The state's Environment Committee held a public hearing Monday over a bill aimed at reducing vehicle emissions that could end up costing you at the pump.

Proponents of the new program say it would cut emissions across the state and help local municipalities fight the negative effects of climate change. But state Republicans are concerned that their constituents could see the cost.

The Transportation Climate Initiative would put a cap on how much greenhouse gas-emitting fuels local distributors can sell. The right to produce more pollution would need to be bought at auction.

Opponents say the costs of the program are sure to be passed onto local gas stations. DEEP expects an increase at the pump of about 5 cents when the program goes into effect in 2023.

Connecticut already has a similar program for the power sector, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI. DEEP estimates the new program will make $1 billion for EVs and charging stations by 2032.

In December, Gov. Ned Lamont signed an agreement with the governors of Massachusetts and Rhode Island to try and implement the Transportation Climate Initiative in all three states.

Officials say 35% of the program's revenue would be set aside for cities, like Bridgeport and New Haven, that have been especially impacted by the transportation industry.