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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

CT Sierra Club Looks Back on 2022, Ahead to 2023

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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.

Disclosure: Sierra Club contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, Environment, and Environmental Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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