We must use our voices to fight climate change and protect our planet. And now, the Connecticut Third Act is asking one of the state’s most powerful voices to speak out.
Last month, Third Act Connecticut, the state chapter of the national Third Act advocacy organization of Americans 60 and older, announced further support for Connecticut’s efforts on behalf of sustainable and affordable energy. A letter was delivered to Governor Ned Lamont imploring him to make a statement. This letter is posted on our website here. Everyone please read it.
Why write to the governor now? For us, the troubling events of this summer have been a powerful motivator. Our letter acknowledges that the state of Connecticut is currently embroiled in a political power struggle in which sustainable energy is being scapegoated for the electricity rate hikes that many Connecticut residents have recently experienced. Pointed out.
Widespread misinformation is fueling the fight. We believe that the creators of misinformation are currently controlling the narrative and clouding the claims of sustainability efforts in the process.
We wrote a letter to the governor asking him to help us set the record straight and tell the real story of our state’s sustainability opportunities for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come. The key points of our letter are:
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the best path to combating global warming and lowering your electricity bill.
This summer’s price hikes can’t be solely blamed on a widely praised program that promotes energy efficiency and reimburses power companies for unpaid bills owed by vulnerable Connecticut residents due to the pandemic. Much of the increase can be traced back to the state of Connecticut’s contract with the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant. The deal saved ratepayers more than $200 million just two years ago.
In fact, the main reason for the high electricity bill is simply that we had a hot summer, with July being the hottest on record, making us more reliant on energy-intensive air conditioners. And eliminating greenhouse gas emissions (such as CO2 from combustion and leaked unburned methane) is the best way to combat global warming and reduce your electricity bill.
Offshore wind power is essential to achieving Connecticut’s sustainability goals.
Offshore wind energy has significant potential to meet Connecticut’s sustainable and affordable energy needs and reduce the already evident environmental and economic impacts of global warming. Because of New England’s strong offshore winter winter winds, this technology could provide winter power with reliability and stable prices that fossil fuels cannot provide, as well as a large economy, including many good-wage jobs in Connecticut. brings you benefits.
However, delays in contract negotiations for offshore wind projects risk creating development and supply chain problems, leading to further delays and increased costs. Offshore wind power must be an integral part of Connecticut’s overall decarbonization plan.
We deeply appreciate the Governor’s continued commitment to environmental advocacy. But at this critical time, we also need him to defend this important truth and act in accordance with it. That means the majority of Connecticut residents overwhelmingly support a cleaner environment, fighting climate change, and implementing sustainable energy.
Governor Lamont has a unique role and voice, and an opportunity to make the most meaningful changes in this fight. We look forward to his response.
Peter Festa and Mary Sherwin are members of the Act 3 Connecticut/Energy Democracy team.
