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The legislative session wrapped up last night at midnight. Environmental advocates say a few big things were accomplished, but there were a lot of disappointments

When Senator Ed Meyer took over the helm as the senate chair of the state’s environment committee he and environmental advocates agreed on one big goal: increase the funding for the Department of Environmental Protection, but that didn’t happen.

“We have a very weakened D.E.P. --- understaffed, unable to monitor the permit process. You know this was my number one priority this session was to strengthen the D.E.P. and because of keeping the same budget as last year we did not do that.”

For environmental advocates unified around the DEP this was disappointing. But lawmakers did pass a landmark global warming bill. Curt Johnson of the Connecticut Fund for the Environment says Connecticut is now one of the states leading the way by mandating a reduction in greenhouse gases.

“Which is exactly the kind of model that states need to hold up to Washington DC as we move forward in solving the greatest environmental threat of our generation.”

Lawmakers also passed a bill that would limit the amount of lead in children toys sold in Connecticut and would ban toys that have asbestos in paint. Lawmakers also approved an environmental justice bill designed to give communities that already have a number of polluting facilities a bigger voice when new projects are proposed for those neighborhoods. And lawmakers directed $5 million towards purchasing as many as 30 clean buses. Again, Curt Johnson.

“We’re step by step rebuilding a strong and usable bus system in this state and that’s absolutely a critical factor and ones that often overlooked when we talk about mass transit .”

There were two major efforts this session to protect rivers and wetlands. Both failed to pass. A bill designed to limit development alongside rivers and streams and another proposal that would have clarified wetlands laws didn’t make it over the finish line.

Environmental advocates champion a wide range of causes, from clean transportation to open space protection. This year the environment committee reported more than 70 bills out of committee.
Some environmental advocates say next year if environmental groups prioritize fewer bills they might get more bills passed. Lori Brown of the League of Conservation Voters says in other states this has been an effective strategy for environmentalists.

“I think to really help legislators and guide them we need to get together better as a community and work together and determine what are the top 3 to 5 priorities that we know have to get passed this session to make a significant impact on Connecticut environmental policy.”

Brown says several groups are leaning towards this “less is more” strategy. This year out of fourteen bills supported by her group only six passed.