Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, a Democrat, has withdrawn his ambitious proposal to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, marking a significant retreat from aggressive climate change policies. This decision has been hailed as a victory for consumer choice and economic pragmatism by Republican leaders and energy market advocates.
The proposal, initially framed as a decisive step towards meeting climate pollution reduction targets, faced mounting bipartisan criticism over concerns about the state’s electric grid capacity, the financial burden on middle-class families, and the overall readiness for an EV-only future.
Critics, including Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly, argued that such a substantial policy shift should be decided by the General Assembly, not through executive action.
Chris Herb, the president of the Connecticut Energy Markets Association, remarked, “This is victory for consumers who would have paid a big price tag for the state’s efforts to ban gas powered cars and trucks in the future.”
He added, “However, the battle may not be over. It’s unclear what could happen next, but CEMA will continue to be vigilant in our opposition…
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