Gov. Ned Lamont vetoed a measure Tuesday that would have given the town of Plainfield leverage in blocking a proposed trash-to-energy plant.
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
Officials say viral video is pushing ‘inaccurate’ claims about hydrilla spraying in CT
CT officials and advocates say the negative social media posts are misleading and harmful to a project that has taken years of planning.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Lamont doubles down on natural gas after signing two climate-related bills
Immediately after signing the bills, Lamont reiterated his support for a chief cause of concern among climate advocates: fracked natural gas.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Lamont reappoints PURA chair despite criticism over deleted texts
Lamont, who reappointed Gillett, defends her approach. But she’s faced criticism for CT’s high electric costs and for deleted text messages.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
How a trash plant and a ‘rat’ made their way into CT’s budget negotiations
Hartford lost $3.25M to clean up site of former waste-to-energy plant after late budget amendment blocked sale of separate MIRA property to trash hauler.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
PURA chair admits to deleting texts, fueling criticism of top utilities regulator
The messages are being sought by gas utilities in a lawsuit. Gillett said texts on her personal phone were set to delete after 30 days.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT bear attack injures man in North Canaan, rekindling hunt debate
The attack is the latest in a series of encounters in CT that have prompted lawmakers to consider allowing a bear hunt, among other options.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Why the Jones Act’s future is dividing Ned Lamont, Joe Courtney
The century-old maritime law is a rare point of disagreement between allies who have long worked together to support CT’s maritime industry.
Posted inGovernment
Lawmakers OK Sunday hunting, while giving reprieve to bears
CT lawmakers approved Sunday hunting on private land, but a separate bill that would have allowed for a bear hunt didn’t make the cut.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
After years of frustrations, climate advocates give tepid praise to CT lawmakers
Though tepid, this year’s reviews were an improvement over advocates’ criticisms following the demise of similar efforts in past years.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Relief on electric bills passes House, sent to governor
The bill will lower residential electric bills by roughly $100 a year, with small businesses and large consumers of electricity saving more.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Legislation promising modest relief on CT electric bills clears Senate
The bill would also promote grid-enhancing technologies and lower subsidies for solar and other renewable energy, among other measures.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
With time dwindling, lawmakers scramble to reach deal on CT electric bills
Negotiations on a bill meant to give CT ratepayers $250M to $500M in direct savings could be derailed by language addressing the powers of PURA.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Eversource, United Illuminating drop website references to ‘DEI’
Despite quietly scrubbing references to ‘diversity, equity and inclusion,’ the utilities say they remain committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Posted inPolitics
Lawmakers back off plan to regulate movie start times, for now
An infamous CT bill that would have required movie theaters to publish more accurate start times now calls only for a study of the issue.