The General Assembly’s Legislative Regulation Review Committee (LRRC) has unanimously approved updates to carbon dioxide emissions regulations that strengthen the state’s commitment to a zero-carbon grid by 2040.

The regulations, proposed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in coordination with other states who are part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), make a number of improvements including an additional 30 percent regional CO2 emissions cap between 2020 and 2030.

RGGI is the nation’s first market-based regulatory program to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. Under the program, power plants must purchase allowances to emit CO2 in a multi-state auction. The number of allowances is reduced over time, decreasing emissions in the region, and proceeds from the sale of the allowances go to fund energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives.

“The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has been successfully driving down carbon emissions and driving up investment in renewables and efficiency across the Northeast,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “We applaud the Legislative Regulation Review Committee for taking action during Climate Week to enable Connecticut to join our sister states in committing to an additional 30 percent emissions reduction through this program.”

Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont have all updated their regulations to reflect the program changes. New York, Maine, and New Hampshire are still in the process to follow suit.

In December of 2017, the participating states concluded an intensive review of the RGGI program and released an updated Model Rule (2017 Model Rule). The 2017 Model Rule adopted improvements that will ensure RGGI's continued success and cost-effectively reduce CO2 emissions while providing benefits to consumers and the region.

Connecticut's sale of allowances through the 45 quarterly auctions held since the first auction in September 2008 has generated more than $218 million in proceeds. Currently, Connecticut invests proceeds in supporting the energy efficiency programs and advancing the development of Class I renewable energy sources via the Connecticut Green Bank.