Report: State is cleaning air, saving money

May 31, 2023

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HARTFORD — Connecticut is saving money and cleaning the air, under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative that is aiming at a 35-percent reduction in carbon pollution by 2030, a new report indicates.

"We can cut carbon pollution and build a stronger economy, which is a win-win for Connecticut," said Melanie Perl, campaign organizer for the non-profit Environment Connecticut. "Whether you area child suffering from asthma or a business that manufactures clean, energy-efficient electrical systems, this program is helping everyone in significant ways while protecting our climate for generations to come."

In particular, the Children's Medical Center in Hartford, using grants available under the RGGI program that allows polluters to pay for emitting airborne waste, saves more than $23,000 a year on electricity after it upgraded ts lighting and cooling systems.

The hospital, which saves about 140 metric tons of carbon - about the annual pollution of 30 passenger cars of 20 homes - is one of several projects throughout the Northeast region highlighted in the report.

Anne Hulick, a nurse who is state director for the non-profit Clean Water Action, said dirty air and higher temperature results in increased health problems and vector-borne ailments like West Nile virus.

"Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, people of low socio-economic income status and children, and those with pre-existing conditions are extremely at-risk."

Emily Lewis, a policy analyst at the Acadia Center, a regional non-profit focused on market-based, consumer-friendly programs, said the hospital has conserved a lot of electricity. "By reducing load, they’re reducing costs for everybody," said Lewis, noting that the RGGI brought $160 million in proceeds to Connecticut through April, 2016 that was mostly invested in energy efficiency.

Lewis estimated that about $245 million has been added to the Connecticut economy by the program.

"You can see that this is a great return on investment with proceeds coming in being only $160 (million) and adding $245 (million in value so far," she said. "It's lowered emissions without raising costs for consumers."

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