FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Senator Henri Martin Criticizes Democratic Plan to Make Home Heating Oil & Gasoline More Expensive

March 23, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2023

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Senator Henri Martin Criticizes Democratic Plan to Make Home Heating Oil & Gasoline More Expensive

HARTFORD- Today, Senator Henri Martin (R- Bristol) stood against proposed Democratic policy, S.B. 1145, An Act Concerning the Establishment of Sector Specific Subtargets for Greenhouse gas Emissions Reductions and Regulating Emissions of Small-Off Road Engines. This proposal marks a complete abdication of legislative authority, outsourcing environmental policymaking to the state of California and allowing for subsequent new taxes and penalties to be levied on Connecticut’s families without legislative approval.

Sen. Martin said, “The cost of home heating oil is already crippling individuals and families throughout the state. Connecticut remains one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country. Democratic policy makers pass additional taxes and fees onto the consumer with little thought towards the impact they will have on people’s pockets.”

“We did it in 2019 with the No Tolls campaign, and we will do it again with S.B. 1145. We cannot continue to add senseless and unnecessary taxes to bills that are already skyrocketing. I am committed to working with my Senate colleague and Ranking Member of the Environment Committee, Sen. Harding, to ensure that we have done everything possible to prevent this policy from passing as written,” Martin concluded.

S.B. 1145:

  • Allows the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to join in programs that place new taxes on gasoline and other fuels.
  • Allows DEEP to enter TCI and other fuel tax programs without the legislature’s approval.
  • Allows DEEP to implement “market-based compliance mechanisms”, i.e., cap and trade or carbon taxes, without legislative approval.
  • Authorizes DEEP to lock Connecticut into emissions programs which are regressive and would disproportionately impact low- and middle-income working families and seniors on fixed incomes.
  • Shifts authority from the legislature to DEEP by allowing DEEP to enter into agreements with other states and the Canadian provinces on emissions programs that will increase the cost of energy.

The Environment Committee meets at 10 AM on Friday, March 24 in Room 2B of the Legislative Office Building. The meeting can be viewed live here.

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