CT AMC Conservation Committee
Environmental Protection and Conservation Issues - 2006
The Connecticut General Assembly is moving into its final month of activity. The following list of bills represent the most important initiatives to protect the environment (with the exception of the Sunday Hunting Bill) Each bill has passed its committee of original and now will move on to other committees and action on the floor of the House and Senate.
I encourage everyone to contact their State Representative and State Senator about these bills. Ask them to co-sponsor and vote for the good bills and oppose the Sunday Hunting Bill. Ask them to let you know what happened at the end of the session.
Bills to Support
ATV Registration: HB 5806 This bill passed today requires universal registration of ATV's ($75), requires the funds raised be used to buy land for ATV use as well as more enforcement officers to police illegal ATV use, increases fines for illegal use of ATVs and prohibits ATV use on state land purchased for conservation or recreational use (state parks and forests). ATV lobby opposed the bill.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): SB 657 This bill begins a phase out and ultimately bans a class of toxic flame retardants widely used in consumer products such as bedding, TV and Computer Enclosures, drapery etc. The chemicals have been linked to neurological and developmental problems in children and are building up in human beings at an alarming rate. Safer alternatives exist which perform the same function.
Water Conservation/Stream flow Protection: HB 5277 Allows the DEP to begin to regulate water diversions in order to protect stream flows.
Mt. Frissell: SB 609 This bill sets aside state monies to erect a monument on the state highpoint on the shoulder of Mt. Frissell.
Clean Cars: SB 660 This bill which offers sales tax exemptions to promote hy-brid cars and certain public education on global warming, passed today. Increased taxes on gas guzzling hi emission vehicles was unfortunately removed.
Clean Diesel: SB 642 This bill requires retrofits for diesel trucks and buses receiving state monies. It will protect our kids by cleaning the air inside school buses which are contaminated with diesel particulates which cause asthma attacks. Diesel particulates contain carcinogenic chemicals and contribute significantly to global warming.
E-Waste: SB 196. This bill will require an Advanced Recovery Fee be collected on computers and other consumer electronics to fund a collection and recycling program. Electronics contain many toxic components and represent a huge part of the waste stream. Along with the Bottle Bill this recycling expansion will help prevent Climate Change by reusing our resources.
Bottle Bill Expansion: HB 5275. Adds bottled water to the list of beverages requiring a 5 cent deposit in order to increase recycling. This important expansion of recycling is opposed as inconvenient by Supermarkets like Stop and Shop. Deposit laws result in a dramatically higher rate of collection/recycling and a dramatic reduction in litter and waste.
Light Pollution: HB 5051. This bill seeks to continue Connecticut's effort to restore the night sky and reduce energy consumption and waste by requiring the use of "full cut-off" outdoor lighting on state buildings and other facilities. Full cut-off lighting reduces glare and prevents up lighting which causes sky-glow and diminishes our view of the universe.
Green Building: SB 191 An important part of the anti-global warming effort, this bill requires state funded buildings to meet "green building standards" which minimize energy consumption and waste.
Open Space Encroachment Protection: HB 5447 will increase penalties for developers and others who damage or encroach upon lands which have been set aside as protected open space.
Bills to Oppose/Watch
Sunday Hunting: SB 605 This bill is a narrowly crafted bill which will allow Sunday Bow Hunting during the bow-hunting Deer Season September 15 through January, but only in areas designated by the DEP Commissioner as in need of additional hunting to control deer populations. I opposed the bill as I think it is a first step for expanded Sunday Hunting in the future.
Horses: HB 5449 A bill which would have allowed horses on many if not all state and municipal trails was turned into a study. We need to keep an eye on this bill.