Connecticut January Global Warming Events

Climate Change Stakeholder Meeting on Building Fossil Fuel Use
The next state public stakeholder meeting to improve CT's climate plan will be held on
When: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Where: Middlesex Community College from 8:30 a.m- 12:30 p.m. What: The focus of the meeting is greenhouse gas reductions in the area of home heating and building energy usage. Come hear presentations from speakers and offer your suggestions and input on what should be done. Directions are posted at http://ctclimatechange.com/stakeholder.html
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to c4info@ctclimatechange.com (in part to ensure the right amount of planet-friendly food is available!)

FOCUS THE NATION- Climate Teach-ins
On and around January 31, 2008, Focus The Nation, an unprecedented educational initiative around the issue of global warming, is coming to more than 1000 campuses in every state of the nation. Find CT events: vist http://www.focusthenation.org/actionmap/?type=state&stateprov=ct to find the over 30 Connecticut-based events including events at the UConn schools, Yale, and Wesleyan and more with interesting and noted speakers, panels and discussions. Highlighted events here: http://ctclimatechange.com/Events.htmlAlso look for a streaming national webcast on Wednesday January 30th at 8PM called the "2% Solution" which will be screened at many of these schools. http://www.focusthenation.org/2percentsolution.php

Featured event: US Congressmen to speak at CCSU on 1/30/08
At Connecticut Central State University (New Britain) on Wednesday January 30th look for a panel with US Representative Larson and Murphy from 7-8PM and ask questions on what Congress is doing to achieve needed reductions (15-20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050) and have polluters pay for their pollution.http://www.ccsu.edu/ccsuclimate/symposium.htm

Hearing on draft Connecticut Electricity Plan
What: The 2007 CT energy bill calls for the creation of a new energy plan which puts efficiency before new power plants. The reconstituted Connecticut Energy Advisory Board (CEAB) is currently seeking public comment on a draft "Integrated Resource Plan" plan in writing or at a public hearing. Help put CT on a new energy path by commenting on and supporting the parts of the plan which talk about dramatically increasing efficiency and question sections which suggest turning to new nuclear plants.How to help:Email rsmith@cleanwater.org to receive talking points to help you with testimony as soon as they are completed.Submit public comments by 2/7/08: Submit Comments by emailing G. Deans at gdeans@cerc.com or mailing comments to CEAB in care of G. Deans at CERC, 805 Brook St., Bldg. 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
Testify before the CEAB: A public hearing will be held on February 13, 2008 in Room 2D of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford at 4 p.m.Read a summary of the plan by the CEAB here
Read the plan itself here
Stay up to date with the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board's activities here: http://www.ctenergy.org

Warming of CT premiers 6/26/07

A new documentary featuring IREJN Director Andrea Cohen-Kiener and others who work on issues of climate change will premier on CPTV tonight, June 26. A live town meeting will follow. Check for your local station here.

IREJN is Connecticut's Interfaith Power and Light. Visit us at http://www.irejn.org/.

Happy Birthday Connecticut Climate Plan!

As of February 15, 2007, the Connecticut Climate Plan is two years old. How's our toddler doing? According to a report by Marc Breslow, PhD and Roger Smith, not so hot.

Of the top 14 policies in the plan which account for over 90% of the pollution reductions, only about half have been acted upon. Key policies which need to be implemented include: reducing "black carbon" diesel soot, prioritizing energy efficiency for heating and electricity, significantly increasing mass transit and curbing sprawl and restoring the raided energy efficiency fund and clean energy fund.

In addition the climate plan must be revised to take advantage of new and creative policies such as but not limited to "pay as you drive insurance" where driving less can save you money, tax exemptions for 40MPG+ cars (not just hybrids), and generators should be made to pay for their pollution under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with revenue reinvested in efficiency for consumers.
IREJN is Connecticut's Interfaith Light and Power. Visit us at www.irejn.org.