Focus of Their Attention is State Legislature
HARTFORD, Conn. – A group of Trinity College students buttonholed influential state legislators last week in an effort to help win approval of a bill that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus reduce the effects of global warming.
The bill, HB 5600, “An Act Concerning Connecticut Global Warming Solutions,” has been approved by the General Assembly’s Environment Committee and is on its way to the House floor. The Trinity students were part of ConnPIRG’s Campus Climate Challenge, whose goal is to raise awareness and educate college students about global warming and build grassroots support for national, state and local policy, including those here at Trinity.
The Trinity students who participated included Deirdre Silcott, ’10; Brittany Price, ’10; Theresa Meehan, ’11; and Elisabeth Cianciola, ’10. They spoke with Sen. Edward Meyer of Guilford, the Senate chairman of the Environment Committee, as well as with Sen. John McKinney of Fairfield, the ranking member of the committee; and Rep. Jack Hennessy of Bridgeport, also a member of the panel.
The Trinity contingent is also planning a public forum later this month as the bill nears a vote in the House.
The far-reaching measure under consideration by the legislature would create a schedule for Connecticut to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; create a statewide program for such a reduction; create a Climate Change Impacts Subcommittee; require certain facilities to report their greenhouse gas emissions; require low-carbon fuel standards for all motor vehicle and home heating fuels sold in the state; and prohibit load-serving entities from entering into agreements that would exceed a certain carbon dioxide limit.
The bill also would require state agencies to include an analysis of greenhouse gas emissions when conducting an environmental review of a new program; require that the State Building Code be revised to reflect more stringent energy standards; create a new class of certified energy inspectors; require all new construction and major renovations to be certified by such inspectors; and eliminate the requirement that the state’s budget office submit a report regarding state carbon dioxide emissions.
The Trinity students’ engagement in the issue of global warming is not new.
In November, more than 50 students journeyed to the University of Maryland, where they attended Power Shift 2007, the first-ever national youth summit on global warming.
Also, in late January, about 2,000 schools and faith and civic institutions participated in “Focus the Nation,” which was a national teach-in on the climate. Organizers estimate that about 1 million people attended one of the many events that were held.
At Trinity, a Solar Jam will be held on April 24, with the goal of educating students about global warming and building grassroots support for the green building policy. A campus band and a cappella groups will perform.
In addition, on April 19, a Clean Car Show will be held as part of Spring Weekend. The objective is to educate students about clean car technology.
Trinity President James F. Jones Jr. last summer signed the College and University President’s Climate Commitment. He subsequently appointed members to a task force that will make recommendations on the kinds of things that the College can do to help make the campus green and reduce energy consumption.