Emissions Charges and Necessity as Mother of Invention

In a New York Times op-ed article published today, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Environmental Protection, Dan Esty, and world renown economic competitiveness authority Michael Porter, explain how greenhouse gas emissions charges would unleash entrepreneurial spirit and innovation across a broad range of enterprises - from multinational businesses to back-of-the-garage inventors.

The authors make a case that innovation in energy productivity and renewable energy would help stimulate global growth and free up resources to meet other pressing needs.

The authors write that the best way to drive energy innovation would be a modest emissions charge of $5 per ton of greenhouse gases beginning in 2012, rising to $100 per ton by 2032. The low initial charge, starting next year, would make the short-term burden on consumers and businesses almost negligible.

If necessity is the mother of invention, then emissions charges may be just the kick in the pants that modern society needs to change our fossil fuel ways.

DECD Appointment Another Win for the Environment

Governor Dannel Malloy is making good on his December 2010 declaration to environmental advocates when he said, “Your issues are my issues.”   On the heels of appointing energy and environment expert Dan Esty as Commissioner of Environmental Protection, today Malloy appointed another commissioner with strong ties to the environmental field:  Catherine Smith, now CEO of ING US Retirement Services, is on the Board of Directors for Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Trust for Public Land, and Outward Bound USA.

Excerpts from the Governor’s press release:

(HARTFORD, CT) – In one of his highest profile appointments to date, Governor Dannel P. Malloy today named ING executive Catherine Smith to lead the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). Smith, who lives in Northford, has worked for ING for the past 10 years; prior to that, she worked at Aetna for 17 years.

…  Smith is currently the Chief Executive Officer of ING U.S. Retirement Services, a position she’s held since 2008. In this capacity, Smith helped ING weather the recession and retain customers, while helping them to navigate the economic storm. Smith managed 3,000 employees and had oversight of sales, marketing, operations, customer service, product development, risk management and finance.

…  Smith graduated from Hampshire College and received her Masters in Public and Private Management from Yale University. She is on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Trust for Public Land, and Outward Bound USA. She has been recognized by the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

DECD Commissioner Appointment Coming Today

Governor Malloy is expected to announce his appointment for CT’s Commissioner of Economic & Community Development today at 2:30 at State Capitol Room 310.

Rumors abound as to whom it will be.  Who’s next - maybe Michael Porter, of industry cluster fame? ;)

The Courant’s Jon Lender and the Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas report.

Caution Urged on Expedited Permitting Proposal: A CTLCV Audio Interview

We’re in the midst of the 2010 legislative session, so important bills are starting to move through the legislative process.

We talked with Roger Reynolds, a senior attorney with the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, about an important bill in the Planning & Development Committee.  The bill is expected to be taken up by that committee on Monday afternoon, March 22.

It’s House Bill 5208, entitled “An Act Concerning Expedited Permitting for Economic Development.”

On the surface, it may sound like a good idea, but Roger points out its serious consequences for undermining longstanding environmental protection measures.

Click on the icon to listen in on our conversation.*

Care to call the Planning & Development Committee leaders?  Your opinion will have the most impact if you call before 1pm March 22.  You can reach them here:

• Co-Chair: Brendan Sharkey:
  Brendan.Sharkey@cga.ct.gov ; 860.240.8585
• Co-Chair: Eric D. Coleman:
  Eric.Coleman@cga.ct.gov ; 860-240-5302
• Vice Chair Jonathan Harris:
  Harris@senatedems.ct.gov ; 860-240-0567
• Vice Chair Thomas Drew:
  Thomas.Drew@cga.ct.gov; 860.240.8500
• Ranking Member Leonard A. Fasano:
  Len.fasano@cga.ct.gov; 800. 842-1421
• Ranking Member William Aman:
  Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov; 860-240-8700

*We’re new at this so our audio quality is a work in progress.  Thanks for your patience!

Connecticut’s Green Jobs Makers

- Kelly Kennedy, CTLCV

Kudos to the Connecticut Fund for the Environment for assembling a Google map of Connecticut’s green industry.  Maybe it’s time for a new industry cluster so Connecticut can genuinely position itself for the inevitable shift to a clean energy economy.   We have clusters for bioscience, aerospace, software/IT, metal manufacturing, maritime, plastics, agriculture, and insurance & services.

Map Key
Red: Solar (design, installation, supply)
Aqua: Alternative Energy (geothermal, wind, other)
Yellow: Architecture, Green Building Design
Blue: Weatherization & Efficiency Retrofit, Builders
Pink: Electrical Efficiency & Lighting (consulting, installation, supply)
Green: Fuel cell, Research, Manufacturing
Purple: Development, Finance
---

Why not?  As the Department of Economic & Community Development website states,  the Industry Cluster Initiative “puts Connecticut companies on the fast track; develops the resources needed to compete globally; achieves sustained, measurable growth in jobs, education levels, start-ups and R&D funding; and ensures that positive results extend beyond a single contract, company or city.” 

It’s worrisome that aside from frequently noting the state’s high energy costs, the state’s Strategic Economic Development Plan says little about a vision and plan for developing the clean, green business sector, deferring mostly to Governor' Rell’s 2006 Energy Vision.

Anyway…  You can click on the green business map above to enlarge it.  And if you’re a part of Connecticut’s burgeoning green industry and you’re not listed, email CFE at survey@cfenv.org to get added to the map.