Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday applauded state legislators for passing a bill with a broad set of measures for reducing emissions from vehicles, including adopting California’s medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (MHDV) emissions standards.

The California regulations and other initiatives in the bill are an “important step” and will help “get the state headed back in the right direction” on greenhouse gas emissions reductions, Lamont said in a statement, adding that he looks forward to signing the bill.

The bill (SB 4) passed the House of Representatives 95-52 on Friday following Senate approval earlier in the week.

As enacted, the bill authorizes the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to adopt regulations in line with the California MHDV standards, but it does not require or set a time frame for adoption.

MHDVs are responsible for 25% of GHG emissions in the transportation sector, which is the largest source of emissions in the state at 37%, according to DEEP.

Buses

SB 4 would update transit bus mandates and create new electric school bus mandates.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation would no longer be allowed to purchase diesel-fueled transit buses after 2024. ConnDOT’s electric bus initiative already has a goal of converting 60% of the state’s 600-bus transit fleet five years ahead of an existing full-conversion mandate for 2035, and all buses would be electric by 2031.

In addition, all school buses in the state would have to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2040, and an interim target would require all school buses serving environmental justice communities to be ZEVs by 2030. A separate interim mandate for 2035 would require all school buses to be either ZEVs or alternative fuel vehicles, which include buses powered all or in-part by liquefied or compressed natural gas, hydrogen, propane or biofuels.

As of the beginning of this year, Connecticut had two electric school buses in operation, according to data released by the World Resources Institute. DEEP, however, awarded Volkswagen settlement funds in December for the purchase of 43 electric school buses that serve seven environmental justice communities.

The bill would also direct DEEP to establish a program to provide matching funds for towns and bus operators to apply for competitive federal grants. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, $5 billion is available for clean school bus grants.

Additional Measures

SB 4 would set additional measures for equitable EV charger installations and clean vehicle purchase incentives.

By 2024, all rental property owners would have to approve qualified requests from renters for installation of chargers. The bill establishes guidelines for those installations, including use by multiple renters and liability insurance policies. Starting next year, the bill would require the installation of EV chargers at any newly constructed state buildings, commercial buildings and multi-unit dwellings.

In addition, DEEP would have to establish a Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate program. Up to $3 million annually would be available for the purchase of EVs, plug-in hybrids and fuel-cell electric vehicles. And the bill would update the existing EV rebate program by increasing rebate amounts and increasing the cap on the cost of vehicles that can qualify for rebates.

Clean Power Bills

Lamont has signaled that he will sign a bill (SB 10) he introduced in February that would establish a zero-carbon electric grid mandate for 2040. The House of Representatives passed the bill 113-35 on Thursday following unanimous approval by the Senate earlier in the week.

“By codifying our zero-carbon electric grid target into state law, we are providing a critical direction for state and local agencies, utility companies and other partners as we collectively plan and implement Connecticut’s energy policies over the coming years,” Lamont said.

Legislators also sent a bill (SB 176) to the governor last week that would double the caps for the state’s non-residential and subscription-based renewable energy system programs.

“I’m excited by the prospects of these programs, especially the increased solar installation capacity for non-residential installation and the benefits these changes will provide for low-income customers,” Sen. Norm Needleman, chair of the Senate Energy and Technology Committee, said in a statement.

SB 176 would also increase the total capacity for a non-residential solar array by removing restrictions on the amount of rooftop space that a project can use.