🌎 Earth Week at the Capitol

On Earth Day we showed up strong at the Capitol to celebrate Earth Week and push for bold climate action.

 

Here’s what we were up to:

 

• Tabled at Land Conservation Day: Connecting with advocates and highlighting the importance of protecting open space.

• Hosted a Make Polluters Pay Lobby Day: Meeting with legislators and demanding accountability from the biggest polluters.

• Co-hosted the Climate Coalition’s Climate Poster Contest: Uplifting youth voices and creativity in the climate movement. 

• Co-hosted the Clean Transportation Lobby Day: Advocating for clean transportation and electric school buses

 

With just 4 days left in the 2026 Legislative Session, we’re in the final stretch. Key decisions are being made right now that will shape the future of climate policy in Connecticut.

 

What’s happened so far?
Here are important bills that have been approved by one chamber of the legislature so far:

 

S.B 452 – An Act Concerning The Release Of Lighter-Than-Air Balloons 

Lighter-than-air balloons can travel long distances before returning to the ground, where they contribute to litter and pose serious risks to wildlife and marine ecosystems. This bill strengthens environmental protections by prohibiting the intentional release of such balloons in Connecticut and requiring retailers to attach weights to prevent accidental releases. 

 

H.B. 5155 – An Act Concerning Pesticide Reporting Modernization

Pesticide use in Connecticut is not always easy to track, making it harder to understand impacts on public health, pollinators, and the environment. This bill modernizes the state’s approach to pesticide reporting by establishing a working group to evaluate the creation of a searchable database that can collect, organize, and store data on pesticide sales and use.

 

We need your support
Now is the time to contact your legislators and encourage them to co-sponsor and support our priority bills. 

 

Take Action

All of these bills are now at a critical stage in the legislative process. Contact your state legislators and ask them to co-sponsor and support these priorities. You can use this TEMPLATE to send a message.  Sharing your voice helps ensure that environmental and climate policy remain a priority in Connecticut policy decisions. 

 

H.B. 5156 – An Act Concerning a Climate Change Superfund

Connecticut has been experiencing increasingly severe weather events that are causing millions of dollars in damage, driven largely by the climate crisis. A small number of major fossil fuel companies are responsible for a significant share of global emissions. This bill establishes a Climate Change Superfund to ensure that the largest fossil fuel corporations contribute to the costs of climate-related damages, rather than leaving those costs entirely to taxpayers. It is designed to promote fairness, accountability, and financial relief for Connecticut communities. Please send a message to your legislators  asking them to co-sponsor and support this bill. 

 

H.B. 5340 – An Act Concerning Renewable Power Generation

Solar energy is essential for addressing climate change, lowering energy costs, and strengthening the electric grid. As I write this article, the bill is still being negotiated. In its original form it would have reauthorized Connecticut’s residential, nonresidential, and shared solar programs, which would otherwise expire without legislative action. It authorized innovative approaches such as plug-in solar and agrivoltaics, and expanded access for low-income and environmental justice communities through a targeted pilot program. The goal is to ensure that clean energy benefits are widely shared across the state. But all of this is in danger as the bill is negotiated. Urge your Lawmakers to pass a solar bill that moves solar forward, not backward.

 

H.B. 5524 – An Act Concerning the State’s Materials Management System

Connecticut currently produces more waste than it can process, leading to the costly practice of exporting nearly half of its trash to out-of-state landfills. At the same time, aging incinerators are closing and landfill capacity is shrinking. This bill strengthens waste reduction and diversion efforts by expanding organic waste requirements, banning most polystyrene food service products, restricting certain single-use items, prioritizing food donation, and increasing funding opportunities for sustainable materials management. It focuses on reducing waste at the source while lowering long-term costs.

 

S.B. 319 – An Act Concerning the Use of Battery-Powered Leaf Blowers and Similar Equipment by the State and Municipalities

Air quality remains a serious concern in Connecticut, with several counties receiving failing grades from the American Lung Association. Gas-powered landscaping equipment contributes significantly to air pollution through emissions such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, which are linked to smog and respiratory illness. This bill supports a transition to battery-powered equipment for state and municipal use, along with financial and technical assistance to help workers and agencies make the switch.

 

S.B. 453 – An Act Concerning a Climate Change Related Surcharge on Certain Insurance Policies

Connecticut residents are already paying for the impacts of climate-related disasters, including millions in federal assistance following major weather events. This bill creates a five percent surcharge on insurance policies covering fossil fuel infrastructure such as pipelines, terminals, refineries, and large-scale energy facilities. Revenue generated would be directed to a climate resilience fund focused on flood mitigation and public awareness efforts. The intent is to shift some of the financial burden of climate impacts away from taxpayers and toward those most responsible for emissions.

 

S.J. 37 – Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution Concerning Environmental Rights

Clean air and clean water are fundamental to health, safety, and quality of life. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment recognizing environmental rights in Connecticut. Currently, only a small number of states explicitly protect these rights at the constitutional level. This measure would ensure that environmental protections are treated as fundamental rights, alongside other core civil and political liberties.

 

H.B. 5155 – An Act Concerning Pesticide Reporting Modernization

Pesticide use in Connecticut is not always easy to track, making it harder to understand impacts on public health, pollinators, and the environment. This bill modernizes the state’s approach to pesticide reporting by establishing a working group to evaluate the creation of a searchable database that can collect, organize, and store data on pesticide sales and use.

 

With the session ending soon, every moment counts. We’ll continue advocating for strong policies and keeping you updated on how to take action in these final days.

 

Let’s finish the session strong.

 

Julianna Larue is an organizer at Sierra Club Connecticut, focusing on our state legislative efforts.