

 

📢 Take action today! Find your legislator and send a message here, and ask them to co-sponsor these important bills. And, share this Earth Day message with Governor Lamont and your legislators.  

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Mark Your Calendar! 🌍♻️

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Connecticut Waste Lobby Day
📅 April 11, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Legislative Office Building

Join us for Connecticut Waste Lobby Day during Food Waste Prevention Week! Together, we’ll advocate for policies that reduce waste, promote sustainability, and protect our environment. Plus, enjoy a zero-waste lunch as we put our values into action! More details coming soon—stay tuned! Register here.

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Earth Day Honk for Climate Action at the State Capitol

📅 April 22, 2025

 ⏰ 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

 

Meet across from the Legislative Office Building at Minuteman Park. Please join us to smile, wave, hold signs and encourage drivers-by the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building to honk for a sustainable future.   Register here.

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Together, we can make Connecticut a leader in environmental protection and climate action! 

"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." – Robert Swan

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Julianna Larue is an organizer at Sierra Club Connecticut, focusing on our state legislative efforts.