In the face of tight state finances, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is about to unveil financial incentives for electric vehicle purchases and leases using money from outside the state budget. Malloy will announce that $1 million from the Northeast Utilities/NSTAR merger settlement fund will be used to help jump-start a sluggish EV market in Connecticut.
Climate Change
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Flood insurance hikes arriving at a waterfront near you
Just over a year after shoreline politicians along with a panicked real estate industry and homeowners fought successfully to roll back scheduled dramatic increases in National Flood Insurance Program rates, most of them are back in only slightly modified form. As policies renew, shoreline homeowners are likely to face a new round of sticker shock, their penalty for living in flood zones.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Connecticut oil dealers battle cold, snow, prices and policy
A cold winter and low oil prices help a little as Connecticut oil dealers fight to remain relevant in the face of state policy that encourages people to switch from oil to gas heat.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Connecticut’s summer air some of the worst on East Coast
As the EPA readies new air pollution standards, Connecticut not only doesn’t meet the old ones, it has some of the worst air in the country — and it’s been getting worse.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
A decade brings dramatic change to Connecticut wildlife
As Connecticut undertakes the 10-year update to its Wildlife Action Plan, it faces challenges not even imagined a decade ago — most notably, the dramatic effects of climate change.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Electric vehicle use creeps along; proponents urge a bigger push
With only 1,300 plug-in electric vehicles in the state, there’s growing sentiment that Connecticut hasn’t done enough to encourage their purchase, and that added incentives are needed to get more of them on the road.
Posted inPolitics
In 5th debate, Foley takes the 5th on climate change
Republican Tom Foley refused to say Thursday night during a gubernatorial debate with Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and petitioning candidate Joe Visconti if he believes mankind contributed to climate change or whether state policy could affect the phenomenon.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Stamford joins pioneering energy-saving program
Stamford has become the sixth city in the nation and the first in New England to join a national program called the 2030 Districts. It’s designed to reduce urban greenhouse gas emissions without relying on government. It’s entirely voluntary and there are no penalties if goals aren’t met.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Energy stance: Malloy embraces activism, Foley the market
Gov. Dan Malloy takes his mantra of “cheaper, cleaner, more reliable” energy to the voters, while his Republican challenger, Tom Foley, emphasizes relying on market forces and evolving technology to bring down energy costs.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: March Sunday because healthy communities need climate action
As nurses, we care for our communities. We are there for the boy with the broken arm, the lady from the bank with heart problems, or the retiree with the flu. We are there when our friends and neighbors are hurting, and we do our best to get them better. We are there to help […]
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Op-Ed: March Sunday because healthy communities need climate action
As nurses, we care for our communities. We are there for the boy with the broken arm, the lady from the bank with heart problems, or the retiree with the flu. We are there when our friends and neighbors are hurting, and we do our best to get them better. We are there to help […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Connecticut shoreline Sandy grants raise questions
NEW HAVEN – Nearly two years after storm Sandy sacked the Connecticut coast, federal funds for recovery are still being parceled out. But issues surrounding a couple of Connecticut shoreline grants raise questions about how the money is being allocated and whether it ever will be used.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Obama climate change policy sparks little controversy in CT
WASHINGTON – While lawmakers from coal-producing states – especially vulnerable Democrats – are wringing their hands over President Obama’s decision to force a decrease in greenhouse gases produced by the nation’s power plants, Connecticut lawmakers are shrugging off the proposal or voicing support.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
For Alex Felson, opportunity knocks on Connecticut coast
Alex Felson, a landscape architect and urban ecologist at Yale, has found an opportunity to address climate and community issues on the battered, flooded and otherwise jeopardized Connecticut shoreline.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Climate change and us: What you need to know
The Northeast is already suffering pronounced effects from climate change according the National Climate Assessment. And it faces daunting challenges to keep those effects from getting worse.