How Will Sea Level Rise Affect Connecticut’s Economy?

NEW HAVEN — Over the next several decades, Connecticut’s shoreline is expected to experience a dramatic rise in sea level, threatening its most valuable real estate and economic centers. A panel program presented by the Urban Land Institute January 25 will address the issue of sea level rise adaptation as it relates to real estate development, risk management, and capital investments.

Attendees will hear from speakers and panelists from business, government, and academia who will discuss the anticipated effects of sea level rise on the shoreline, as well as potential adaptation strategies at the state, local, and individual level.

The event will be held at The General Motors Room at Horchow Hall, 55 Hillhouse Avenue, and online registration deadline is January 23.

Speakers will include:

*George Bradner, the Connecticut Insurance Department’s Property & Casualty director. He oversees a division that regulates the rates and forms of more than 500 companies licensed to write property and casualty insurance in Connecticut.

Mr Bradner also works closely with Commissioner Thomas B. Leonardi to coordinate and lead the department’s preparation, response, and recovery operations during disasters.

*Michael J. Murphy, AICP, director of the Office of Planning and Development Services for the Town of Groton. Mr Murphy is responsible for the overall direction and administration of the town’s planning and development program.

His responsibilities include oversight of land use and environmental planning, code enforcement and permitting, community development, housing rehabilitation, economic development, special project design and construction, and an increasing role in community sustainability activities such as energy efficiency and climate adaptation policy.

*James E. Neumann, who specializes in the economics of climate change and air pollution regulation. He is coeditor, with Robert Mendelsohn, of The Impact of Climate Change on the United States Economy — an integrated analysis of economic welfare impacts in the agriculture, water resources, coastal structures, forestry, commercial and residential energy use, recreation, and commercial fishing sectors.

*Jennifer Pagach, from the Office of Long Island Sound Programs at the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

She is currently the lead on climate education, outreach and adaptation in the Office of Long Island Sound Programs at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the state lead for sentinel monitoring for climate change in Long Island Sound, and oversees many other climate change grants and projects including work with coastal municipalities.

Moderator John D. Plante is a senior associate and vice president of Langan, one of the nation’s premier land development engineering design firms. He is a civil engineer of more than 25 years and manages Langan’s New Haven office.

The session is sponsored by Connecticut Steering Committee of Urban Land Institute of Boston. Contact the Connecticut Steering Committee at alemar@wiggin.com for more information.