CT Sierra Club Looks Back on 2022, Ahead to 2023
Edwin J. Viera, Producer
Friday, December 9, 2022
As the year comes to a close, the Sierra Club of Connecticut is looking back on some of its accomplishments and challenges.
The group focuses on battling climate change and supporting environmentally friendly policies. Its members have worked in 2022 for phasing out fossil fuel incentives at the state's Energy Efficiency Board, and to establish an electricity rate for lower-income households.
Samantha Dynowski, the club's state director in Connecticut, described some of the challenges the Sierra Club faces in meeting their goals.
"Probably the biggest challenge is that our utilities don't really want to change," Dynowski asserted. "They are investor-owned, they're looking to profit and maintain their profit, and don't have an interest in getting the state off fossil fuels."
While the group reached some goals this year, she said others will be accomplished in 2023. One in particular is helping get a bill passed to prohibit fossil-fuel heating systems in new construction. The Sierra Club would also like to see fare-free transportation be made permanent in Connecticut, rather than a series of temporary extensions.
In the new year, Dynowski wants to work on moving the state to zero-emission electricity generation, and to advocate for more rights for renters, as well as extending the current eviction moratorium.
She sees the federal government's push for climate-friendly policies as aiding their work.
"One thing to keep in mind is, the federal government has made some massive leaps forward and is investing in clean energy in the state," Dynowski pointed out. "So, we have that momentum moving that will help, I think, move us towards some of the solutions that we've been advocating for."
She added federal money being invested in the state could help with climate-friendly goals. For now, she said the Sierra Club of Connecticut is eager to get to work in 2023.
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