Stories like that of Suffield’s Keila Silva show how even high school student projects have gotten caught up in federal cuts.
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
Proposed amendment would seal right to clean air, water in CT Constitution
Frustrated by setbacks to codify tougher environmental regulations, advocates and lawmakers are hoping to find success with a new approach.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT lawmakers revive debate over banning single-use plastics, polystyrene
It’s the latest in a string of similar proposals that have elicited mixed reactions from the public and drawn opposition from the restaurant industry.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Judge upholds PURA decision to deny UI request for rate increase
United Illuminating claimed PURA acted unfairly in denying much of its 2023 request for an increase in CT customers’ electric utility rates.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Committee OKs former lawmaker, UI exec to serve on PURA board
David Arconti, a Democrat who represented Danbury in the state House of Representatives, has been an interim commissioner since August.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
After D.C. meeting, Lamont sees path to working with Trump on energy
Following meetings in Washington, Lamont says he found an area of alignment with Trump: more nuclear and natural gas energy in New England.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT Supreme Court hears arguments in Aquarion rate case
The case challenges PURA’s efforts to impose a new method for scrutinizing which costs the regulated monopolies can recoup from customers.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Senator seeking PURA nomination owns business probed by PURA
A company owned by state Sen. John Fonfara was probed by PURA last year to determine whether it needed a license to operate.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Lamont: Lawmaker’s conflicts before PURA pose a ‘problem’ for nomination
Lamont announced plans appoint John Fonfara to PURA as part of deal to reappoint chairwoman Marissa Gillett. Reports have revealed a conflict.
Posted inTransportation
CT advocates call for more rail funding, service to Litchfield County
Lawmakers are considering bills that could lead to increased service on Shore Line East and Metro-North’s New Haven Line railroads.
Posted inTransportation
CT rail lines see steady, but uneven, rebounds in annual ridership
Connecticut’s commuter rail rebound continued last year, but while the Hartford Line had more passengers in 2024 than before the pandemic, Shore Line East struggled.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT lawmakers weigh bans on pesticides, rodenticides, other chemicals
Several bills have been filed dealing with herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals that affect animals and, in some cases, humans.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Legislative committee approves top utilities regulator for second term
Following a lengthy hearing Thursday, CT lawmakers voted on party lines to approve Gillett, top utilities regulator, for second term on PURA.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Lamont reaches deal to keep PURA Chair Gillett
Agreement would confirm Marissa Gillett’s reappointment as chair of PURA while moving the regulatory body outside of the executive branch.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Advocates rally for PURA Chair Gillett, accuse utilities of ‘smear campaign’
Rallygoers claimed Gillett’s tenacious approach to dealing with Eversource and UI has resulted in a campaign to sink her PURA reappointment.