Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy is among a group of Democratic senators unveiling a climate change task force on Tuesday. Its goal, he said, is to combat what he called “Republican intransigence” on issues related to climate change.
Energy and Environment
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Renewable and clean energy surges in Connecticut
Bridgeport — There’s little to suggest that the five large, white-painted steel boxes and a collection of pipes near the railroad tracks was one of the most astonishing developments in clean energy in Connecticut in 2013. The only hint are these words lettered on each box: FuelCell Energy –- Ultra-clean, Efficient, Reliable Power.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Wind power blocked again in CT — political charges fly
For the fourth time in a little less than a year, a legislative committee has declined to approve regulations for wind turbines in Connecticut, leaving in place a moratorium on wind power projects that has been in effect for more than two years. It reaffirms Connecticut as the only state in the region, and possibly in the nation, that specifically does not permit wind projects.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
New CT customers to pick up most of tab for natural gas conversions
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Friday signed off on the final version of a plan to convert 280,000 homes and businesses to natural gas heat from oil and other fuels over the next 10 years. The gas conversion plan is the cornerstone of the state’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy unveiled just over a year ago and officially approved by the legislature in the last session.
Posted inMoney
State’s energy efficiency plan comes with higher customer fees
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s release of the state’s first long-term energy efficiency strategy is receiving widespread praise from environmental groups. And that’s even with proposed increases to ratepayer fees to fund it.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Canadian fires cause close call for New England power supply
It now appears that the unprecedented forest fires that scorched Canada beginning in June came perilously close to having a devastating impact on the Northeast U.S. power grid. In the last week, officials at the independent system operator that runs the New England grid have revealed that on July 3, four transmission lines from Hydro-Quebec shut down because of raging fires near James Bay in northern Quebec.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Funding hampers sewage treatment upgrades post-Sandy
The Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement earlier this month that it was awarding $569 million for improvements to wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities damaged by Hurricane Sandy should have been great news here in Connecticut.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Gun sales prevent some environmental sequester cuts at DEEP
A funny thing happened when the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection crunched sequester numbers to figure out how badly the nearly one-third of its operating budget that comes from federal funds would get hit.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Widespread dissatisfaction with energy bill process and changes to renewable power
Plans to rush major energy legislation through the General Assembly as soon as Wednesday are raising cries of foul from dozens of normally unaligned groups. Their concerns are prompted in part by timing: It’s two months before the draft report most of the legislation is based on finishes its required public review.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
It’s official – McCarthy nominated to run EPA
It’s official. As has been widely reported (including here) for weeks, President Obama is nominating Connecticut’s former top environmental official – Gina McCarthy – to run the Environmental Protection Agency.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money
CEQ barely hangs on in governor’s budget
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget leaves the Council on Environmental Quality, the state’s environmental watchdog, hanging on by its fingernails.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Last-day legislative drama centers on Haddam land swap
With no major legislation remaining, the General Assembly was free today to mull and eventually approve the contentious Haddam land swap, one of the intensely personal issues, favors and grievances that add drama to the frenetic last day of every annual session. Bills are held to the last day for myriad reasons, often having nothing […]