Gov. Ned Lamont wants a strategy for adapting to climate change, but activists say there are things that could be done now — if the money is there.
DEEP
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Shared solar program heading towards approval, complaints in tow
After more than five years of arguing, final program rules for a shared solar program in Connecticut are ready for approval. And just about everyone is still arguing.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT, NY in court battle over dumping in Long Island Sound
A federal court will decide whether Connecticut can dump sediment in the eastern part of Long Island Sound, a benefit to Electric Boat and Groton’s sub base.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Environmental measures win quiet, but major, victories
Even with the budget and issues like highway tolls getting most of the legislative attention, environmental wins were big, meaningful and without drama – for a change.
Posted inEconomic Development, Energy & Environment
Katie Dykes takes helm at DEEP in era of escalating climate change
Katie Dykes’ new job as DEEP commissioner brings old and new challenges, such as the growing threat of climate change.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
A strong bipartisan vote for wind power in Connecticut
Proponents say the bill would create a renewable-energy source that could one day match the output of the aging Millstone nuclear power.station.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Climate change versus Tweed Airport
Tweed Airport in New Haven is built on salt marsh and has flooded for years, but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from considering a bill to expand and lengthen its runways.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Plastic bag ban proposals now include new wrinkle: taxes
Gov. Lamont has zeroed in on the elimination of plastic grocery bags as a possible revenue source. But the 19 other pieces of legislation that also seek their banishment are focused on the environmental benefits.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Solar policy fight is picking up where it left off
The solar compensation policy that nearly derailed major energy legislation last session is back for a new go-round this session.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Nuclear wins big in clean energy competition – and not just Millstone
The final clean energy competition of the Malloy administration on Friday handed the Millstone Nuclear Power Station the lifeline it has sought for nearly two years claiming the plant was at risk of closing otherwise. In a blow to the environmental advocacy community, renewable power projects were awarded fewer than 20 percent of the total power production up for bid.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
PURA chair Katie Dykes named DEEP commissioner
In naming Katie Dykes as commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Gov.-elect Ned Lamont has chosen a person who is well known at DEEP. But she comes with much more of an energy than strict environmental background.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Connecticut’s vanishing shoreline: One storm away from disaster
Connecticut is fortunate it hasn’t been hit by a tropical-style storm since the successive storms of Irene and Sandy in 2011 and 2012 swamped the coastline, illuminating its vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change. That’s because there’s a general consensus that if either of those storms were to hit now, they would be just as damaging.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Energy bill heads for committee showdown, uncertain future
With the Energy and Technology Committee’s approval deadline for bills this session on Thursday, committee leaders, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the governor’s office and environmental advocates are racing the clock on one of the most consequential energy bills in years. Solar policy could stop them — again.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Solar is again the flashpoint in CT’s new energy strategy
The final version of Connecticut’s new energy strategy and the bills that would implement it are before the legislature. So is a controversy that has dogged the plan since it was first released – solar policy.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
DEEP wants sneak environmental permit rule reversed
Slid into last year’s budget during final negotiations was a provision that limits the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to 90 days to either approve or deny a laundry list of nearly four-dozen permits. If DEEP doesn’t take action, the permit automatically goes into effect. DEEP calls the sneak change “awful public policy,” and the fight is on.