January 11, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today commented on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the proposed Broadwater Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Storage and Regasification Facility in Long Island Sound.

 

“I am very concerned about the final environmental report on the Broadwater project released today by the FERC.  It minimizes the potential dangers to the health of Long Island Sound’s fragile ecosystem and does not adequately prove that suggested mitigation measures will be enough to protect the Sound. While I understand the need for increased energy resources in our region, I believe Broadwater is too dangerous and disruptive to the environment and remain opposed to the project.”

Connecticut Poised to Recieve Approximately $68,000,000 in Domestic Appropriations and $25,500,00o in Military Construction

December 19, 2007

Today, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) announced the passage of the fiscal year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.  The legislation will provide approximately $68 million in funding for a variety of important Connecticut initiatives supporting economic development, education, healthcare, housing, public safety, transportation, and military construction.

December 6, 2007

Recognizing the need for American businesses to more fully disclose how they report business activities related to climate risk, and for investors to have access to better information regarding climate risks, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Senator Jack Reed, D-R.I., Chairman of the Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment, today wrote to Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Chris Cox to urge the SEC to issue guidance on climate disclosure requirements.

October 18, 2007

"Today we celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which was signed into law on October 18, 1972. This landmark law to reduce water pollution represented a crucial step toward reversing years of environmental neglect and abuse. Over its 35 years, the Clean Water Act has been responsible for remarkable advances in curbing further pollution of our waterways and restoring damaged waterways to health. Of course, there is more to be done to ensure that all Americans have access to safe and healthy water supplies and to protect fragile ecosystems.  I am proud to support the Clean Water Restoration Act, which strengthens the Clean Water Act after a Supreme Court decision undermined critical environmental protections of the law. I believe we must continue in the spirit of the Clean Water Act to limit pollution, including greenhouse gas pollution, for there is no greater gift we can give to our children than a healthy planet.”

October 3, 2007

As a Senate subcommittee drafts cap-and-trade legislation to address the climate change crisis, a group of their Senate colleagues from outside of the Environment and Public Works Committee are urging that the legislation include a number of provisions to help ensure that the goal of significant emissions reductions is achieved (http://menendez.senate.gov/pdf/100207lettertoSenatorsonglobalwarming.pdf). Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), along with Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), John Kerry (D-MA), Russell Feingold (D-WI), Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) have written to Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee that is working on the bill, to outline their hopes for stringent emissions reduction goals and an emphasis on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.

September 25, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) secured $45 million in authorized spending for Connecticut water resource projects within The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 Conference Report, a bill that the Senate passed last night.  The legislation gives the Army Corps of Engineers authority to undertake essential water resource studies and to construct and modify water resource projects that will help Connecticut communities ensure the safety and cleanliness of their water supplies, restore marine habitats, and improve navigation in working harbors.  The conference report was passed by the House of Representatives last month and will now be sent to the President’s desk for his signature. 

July 25, 2007

“Today we are another step closer to ensuring that the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor will be preserved and enjoyed for years to come.  ‘The Last Green Valley,’ as the corridor is often called, is one of the most extraordinary rural landscapes in the Northeast, and I commend my colleagues on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for recognizing its value and approving legislation to extend its designation as a National Heritage Corridor.  I take great pride in supporting efforts to make this region a self-sustaining heritage area, and will continue to work toward passage of this legislation in the full Senate.”

July 20, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) successfully secured more than $30 million for critical transportation, urban development, and environmental needs in Connecticut. The funding, which was included in the Senate's Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Energy and Water bills, was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.  The Senators also secured funding for the Women’s Business Development Center in Stamford, CT as part of the Financial Services appropriations bill.

July 12, 2007

Chairman Akaka and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of S.1182, the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Amendments Act of 2007. I would like first to acknowledge the absence of Senator Thomas; this is the first hearing of the Subcommittee since his passing. Today we remember his dedication and service to Wyoming and the country, not least in his capacity here on the Subcommittee.

July 11, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) applauded legislation approved on June 28 by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies that will provide funding for afterschool and gang prevention programs for Connecticut youth, equipment upgrades for Connecticut’s public safety systems, and research initiatives at the Institute of Exploration in Mystic, CT, among other things.  Dodd and Lieberman worked to secure funding for Connecticut projects in the bill that will provide more than $4.5 million in new federal funds for initiatives statewide.