Politics & Government

Activists Use Earth Day Event to Urge Esty Not to Roll Back Clean Energy Commitments

Connecticut was one of the first states in the nation to require utilities to use more renewable energy sources.

A press release from John Humphries:

Dan Esty, Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), was the keynote speaker at today’s Riverfront Earth Day celebration.  But as he stepped to the podium, he was confronted by the message “Don’t Cut Clean Energy” on a giant banner hoisted above the heads of the crowd. 

Other activists held up signs expressing their disapproval of DEEP’s support for pending legislation that would reduce the state’s commitment to renewable energy.  

People from all across the state gathered at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza on a beautiful spring day, making this event organized by the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network and the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford one of the state's largest Earth Day celebrations.  Since it was launched on April 22, 1970, Earth Day has provided communities with an opportunity to focus on the need to work collectively towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment.  

In addition to brief speeches by Esty, Rev. Tom Carr of First Baptist Church West Hartford, and Dr. Mark Mitchell of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, the 3-hour Riverfront celebration included live music and dance, a variety of information tables, and activities for children. 

Many of the participants marched to the riverfront from St. Patrick St. Anthony Church, where they had gathered for an interfaith prayer service prior to the event.  

“We were very pleased with the turnout,” said Terri Eickel, the Executive Director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN).  “It was wonderful to have such a diverse group of people coming together to express a shared concern for the environment.  There is a growing awareness of the moral imperative to act now to address the causes of climate change.”  

And that growing awareness seems to be what led some participants to take the dramatic step of a visible protest during the keynote speech.  

“We struggled a bit with the decision to confront Commissioner Esty at an event organized by some of our friends,” said Elise Willer of Working Families Organization.  “But he has dismayed many people in the environmental community by championing a proposal to allow electricity from large-scale Canadian hydropower to qualify as a Class I renewable.  It will displace a portion of the state’s current commitment to regional renewables like wind and solar and send money and jobs to Canada.”   

So activists representing several groups decided to be visible but respectful, holding banners and signs and distributing leaflets urging participants to call their legislators to express opposition to the bill (SB1138) championed by Esty and the DEEP.   

Connecticut was one of the first states in the nation to require utilities to use more renewable energy sources. Today, our utilities are required to obtain 20% of Connecticut's electricity from new, clean, renewable sources by 2020. Twenty-eight other states have followed Connecticut's lead, with renewable energy requirements that have played a major role in our nation's 20-fold increase in wind power and 40-fold increase in solar power since 2000.   “Our state is at a crossroads, and the choice is ours,” said Justin Haaheim of 350  Connecticut.

“To be a leader, Connecticut needs to say ‘no’ to rollbacks and embrace real, clean, renewable energy that is the future of electricity generation and job creation. That would include partnering with other states to purchase long-term contracts with wind and other renewable developers to drive down renewable energy costs.”  

Following the speeches and the protest, participants enjoyed a musical performance by local artist Kate Callahan and a water-themed dance performance by the Sonia Plumb Dance Company. 


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