Gov. Ned Lamont said state support is necessary to help Connecticut dairy farmers cope with rising costs and falling commodity prices.
John Moritz
John covers energy and the environment for CT Mirror, a beat that has taken him from wind farms off the coast of Block Island to foraging for mushrooms in the Litchfield Hills and many places in between. Prior to joining CT Mirror, he was a statewide reporter for the Hearst Connecticut Media Group and before that, he covered politics for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock. A native of Norwalk, John earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Temple University.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT tire recycling effort faces ‘disappointing’ setback
A bill failed to gain passage that would have required retailers—who handle disposal for most used tires—to participate in the program.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
As sun sets, CT solar bill sees light in Senate
Lawmakers reauthorized the state’s rooftop solar incentives until 2035, setting a target budget of $85 million a year for the programs.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Lawmakers give final OK to new PURA board
Legislative approval was the final step in a months-long, near-total makeover of PURA following the resignation of former Chair Marissa Gillett.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
UI sues to overturn ruling opposing Fairfield-Bridgeport transmission line
The lawsuit alleges that political pressure influenced the Siting Council’s decision last year to oppose the project.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
What is the duck curve and how does it impact your electric bill?
ISO reports New England is on pace for a record number of ‘duck curve’ days, driven by the performance of smaller, rooftop solar systems.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
House OKs solar bill; GOP targets impact on public benefits charge
H.B. 5340 imposes a ‘budget target’ on solar incentives and addresses plug-in solar panels and the proliferation of large solar arrays.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT lawmakers drop effort to ban Styrofoam takeout containers — again
House Democrats aren’t moving ahead with HB 5524, which would have implemented a ban on food service products containing polystyrene.
Posted inTransportation
CT House passes transportation bill relaxing clean bus mandates
Officials say the measures, allowing the state to purchase diesel buses, come in response to changing environmental policy under Trump.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT Senate votes to keep Torrington transfer station out of private hands
SB 521 would hand control of the facility to the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority, an arm of the local council of governments.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
With costs a top concern, future of CT solar programs falls to lawmakers
Solar companies, clean energy advocates want programs to continue. But utilities, some ratepayers say program costs must be kept in check.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT public benefits charge cut; electricity rates to fall by nearly 15%
The changes will result in about $30 off the average Eversource monthly bill and about $34 off United Illuminating monthly bills, PURA said.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Ban on releasing balloons passes CT Senate
Senate Bill 452 would ban the intentional release of balloons and require CT retailers to attach weights to balloons sold.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Lamont meets with Brookfield first selectman about Iroquois project
Steve Dunn, a Democrat, is part of a group of local officials campaigning against a project to expand the Iroquois pipeline’s daily capacity.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
House passes bill to shore up CT tire disposal program
The bill would require retail stores, where the majority of used tires are dropped off, to participate in the program. They have pushed back.