This is the official proclamation from the office of the Governor declaring the week of September 14-22 to be Drive Electric Week and highlighting the benefits that moving to EVs will have on emission reduction and public health.
The EV Coalition of CT has issued its own press release that highlights some specific actions occurring to support the effort to lower transportation emission levels and provide info on other local NDEW events.
Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition applauds Governor Lamont for proclaiming September 2019 as Electric Vehicle Month
Hartford, Conn. – The Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition is thrilled that Governor Ned Lamont, an electric vehicle (EV) owner himself, has recognized the significant environmental and economic benefits of EVs, as well as the necessity of widespread adoption, by proclaiming September 2019 as Electric Vehicle Month and September 14-22 as Drive Electric Week in Connecticut.
“While Washington, D.C., chips away at clean air and climate policies, Connecticut will do the necessary work to address climate change. That is why I have proclaimed September 2019 as Electric Vehicle Month in Connecticut,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “We must rapidly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to meet Global Warming Solutions Act mandates—and with transportation as the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution, it’s the perfect place to start. Nearly 40% of our pollution comes from transportation, especially with so many of our roadways congested, leading to cars idling, and it contributes to health complications across the state and environmental injustices in our cities. By building public awareness of EV benefits, growing Connecticut’s network of charging stations, and generating our electricity with clean renewable sources, we can breathe easier knowing we are doing everything to combat our climate crisis.”
The Global Warming Solutions Act mandates Connecticut reduce carbon emissions 45 percent by 2030. To meet that goal, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) projects that 500,000 passenger cars will need to be electric by 2030, and the Governor’s Council on Climate Change calls for electrification of 30 percent of the statewide fleet of buses and commercial trucks by 2030. Attaining these targets will require rapid growth over the next decade—Connecticut will need about 40% average annual fleet growth to achieve the 500,000 electric vehicle goal.
During the spring 2019 legislative session, policymakers stepped up to the plate and funded $3 million per year for the state’s EV rebate program (CHEAPR), and also directed the state to purchase a minimum level of EVs for the state fleet. Governor Lamont’s first Executive Order, issued on April 24, 2019, includes the state fleet as one of seven areas targeted for emission reductions.
The Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) began work on grid-side system enhancements to integrate heavy-duty electric vehicle fleets earlier in the year, the state’s Codes and Standards Committee is evaluating adoption of an “EV-ready” construction standard for new residential and commercial buildings, and DEEP is developing an EV Roadmap to identify policies, programs, and strategies that the State of Connecticut should pursue to optimize deployment of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure. The Roadmap is expected out this month.
Additional utility revenue from EV charging can support operation and maintenance of the existing electric distribution infrastructure, thus reducing the need for future electricity rate increases. EV growth also provides economic benefits, shifting electric grid revenue back to our region that would otherwise go towards dirty fossil fuels purchased elsewhere. It creates local jobs for skilled workers in infrastructure installation and maintenance, stimulating local economies and generating tax revenue for the state. In addition to these consumer and economic benefits, electric vehicle expansion leads to energy independence, as Connecticut EV drivers are unaffected by fluctuating gas prices and spend less money on imported petroleum products. It is estimated that by 2050, if EV targets are met, Connecticut ratepayers will save $500 million on their electric bills and $1.9 billion in vehicle operating costs.
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The Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition is a diverse group of clean energy advocates and businesses, community justice organizations, labor unions, and local businesses that work together to advance policies that will build out electric vehicle infrastructure and put more electric vehicles on the road in Connecticut. The combination of these two goals will achieve significant economic, health, and climate benefits for the State.
What the Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition members are saying:
“With a huge proportion of dirty carbon emissions coming from the transportation sector, we must accelerate the expansion of electric vehicles in Connecticut in order to keep our climate commitments,” says Charles Rothenberger, Climate and Energy Attorney for Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound. “Electrifying our transportation sector will boost the green economy, save consumers money, keep Connecticut healthy, and reduce our dependence on filthy fossil fuels. Fortunately, Governor Lamont and the legislature jumped behind the wheel this past session showing true initiative to electrify transportation in Connecticut. The next step to speed up EV adoption is for the state to complete and implement the Electric Vehicle Roadmap.”
“The growth of EV adoption in Connecticut demonstrates that the electric mobility revolution is underway,” says Kevin Miller, Director of Public Policy for ChargePoint. “ChargePoint applauds the Lamont Administration and legislature for prioritizing support for transportation electrification, which will help meet statewide energy and environmental goals and ensure that the State has the world-class EV charging network it deserves. We look forward to working with PURA, DEEP, DAS, and other stakeholders to make it easier for Connecticut drivers and riders to go electric.”
Members of the Connecticut Electric Vehicle Coalition
- Acadia Center*
- ChargePoint
- Connecticut Fund for the Environment*
- Connecticut Nurses Association
- Connecticut Roundtable on Climate & Jobs*
- Connecticut Citizen Action Group
- ConnPIRG
- Conservation Law Foundation
- Chispa-CT*
- Clean Water Action*
- CT League of Conservation Voters
- 350 CT
- Drive Electric Cars New England
- Eastern CT Green Action
- Electric Vehicle Club of Connecticut*
- Energy Solutions, LLC
- Environment Connecticut*
- Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition, Inc.
- Hamden Land Conservation Trust
- Hartford Climate Stewardship Council
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers*
- Interreligious Eco-Justice Network
- New Haven Climate Movement
- Northeast Clean Energy Council
- People’s Action for Clean Energy
- Proton OnSite
- Plug In America*
- RENEW Northeast
- Sierra Club*
- Solar Connecticut, Inc.
- Tesla, Inc.
- Union of Concerned Scientists
* Connecticut EV Coalition Steering Committee Membership
DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK EVENTS
Fairfield
Day: Saturday, September 14, 2019
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Fairfield
Fairfield Train Overflow Lot (across from Sportsplex)
140 Mill Plain Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
Glastonbury
Day: Saturday, September 14, 2019
Time: 10:00 AM -2:00 PM
Location: First Church of Christ
2183 Main Street
Glastonbury, CT 06073
Hamden
Day: Saturday, September 14, 2019
Time: 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Miller Public Library
2901 Dixwell Ave
Hamden, CT 06518
Madison
Day: Sunday, September 22, 2019
Time: 1 PM – 4 PM
Location: Madison Senior Center
29 Bradley Road
Madison, CT 06443
Middletown
Day: Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Harbor Park
100 Harbor Park Road
Middletown, CT 06457
New Britain
Day: Sunday, September 22, 2019
Time: 12:00 – 4:00
Location: Central Conn. State University
1615 Stanley Street
New Britain, CT 06053
Old Saybook
Day: Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time: 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Saybrook Point Pavilion
155 College Street
Old Saybook, CT 06475
Oxford
Day: Saturday, September 14, 2019
Time: 10:00am- 2:00pm
Location: Quarry Walk
300 Oxford Rd
Oxford, CT 06478
Southbury
Day: Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time: 10am -2pm
Location: Southbury Town Hall Green
775 Main Street South
Southbury, CT 06488
South Windsor
Day: Saturday, September 14, 2019
Time: 9am to 12pm
Location: South Windsor Community Center (Farmers Market)
150 Nevers Road
South Windsor, CT 06074
West Hartford
Day: Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time: 9 – 1pm
Location: West Hartford Town Hall
Main St
West Hartford, CT 06106
Windsor
Day: Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Bart’s Drive-In Restaurant
55 Palisado Avenue
Windsor, CT 06095