You can listen to part of the Legislative Insights panel moderated by John Dankosky on WNPR  or you can read more on the Summit in the Hartford Courant! 

Be sure to also check out the CT Post's coverage of our Environmental Priorities. Click here!

Or if you missed the event, you can watch the whole thing on CT-N.

CTLCV hosted its 12th Annual Environmental Summit in downtown Hartford earlier this week with over 200 people in attendance.  The overarching message that our state can still have environmental excellence in a time of economic constraint was reinforced throughout the day. We have long understood that there is no "either/or" choice between the economy and the environment, and that public, private and non-profit interests are all stakeholders. 

The Summit featured three riveting panel discussions with our legislative leadership, environmental advocates, and state DOT and DECD Commissioners, who all engaged in passionate debate. The  event ended with a rousing keynote speech and call to action by DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty.

As the 2012 legislative session looms closer, we have the best opportunity in years to keep issues moving forward in a positive direction for all!

2:00     Welcome and Opening Remarks
              Lori Brown, Executive Director, CTLCV
             Tom Swarr, Chair, CTLCV Education Fund
             Wilfredo Nieves, President Capital Community College

2:20     Panel Discussion: Environmental Priorities
             Moderator:
             Julie Belaga, CTLCV Board of Directors
             Panelists:
             Sandy Breslin, Audubon Connecticut
             Jamie Howland, Environment Northeast           
             Macky McCleary, Deputy Commissioner, DEEP
             Roger Reynolds, Connecticut Fund for the Environment
             David Sutherland, The Nature Conservancy 

3:25     Panel Discussion: Transportation, the Environment and the Economy
             Moderator:
             Joe McGee, Business Council of Fairfield County
             Panelists:
             Peter L. Malkin, Malkin Holdings, LLC 
             Susan Merrow, Chair, 1000 Friends of Connecticut
             James P. Redeker, Commissioner, DOT  
             Catherine Smith, Commissioner, DECD  

4:25     Comments from Chair of Environment Committee
             Edward Meyer, Senator and Chair Environment Committee
4:35     Legislative Insights on Environmental Issues for the 2012 Legislative Session
             Moderator:
             John Dankosky, WNPR 
             Panelists: 
             Donald E. Williams, Jr., Senate President Pro Tempore
             John McKinney, Senate Minority Leader
             Christopher G. Donovan, Speaker of the House
5:20     Keynote Environmental Address
             Daniel C. Esty, Commissioner, DEEP
5:45     Closing Remarks Followed by Reception