Hartford, CT—Today the Connecticut State Senate voted 28-8 to pass Senate Bill 9, a bill that would help protect Connecticut residents from the impacts of climate change. Resilience is especially needed in Connecticut, a state that could see as much as 24,000 acres of coastal land lost to sea level rise according to a report by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. In the last three years, Connecticut has had six disasters costing between $1 and 4 billion each. Now is the time to ensure Connecticut has plans in place to address these threats. The Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action (CCCA) supports the sections of this bill related to planning for and taking action to protect residents from the impacts of climate change.
SB 9 works towards a safer and healthier Connecticut by protecting people and vulnerable infrastructure from climate impacts like flooding, extreme weather, and heat waves. The bill would:
- Improve transparency about flood risk by requiring flood risk disclosure when someone is buying a home and ensuring that insurance companies inform people that average policies do not include flood coverage.
- Improve planning for residential development by requiring coastal site plan review for construction of single-family homes in areas facing sea level rise.
- Prepare towns to face climate impacts by strengthening roads and bridges against sea level rise; updating evacuation plans for residents to take the safest routes possible during an emergency; and ensuring that our water supplies are protected from inundation and sewage.
- Establish Resiliency Improvement Districts that create a framework authorizing municipalities to finance capital projects addressing climate change mitigation, adaptation, or resilience.
At the time of passage, the bill had 39 co-sponsors, representing mounting support for climate action across the state.
Members of CCCA applauded the Senate’s passage and urged the House to follow.
“SB 9 is a strong indicator of Connecticut’s dedication to protecting communities from the impacts of climate change—something this coastal state can’t afford to ignore,” said Julianna McVeigh, Climate and Resilience Campaigns Manager at Save the Sound.
“We appreciate the legislature’s attention to the impacts of climate change that are already heading our way in addition to the urgent need to slow climate change itself. This bill adds to previous efforts and addresses some of the most critical climate resilience issues such as preparation for the increasing severity of storm events,” said Nathan Frohling, Director of External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy in CT.
“With powerful storms becoming more frequent and devastating, Connecticut must act now. This bill is a necessary step in the monumental effort needed to build a resilient state—one that protects our communities from worsening floods and secures a livable Connecticut for generations to come,” said Shannon Laun, Vice President for Connecticut at Conservation Law Foundation.
“The passing of S.B. 9 is a critical step toward protecting Connecticut communities from the climate impacts we’re already experiencing—flooding, extreme weather, and vulnerable infrastructure. This legislation gives municipalities the tools to prepare for and respond to climate challenges. It also allows for the creation of Resiliency Improvement Districts, giving municipalities a framework to finance capital projects that support climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. By integrating climate data into zoning, housing, emergency planning, and water systems, S.B. 9 better prepares Connecticut to fight the climate crisis, especially for those in our state most impacted by its health-harming effects,” said Julianna Larue, Legislative Organizer, Sierra Club Connecticut
“SB 9 is a positive step forward in addressing climate change by utilizing nature-based solutions to protect our communities from increasing storms, flooding, and weather extremes. Our state leaders have begun to incorporate climate in various planning documents when it comes to water, conservation, and development. We hope the momentum will continue in the final weeks of the legislature so that SB 9 becomes law to help address the environmental challenges facing our state,” said Connor Yakaitis, Deputy Director at CT League of Conservation Voters.
“Faith communities are often on the front lines in times of extreme weather. Houses of worship open their doors to offer refuge to those whose homes have been damaged by floods, hurricanes, or wildfires, and they often act as cooling or warming centers during heat waves and cold snaps. People of faith are already stepping up to address the immediate impacts of climate change, so the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network is grateful to see that the state is helping towns prepare and protect our residents from climate change. SB 9 is an important step in building climate resilience,” said Terri Eickel, Executive Director, Interreligious Eco-Justice Network
The CT Coalition for Climate Action comprises environmental advocates, health experts, labor and municipal representatives, and others advocating for climate action in Connecticut. Formed in 2023, the Coalition’s central demand is that Connecticut keep its promise to cut climate pollution and protect our future. Members of the coalition’s steering committee are Save the Sound, American College of Physicians – CT Chapter, ConnPIRG, Conservation Law Foundation, CT Health Professionals for Climate Action, CT League of Conservation Voters, Environment Connecticut, Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, Mitchell Environmental Health Associates, People’s Action for Clean Energy, Sierra Club CT, and the Nature Conservancy in CT. More information at www.climateactionct.org
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