Connecticut
Opinion: Wind power can help lower CT electricity costs
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and electricity customers across the state have a potential ally in the fight against rising electricity costs: offshore wind power.
By joining forces with Massachusetts and Rhode Island to support offshore wind energy, Connecticut can help reduce electricity bills and protect electricity customers from the natural gas price spikes that drive the state’s high electricity prices.
The governor is understandably concerned about the increasing burden of electricity costs on residents. Connecticut’s high electricity rates are closely tied to natural gas prices, which tend to fluctuate unpredictably. When the price of natural gas spikes, often in the winter, it leads to sharp electricity bill increases on electricity customer bills in the following months. This year, increased payments to the Millstone nuclear plant to keep it online are further adding to the cost of electricity.
Amidst these rising costs, offshore wind presents an opportunity for relief —not an added burden.
Electricity prices in Connecticut, and throughout New England, are set in an hourly wholesale energy market. In this system, the price of electricity is determined by the most expensive power plants operating at any given hour. In New England, natural gas power plants tend to be the most expensive plants providing electricity, so they generally set the electricity price for that hour. And when the cost of natural gas spikes, the cost of Connecticut’s electricity spikes too.
Offshore wind, on the other hand, offers a much different dynamic. With no fuel costs, offshore wind electricity can be bid into the wholesale electricity market at a price close to zero. This influx of low-cost electricity can lower the market price paid to electricity generators across the board, an effect known as “price suppression.” By lowering the price for all electricity purchased in the wholesale market, this price suppression effect helps reduce electricity bills across New England.
Furthermore, offshore wind tends to produce the most power during the coldest winter months when natural gas prices are at their highest. This makes it a crucial tool for protecting consumers from the severe rate spikes that often occur during winter due to natural gas shortages for both heating and electricity generation.
A June report published by Synapse Energy Economics highlights the potential savings offshore wind could provide. Procuring 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030 could reduce electricity bills for New England customers by $630 million annually, assuming moderate gas prices. If natural gas prices rise —a growing concern in today’s volatile energy market —regional savings could increase to as much as $1.7 billion annually. For the average Connecticut household, this translates to a decrease in electricity bills of approximately $108 a year at moderate gas prices, and $139 a year at high gas prices.
Some state leaders have raised concerns that the costs of offshore wind contracts exceed the typical wholesale market electricity price. However, this view fundamentally misunderstands the way that New England’s wholesale electricity market works.
While the contract price for offshore wind may be above the wholesale market price, the price suppression effect means offshore wind will ultimately lower customers’ electricity costs. As Synapse’s report shows, offshore wind will make electricity rates and bills go down, not up, because offshore wind has no fuel costs and therefore lowers the wholesale price for all electricity purchased in the market.
For Connecticut, investing in offshore wind means lowering electricity bills, reducing exposure to natural gas price spikes, and creating a more stable energy future. The idea that offshore wind will raise costs is simply not supported by the facts. Instead, offshore wind offers a clear and direct path to reducing electricity bills and ensuring affordable, reliable energy for all.
Melissa Whited is Vice President of Synapse Energy Economics.
Connecticut
Joe Deko Appointed to State Legislature’s Group Studying Prepaid Funeral Contracts to Protect Consumers
- Reviewing contract structures: Examining issues related to pre-need funeral contracts and cremation service agreements.
- Strengthening oversight: Recommending stronger consumer protections and improvements to state regulation of the funeral services industry.
- Developing compensation mechanisms: Creating rules for distributing funds to affected consumers and exploring the framework for a future industry-backed guarantee fund.
Deko took to Facebook to share the news.
“I am honored to announce my appointment to the Connecticut State working group focused on reviewing and strengthening Connecticut’s prepaid funeral laws.
This important effort brings together professionals and stakeholders committed to ensuring that prepaid funeral arrangements continue to serve and protect Connecticut families while maintaining the highest standards within our profession.
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute my experience and perspective to this process and look forward to working collaboratively with fellow members of the group.
A special thank you to Senator Paul Cicarella for his confidence in me and for entrusting me with this appointment. Your support and leadership are greatly appreciated. I look forward to helping shape thoughtful policies that will benefit Connecticut families and the funeral profession for years to come.”
Connecticut
Sierra Club Connecticut, State Representatives Host Black Lungs Matter: Juneteenth Press Event – CleanTechnica
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Hartford Advocates and Community Members Gathered to Remember, Honor Path to Freedom
HARTFORD, Ct. — Today, Sierra Club Connecticut and State Representatives Minnie Gonzalez, Maryam Khan, and Jilian Gilchrist hosted Black Lungs Matter, a Juneteenth Press Conference, at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building.
The event highlighted the disproportionate impact of air pollution on Black residents in Connecticut and the broken promises that have contributed to this impact. Speakers included state representatives, public health and civil rights experts, plus local voices from Sierra Club Connecticut and the Connecticut Coalition for Economic and Environmental Justice.
The groups are concerned that Governor Lamont is no longer moving ahead with eliminating all carbon emissions from state building heating and cooling systems, as he pledged in Executive Order 21-3. The Trump Administration has also cancelled at least $50 million in federal grants for environmental justice projects across New England, a substantial portion of which was slated to come to Connecticut environmental justice organizations.
Environmental injustice refers to the fact that environmental hazards, such as air and water pollution, and the health harms that they cause, are disproportionately experienced by people of color and low income people. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, income, ethnicity, tribal affiliation or disability, in the environmental decision making which affects them.
“Just like the enslaved people in Texas were some of the last to gain their freedom, the asthmatic children of Hartford are likely to be the last to breathe clean air,” said Dr. Mark Mitchell, founder of the Connecticut Environmental Justice Leadership Collaborative. “The Governor should keep his clean air promise to Hartford, and help fight back against the environmental injustice of the Trump Administration.”
“As a Puerto Rican woman, I stand in solidarity with Black communities fighting for the right to breathe clean air and live healthy lives,” said Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, who represents the residents that are most exposed to the pollution from Capitol Area Systems.
“As a representative of Hartford, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every child in our city breathes clean air,” said Rep. Maryam Khan. “On this Juneteenth, we recognize the painful legacy of environmental injustice that has disproportionately harmed Black communities. Today, I stand with the Sierra Club in demanding action to tackle air pollution in Hartford. No child’s future should be stolen by the air they breathe.”
“Connecticut has made commitments to Environmental Justice,” said Sharon Lewis, an Environmental Justice Advocate. “Juneteenth reminds us that commitments matter only when they reach the people they were intended to serve.”
“We cannot allow the environmental justice goals and objectives in this city to be ignored,” said Attorney Cynthia Jennings. “Any investment of our tax dollars must be used to improve the health and safety of residents in every Hartford community.”
“Let’s remind the Governor that Black Americans deserve to breathe clean air in Hartford,” said Sierra Club Connecticut Organizer Alycia Jenkins. “Once justice is won for Black Americans, justice will be won for all.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
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NEW CANAAN, Conn. — An elderly driver was rescued from his vehicle after he accidentally crashed into a swimming pool in on Tuesday.
It happened just after 10:30 a.m. at the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny Park in New Canaan, Connecticut.
The Tesla plowed through a fence and set of trees before plunging into the water. Police say he was trying to park at the time.
The community pool was closed when it happened, so no one was swimming or in the path of the vehicle.
Lifeguards and first responders entered the pool to help the driver out of the vehicle.
Lifeguard Mike D’Urso, 18, described what happened.
“Me and my coworker were setting up the umbrellas when we heard a loud crash and we turned around and there was a car right in the middle of the pool,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso said the man was conscious and alert, but the vehicle began to take on water.
“The car began to sink a couple minutes in, and my concern was that the water would rise above his head and wouldn’t be able to breathe,” D’Urso said.
D’Urso and EMS workers pulled the victim out through the passenger side window. The driver said he wasn’t injured, but he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
The pool will have to be drained, cleaned and refilled. Officials hope to have it reopened by the weekend.
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