NEW BRITAIN, CONN. (WTIC Radio)-Three energy provider associations used a gas station setting for a press conference warning about legislative approval of a measure they say will increase taxes on fuel and other energy sources.
Connecticut Energy Marketers Association President and CEO Chris Herb said, "The legislature is advancing a measure that imposes a fourth tax on gasoline, a new tax on diesel fuel, a first on heating oil and other taxes impacting Connecticut families from heating their homes to driving their kids to school."
New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association Executive Director Peter Brennan said Connecticut residents are already paying three separate gasoline taxes. "This would increase transportation costs. This is a regressive policy not affecting the rich but those who can barely put food on the table, drive their kids to practice or drive themselves to work."
John Blair runs the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut. He said his five hundred members are already paying the highway use tax that went into effect in January. "This will have a direct impact on the industry, affecting gas and diesel costs.
The Energy Marketers Association argues Senate Bill 1145 also allows Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes "to create new taxes on Connecticut residents who would have no recourse to fight it."
DEEP says the measure is necessary to meet greenhouse gas emission standards established by the legislature. Further the agency said the measure establishes tools needed to mitigate impacts from the climate crisis and it improves affordability, competitiveness and health outcomes for Connecticut households.