By the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
In a significant development, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has withdrawn
SEMA-opposed regulation that would have required the state to adopt California's strict motor-vehicle emissions laws and outlaw the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered cars beginning in 2035.
The move to withdraw the regulation came after bipartisan opposition from state lawmakers, with the governor acknowledging that the proposal lacked sufficient support to pass the legislature's Regulation Review Committee. Unlike the Democratic-controlled legislature, the Committee is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.
Governor Lamont, however, has not abandoned the pursuit of more stringent emissions standards, indicating that he will explore alternative avenues to address the issue, either by seeking legislative action in 2024 or potentially calling a special session in 2023.
"We are pleased that Governor Lamont has listened to the concerns of Connecticut residents and withdrawn this harmful proposal," said Christian Robinson, SEMA's senior director of state government affairs and grassroots. "SEMA believes that Connecticut residents, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. Data shows that a successful path to lowering emissions is an all-of-the-above approach to utilizing multiple technologies, not just simply banning one technology in favor of another."
For more information, contact Robinson at christianr@sema.org.