HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A day-long public hearing re-energized the conversation surrounding the future of electric vehicles in Connecticut and the governor’s proposal on emissions.

Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) previously announced a plan to adopt California’s low-emission vehicle and advanced clean air regulation. State leaders previously announced that, by 2035, 100% of new passenger vehicles sold in Connecticut would be fully electric.

“I think it’s a very bad idea, and I’m vehemently against it,” Steve Dunn said during the hearing. “It’s not better for our health.

One by one, more than 230 people from the state testified before the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

“Let me start out by saying Connecticut has the worst air quality in the region, and tailpipe pollution makes up for 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lori Brown, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters’ executive director.

“We’re not California,” Joe Licari testified before DEEP. “We shouldn’t be following California. People are moving out of the state by the hundreds of thousands. People are upset with all the rules and regulations there.”

State leaders said the plan aims to have cleaner air and less pollution.

“Air pollution a serious public threat,” Susan Eastwood of Ashford said.

“Climate change is here and threatening health today,” Ruth Canovi with the American Lung Association of Connecticut said. “The transportation sector in Connecticut contributes to a significant share of these pollutants.”

A group of Republican state lawmakers doesn’t agree with the governor’s plan, saying electric vehicles cost too much and the regulations “half-baked.

Some say Connecticut doesn’t have the infrastructure to charge these new electric vehicles.

“I think we’re shorting ourselves in the state if we’re allowing California to set policies here in the state of Connecticut,” John Blair said. “Whether it’s in the regulations review process or the legislative process. I think we should be making decisions on our own.”

Adam Joseph, Lamont’s director of communications, released a statement Tuesday: “State law requires DEEP implement California’s low emission program for passenger vehicles. In 2004, that bipartisan act passed the Senate unanimously and the House 143-1. We are in the midst of a climate emergency and are living the effects of climate change.”

The deadline for written comments to be submitted at deep.mobilesources@ct.gov is Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m. Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly is requesting an extension.

“In the interests of transparency and fairness, the administration must extend the deadline for the public to submit comments about these half-baked, costly regulations which have not been well thought-out or deliberated in public,” Kelly said.