Acadia Center: Reforms could boost economy

A New England environmental group with offices in Connecticut is urging Gov.-elect Ned Lamont to improve transportation infrastructure and bolster clean energy efforts, saying such efforts would not only improve the health of the state’s residents, but add 33,000 new jobs and $11 billion in economic benefits.

Acadia Center’s analysis, which officials with the organization called “Memo To The Next Governor of Connecticut,” was released Monday. Daniel Sosland, Acadia Center’s president, said the analysis focuses on five transportation and energy reforms “that will have the most direct impact on Connecticut’s economy while also enhancing quality of life for its people and communities.”

“The recommended reforms are achievable, the benefits are concrete, and the time is now to build a stronger Connecticut,” Sosland said in a written statement. “Making Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure and its energy system work better for all state residents and businesses is smart economic strategy.”

The five energy and transportation reforms Acadia Center is recommending include:

Modernizing Connecticut’s aging transportation infrastructure to improve safety, access, and convenience, which it said would create 14,900 new, longterm jobs and $2 billion in new wages, primarily from newly created jobs.

Transition electric generation from the large power plant model to cheaper, cleaner and more resilient local power sources, primarily rooftop solar panels and off shore wind power. Officials with the group predicted that “if Connecticut were to pursue a build-out of 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030, it would produce over $3 billion in new economic growth, primarily from construction activities which would take place over time and add at least 4,000 new jobs, focused largely around the state’s deep water ports like New London, Bridgeport, and New Haven.”

Improve energy performance in buildings statewide to reduce costly energy use and emissions, which Acadia Center officials predicted would yield $1.8 billion in economic growth from increased efficiency services, upgrades and renovations as well as about 13,000 jobs.

Reform energy grid rules to reduce high energy costs and speed energy innovation.

Give communities and consumers more control over their energy choices.

Amy McLean Salls, Acadia Center’s Connecticut director, said “newly unleashed investments and innovation will drive economic progress, improve quality of life, and extend benefits to communities and residents who have historically been overlooked.”