As hinted during recent weeks, Gov.Ned Lamont on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have allowed local votes in towns with populations under 16,000 to possibly overturn decisions made by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “However, it’s important to note that today’s permitting process offers extensive opportunity for public engagement. I am concerned that the mechanism proposed in this bill-allowing a local referendum to reverse certain permit approvals or denials issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection could have unintended consequences that weaken critical protections for environmental justice communities and create harmful uncertainty for our business community that could hamper investment in Connecticut,” Lamont wrote. Lamont, in his veto message, said that there are plenty of opportunities for residents to voice their opinions on DEEP-related issues, but he would agree to increase opportunities for public engagement. To override a veto, the House and Senate would need to muster two-thirds votes in each chamber. With that kind of Democratic opposition, it’s unlikely to get called in an upcoming veto session. Democrats have a 102-49 majority in the House and a 25-11 margin in the Senate. Lamont has vetoed three bills from the recent legislative session and signed 198 into law.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/gov-ned-lamont-vetoes-bill-that-would-give-ct-towns-the-right-to-overturn-environmental-rulings/ar-AA1IdwLA?ocid=BingNewsVerp&cvid=541e82e6d5e448b983f3391e19d26e6f&ei=19