The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Calif. truck emissions standards move forward in CT
Gov. Ned Lamont's proposal to move Connecticut in line with California's emissions standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks received another vote of confidence Monday from lawmakers, who approved it for further discussion in the House of Representatives.
The governor's bill, part of a larger package of climate initiatives being pushed by Democrats this session, would adopt California's regulations requiring vehicle manufacturers to phase in zero-emissions vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds over the next decade.
Connecticut has already signed on to similar standards for smaller household cars and trucks.
The Transportation Committee voted along mostly party lines to send the bill to the floor, following a similar action last month by members of the Environment Committee.
During the short committee meeting to discuss the bill, Republicans continued to raise concerns that the legislation would drive prices higher for consumers, particularly businesses that rely on fleets of trucks to transport their products and services around the state.
“We tend to rush into a lot of this kind of legislation then quickly try to exempt industries because in fact the cost can be quite impactful,” said state Rep. Laura Devlin, RFairfield, who was recently tapped by Bob Stefanowski to serve as his running mate in this fall's elections.
Democrats, however, countered that the tougher standards have already been adopted in California, New York, New Jersey and
“As more states adopt these standards and as the lower-emission engines are produced more, I think the cost will eventually come down just through market forces.”
State Rep. Brandon Chafee, D-Middletown
Massachusetts — pushing vehicle manufacturers to develop products to sell in those markets.
“As more states adopt these standards and as the lower-emission engines are produced more, I think the cost will eventually come down just through market forces,” said state Rep. Brandon Chafee, D-Middletown.
Under the federal Clean Air Act, states have the choice of either adopting nationwide vehicle emissions standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency or tougher standards set by regulators in California.
Supporters of the Connecticut Democrats' climate initiatives note that the state remains behind on its targets to sharply lower carbon emissions by mid-century, in part due to increasing vehicle emissions.