Connecticut

Opinion: Report says rolling blackouts could hit CT

Published

2 years ago

December 9, 2024

Opinion: Report says rolling blackouts could hit CT

In May 2022, Gov. Ned Lamont signed a law committing Connecticut to be 100 percent carbon-free by 2040, building on an executive order he signed in 2019. This ambitious goal includes benchmarks such as a 45 percent reduction in emissions from 2001 levels by 2030. At the same time, Connecticut has imposed an energy storage mandate of 1,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030 and is exploring an offshore wind venture with Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

While the environmental goals driving these policies are worth considering, a new joint report, The Staggering Costs of New England’s Green Energy Policies, raises serious concerns about their impact on Connecticut’s economy and residents’ quality of life.

The report, compiled by Always on Energy Research (AOER) in collaboration with Yankee Institute and other leading public policy organizations across New England, clearly demonstrates the costs and challenges associated with the region’s decarbonization plans. According to the findings, Connecticut’s electricity rates could double under the current trajectory. What’s more, the region could face rolling blackouts as the push for “green” energy like wind and solar fails to meet growing electricity demands.

Compliance with the New England Decarbonization Plans — efforts to achieve net-zero — would cost $815 billion through 2050. Meanwhile, Connecticut families would see their electric bills increase by an average of nearly $99 per year; costs for commercial businesses would increase by $489 per year; and the electric bills for industrial (manufacturing) customers would skyrocket by an average of almost $5,280 per year.

The report also finds that a shift to green energy as the region’s primary energy source is not entirely feasible for the electrical grid of ISO-New England — an independent, not-for-profit corporation responsible for keeping electricity flowing across the six New England states. ISO- NE simply may not be able to power the region within 11 years, so should New England states stay on the same “renewable-intensive path, a blackout scenario could be dire indeed.”

Certainly, a clean environment is an important and worthy goal, but New England is responsible for less than 0.4% of global emissions. Indeed, if Connecticut and the rest of New England are to supply homes and businesses with constant electricity during a year in which wind and sunshine are plentiful, 225 gigawatts (GW) of renewables would be required — more than 12,000 wind turbines and 129 million solar panels. But in a cloudier year with less wind, even 225 GW wouldn’t be enough — and blackouts should be expected.

Beyond the financial burden, the risks posed by an unreliable energy grid are dire. In New England, 87% of households rely on electricity for heat during the cold winter months, whether from natural gas, heating oil, or heat pumps. For vulnerable populations — the elderly, the sick, or those relying on medical devices like dialysis machines — power outages aren’t just inconvenient; they’re life-threatening. A more unreliable grid means more fatalities, especially in the harsh winter months.

Despite these grave concerns, some Connecticut policymakers are once again considering policies that could accelerate the move toward green energy, potentially enacting a “Green Monster” or a “Green Amendment” that would only deepen these challenges.

It’s time for Connecticut to hit pause and rethink this trajectory. We need a sensible energy policy that balances the need for environmental stewardship with economic growth and energy reliability. The policies being considered today threaten not just our wallets, but also our safety and the well-being of our most vulnerable residents.

Connecticut should not move forward with untested, costly, and risky energy policies that leave residents in the dark — both figuratively and literally. It’s time for a smarter, more balanced approach to energy that ensures the health of our environment without compromising the health and financial security of our residents and businesses.

Andrew Fowler is the Communications Specialist for Yankee Institute; Bryce Chinault is the Director of External Affairs for Yankee Institute.

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Connecticut

‘It’s a neighborhood effort’: Improvements made to Quinnipiac River Park

Published

9 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

‘It’s a neighborhood effort’: Improvements made to Quinnipiac River Park

Neighbors who live in the Elm City’s Fair Haven neighborhood might notice a change of scenery at Quinnipiac River Park.

With city planning and a $250,000 state grant, the walkways were paved, water fountains were installed, and the riverbank was improved to prevent erosion.

It’s come a long way since the area was an industrial site in the 1960s.

“Decades and decades ago, this was a junkyard and it’s just shocking to see what is here now, this beautiful site,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said.

The area eventually became a park that saw a massive cleanup a few years ago. What was once a dump is now frequented by visitors young and old, on wheels and on four legs.

“I’d be the only guy running laps around ad now morning, night, afternoon, there’s people running, there’s people having picnics,” neighbor Eric Murray said.

Elicker said a nicer park with lighting and clean, open space can make visitors feel safe.

“People are less likely to engage in crime if they think that there’s a lot of people to witness and they could get caught,” he said.

The work isn’t done yet. Future plans include picnic tables, a new patio area and welcome gardens. The walkways will become a part of a trail that goes around Fair Haven, according to the mayor.

That requires more funding and the continued work of neighbors who have been keeping the park clean.

The Friends of Quinnipiac River Park take pride in maintaining the beauty here by planting flowers and trees, taking care of them in every season.

“I love planting, especially for the neighborhood,” Sadi Vidro, a member of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park. “I saw the, the outcome of it and that’s what keeps me going.”

Some trees are decorated with a cross and a message that might stop you on your walk. One tree is planted in memory of Michael Caliz.

“Our friend Rita, this is a tree she planted in memory of her son and Rita comes back faithfully every year,” Tom Burwell, the founder of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park, said. “She’s definitely has taken ownership in the tree and she’s become a staple. She’s been like a mom to us in the group as well.”

Phase one of the project is complete. Concept plans for phase 2 focus on the northern end of the park.

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Connecticut

Several beaches closed to swimming due to potential bacteria in the water

Published

19 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Several beaches closed to swimming due to potential bacteria in the water

Several Connecticut swimming areas are closed due to the potential of bacteria in the water.

The heavy rain over the past few days is the reason for the concern.

Swimming is prohibited at the West Beach at Rocky Neck State Park, Sherwood Island State Park, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, and Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth.

Water testing at those state parks will be redone on Wednesday with results back on Thursday.

Clinton has also suspended swimming and other water activities at its town beach until further notice. The beach remains open and all other amenities are available, according to the town.

There is no swimming allowed at all Stratford beaches until Friday, according to the Stratford Health Department.

The East Shore Health Department says beaches in East Haven, as well as Clark/Johnson Beach, Stony Creek, and Branford Point in Branford are also closed to swimming. Water samples are being taken on Wednesday and the results are expected on Thursday.

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Connecticut

Opinion: A lifeline in CT’s childcare desert

Published

1 day ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Opinion: A lifeline in CT’s childcare desert

by Michelle Gagliardi, CT Mirror
July 8, 2026

As Connecticut grapples with a persistent childcare crisis, parents are facing a perfect storm: years-long waitlists, skyrocketing tuition at corporate centers, and the grueling logistics of balancing a 9-to-5 with a rigid pickup schedule.

But while the public debate often centers on expanding massive commercial childcare centers, a quiet, deeply rooted alternative is keeping Connecticut’s working families afloat. It is called family childcare —licensed, professional early childhood care operated out of a provider’s home.

Far from a fallback plan, family childcare is increasingly the gold standard for parents seeking a blend of high-quality early education, financial sanity, and emotional peace of mind. For families navigating the Nutmeg State’s early childhood landscape, here is why choosing a home-based provider is a powerful, beneficial choice.

A true “home away from home” environment

For infants and young toddlers, the transition from a parent’s arms to a bustling commercial facility can be jarring. Large centers often feature bright fluorescent lights, high-density classrooms, and a rotating cast of staff members.

Family childcare offers the exact opposite: a cozy, familiar home environment. Children learn, play, and nap in spaces that feel like an extension of their own living rooms. This familiar setting significantly lowers stress levels for young children, helping them feel secure enough to explore, socialise, and learn.

Consistency of care (no staff turnover)

One of the most disruptive aspects of modern commercial childcare is staff turnover. Because of industry-wide low wages, center teachers frequently move on, meaning a child might have three or four different primary caregivers in a single year.

In a family childcare setting, the business owner is the teacher. Your child builds a deep, secure attachment to one consistent educator from infancy until they drop their backpacks off for kindergarten. This continuity of care is crucial for healthy emotional and neurological development in a child’s first 1,000 days.

Mixed-age groupings mirror real life

Unlike traditional centers that rigidly separate children by age into 12-month increments, family childcare homes naturally feature mixed-age groups. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers interact throughout the day.

This model offers profound developmental benefits:

For younger children: They learn language, social skills, and behavioral cues rapidly by watching and mimicking older peers.
For older children: They develop empathy, patience, and leadership skills by helping and looking out for the littler ones.
For siblings: Brothers and sisters can stay together in the same program, rather than being split up into different wings of a building.

Unmatched flexibility for working class families

Connecticut’s economy doesn’t just run on a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Shift workers, healthcare professionals, first responders, and service industry employees are routinely left behind by corporate childcare centers that charge massive penalties if a parent is five minutes past a 5:30 p.m. closing time.

Home-based providers understand the realities of working families. Because they operate independently, many offer more flexible drop-off and pick-up windows, and some accommodate non-traditional hours or part-time schedules that commercial centers reject.

Financial sanity in a high-cost state

Let’s talk numbers. Connecticut routinely ranks among the top ten most expensive states for childcare in the nation, with center-based infant care averaging well over $18,000 a year.

Family childcare providers offer a much-needed financial breathing room. Because their overhead costs are lower —utilizing their own homes rather than renting commercial real estate— they are able to pass those savings on to parents. On average, family childcare in Connecticut costs 20% to 35% less than center-based care, without sacrificing licensing rigor, safety standards, or educational quality.

The state standard: Licensed family childcare providers in Connecticut are strictly regulated by the Office of Early Childhood (OEC). They undergo background checks, regular home safety inspections, and must meet the exact same core health, safety, and CPR training requirements as large-scale centers.

Elevating the profession

For too long, outdated stereotypes dismissed home-based providers as “babysitters.” Today’s family childcare providers are micro-entrepreneurs, early childhood experts, and community anchors. Many hold degrees in early education, participate in Connecticut’s Sparkler developmental screening initiative, and build robust, play-based curriculums tailored to individual children rather than a corporate mandate.

As state lawmakers debate how to build a more resilient care infrastructure, they must recognize that family childcare isn’t just an alternative —it is a cornerstone of the system. For Connecticut parents seeking community, affordability, and a nurturing environment where their child is truly known, the best choice might just be right down the street.

Michelle Gagliardi is leader of the CT Family Child Care Coalition.

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