Malloy should support a strong RGGI for a stronger Connecticut

It is no surprise to Connecticut residents that the state is currently in the middle of a contentious budget fight. The Nutmeg State’s budget gap is the largest it has been since the recession and Governor Malloy could potentially have to lay off over 1,000 government employees. With Democrats and Republicans unable to agree on even the simplest decision-whether to televise budget talks--the state needs any incoming cash flow it can get.

Fortunately, there is a simple, proven option to save Connecticut tens of millions of dollars and create homegrown jobs and industry — all while making the state cleaner and healthier.

Right now, Governor Malloy and stakeholders from the eight other Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) participating states are deciding how to update the program. The regional initiative sets a limit on climate-disrupting carbon pollution from fossil fuel power plants throughout the region. The program forces polluters to pay for what they emit, and then gives that money back to those participating states. Through the carbon reduction plan, RGGI invests money back into Connecticut communities in the form of clean energy, electricity bill assistance and energy efficiency programs. The current program’s goals are set to expire in 2020, but participating state governors and decision makers are now negotiating an update to the plan that would lock in carbon pollution reduction goals through 2030.

Last month, the RGGI stakeholders met for the last time this summer before deciding on a proposed update to the program. In the current state budget, lawmakers have proposed to raid RGGI funds for other programs despite the fact that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has provided tens of millions of dollars in private investments throughout the state — investments which have decreased energy costs for manufacturers and local businesses while spurring job growth. A strong RGGI with increased carbon pollution limits mean more money for the state and its electricity customers.

Connecticut needs to step up and be a leader the region can follow by publicly calling for the states to adopt the strongest carbon reduction limit currently under consideration. Just last month, Governor Malloy announced that Connecticut will remain committed to the goals set forth by the Paris Agreement, which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (like carbon) 26 to 28 percent by 2025. Now is his time to turn that pledge into policy.

RGGI has saved Connecticut’s homes and businesses more than $77 million on their electricity bills last year alone. But RGGI could be working even harder for the state. If Connecticut acts to strengthen the program, the state would create an average of 7,500 new jobs every year for the next decade.

And Connecticut voters want a stronger RGGI. In a recent bipartisan study conducted by Hart Research Associates and Chesapeake Beach Consulting, 74 percent of Nutmeggers polled support their state’s participation in the RGGI program. The RGGI program can benefit industry, aid small business growth and help with the budget crisis by increasing Connecticut’s clean energy capacity. Simply put, RGGI puts money back into the state’s communities in many different ways. Investment in energy efficiency, for example, creates far more good jobs than equal investments in dirty energy expansion.

Governor Malloy said he will uphold the goals set forth by the Paris agreement. His opportunity to do that is right now, starting with advocating for the strongest carbon pollution limit with the RGGI program. RGGI has the ability to save consumers money, boost economic development through energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, and re-invest in the state. While it’s not the only solution to Connecticut’s budget woes, RGGI is a critical program that will help bring funding and investment at a time when it is needed the most. Tell Governor Malloy, advocating for a stronger RGGI means a stronger and more financially stable Connecticut.