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The state Senate unanimously passed a landmark Global Warming bill Tuesday. If Governor Rell signs it, Connecticut will be the fifth state in the country to create mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors.

Connecticut already has limits on emissions from power plants. But if signed by the Governor this legislation would establish a mandatory cap on the net total greenhouse gas emissions statewide including transportation. It would require agencies to find ways to cut global warming pollution ten percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 2001 levels by 2050.

Christopher Phelps of Environment Connecticut says four years ago Connecticut set goals to reduce emissions, but nothing was required.

“This is a watershed when it comes to global warming policy. We’ve moved from saying we’re going to make a good effort to cut emissions to saying... we’re going to cut emissions, we’re mandating a cut in emissions to what the scientific community tell us is necessary.”

Phelps says the bill would set the bar for Congress and the rest of the country to cut emissions. Washington, California, Hawaii and New Jersey are the only states with mandatory caps.