Connecticut Update: BPA Wins, Solar Power A Draw

New England Currents|Online, Summer 2009 - Update

BPA Banned In Connecticut

Rally to ban BPA outside Connecticut State Legislative offices

State Legislators, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and other supporters rally outside the Legislative Office Building in support of the Bisphenol-A legislation.

Thanks to the commitment of our members, Connecticut Clean Water Action is celebrating a banner year marked by recent legislative victories that will reduce toxins in consumer products.

Clean Water Action and allies in the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut overcame intense opposition from chemical companies, the infant formula industry, and grocery manufacturers to win a groundbreaking new law that will phase out the hormone disrupting chemical Bisphenol-A from infant formula and baby food cans, as well as the full range of reusable food and beverage containers.

Governor M. Jodi Rell signed Public Act 09-103 into law, which will take effect on October 1, 2011. Connecticut's new law sets a high bar for Congress and adds momentum to the federal campaign to pass similar legislation that protects everyone. Read the press release about the act.

Solar Power Update

Clean Water Action also made significant progress in supporting an expanded solar power industry in Connecticut. While solar legislation passed unanimously in the state house, the state senate failed to call it for a vote. Members wrote letters and made calls to state legislature that have so far helped protect the ratepayer-funded Clean Energy Fund and Energy Efficiency Fund from a raid by the governor. Read the press release.

Publication Date:

09/10/2009

In this issue of New England Currents|online:

Massachusetts Health Officials Issue Bisphenol-A (BPA) Warning

If you were at the beach or on vacation mid-summer, you may have missed this announcement but...after months of determined prodding from Clean Water Action and the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a consumer warning on bisphenol-A (BPA) in August. Why is this important? BPA is a toxic chemical that leaches from polycarbonate plastics and the linings of food and beverage cans such as baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula, and canned sodas and soups. It mimics the hormone estrogen and disrupts the body's endocrine system, leading to potential health damage including breast cancer, obesity, diabetes, and early onset of puberty, among others. And BPA has been found in the bodies of 93% of Americans tested.

Connecticut Update: BPA Wins, Solar Power A Draw

While solar legislation passed unanimously in the state house, the state senate failed to call it for a vote. Members wrote letters and made calls to state legislature that have so far helped protect the ratepayer-funded Clean Energy Fund and Energy Efficiency Fund from a raid by the governor.

Providence's Double-Diesel Victory

Providence may be the second largest city in New England, but it can trade asthma and pollution stories with the best of the major cities. Rhode Island has the 5th highest child asthma rate in the country, and metropolitan Providence is ranked in the worst 6% of all U.S. counties for cancer risks posed by diesel pollution. Diesel is a menacing public health threat and a potential lynchpin in the fight against global warming. Black carbon soot is now considered the second largest source of global warming pollution after carbon dioxide. It is 2,000 more potent as a global warming agent than an equal volume of CO2.

Cue Providence: this summer will surely be remembered, not least by Clean Water Action members, for precedent-setting local government action and a highly practical approach to diesel pollution reduction measures in the capitol city.

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