(a) The state shall reduce the level of emissions of greenhouse gas:

Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 22a-200a

  • commissioner: means the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection or any member of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or any local air pollution control official or agency authorized by him, acting singly or jointly, to whom he assigns any function arising under the provisions of this chapter or of any regulations adopted hereunder. See Connecticut General Statutes 22a-170

(1) Not later than January 1, 2020, to a level at least ten per cent below the level emitted in 1990;

(2) Not later than January 1, 2030, to a level at least forty-five per cent below the level emitted in 2001;

(3) Not later than January 1, 2040, to a level of zero per cent from electricity supplied to electric customers in the state;

(4) Not later than January 1, 2050, to a level at least eighty per cent below the level emitted in 2001; and

(5) All of the levels referenced in this subsection shall be determined by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.

(b) On or before January 1, 2010, and biannually thereafter, the state agencies that are members of the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change shall submit a report to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. The report shall identify existing and proposed activities and improvements to the facilities of such agencies that are designed to meet state agency energy savings goals established by the Governor. The report shall also identify policies and regulations that could be adopted in the near future by such agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2012, and every three years thereafter, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Governor’s Steering Committee on Climate Change, report, in accordance with the provisions of § 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment, energy and transportation on the quantifiable emissions reductions achieved pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The report shall include a schedule of proposed regulations, policies and strategies designed to achieve the limits of greenhouse gas emissions imposed by said subsection, an assessment of the latest scientific information and relevant data regarding global climate change and the status of greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts in other states and countries.

(d) At least one year prior to the effective date of any federally mandated greenhouse cap and trade program including greenhouse gas emissions subject to any state cap and trade requirements adopted pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall report, in accordance with the provisions of § 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment, energy and technology and transportation. Such report shall explain the differences between such federal and state requirements and shall identify any further regulatory or legislative actions needed to achieve consistency with such federal program.