(Hartford, Conn. WTIC)-The President of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, Chris Herb, says the Regional Climate Initiative signed by the Governor means we'll be paying more at the pump.
Herb says a recent study by Tufts University predicts a 61-cent a galllon increase.
"It''ll start small and increase, discouraging you to drive..you'll be punished severely for driving your car. The state and federal excise taxes are fixed, so this is another layer of a tax in at the wholesale level. So when the petroleum tax is calculated, it'll be figured at a higher rate because it is pushing the wholesale tax up. So this is a little extra kick when you fill up."
The initiative is intended to reduce greenhouse emissions and build out infrastructure.
Governor Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes insist the initiative will not translate into higher gas taxes.
