Proposals for new natural gas lines across Connecticut and New England are igniting fierce debates over interlocking issues of energy costs, fossil fuels and climate change.
The final outcome, according to those on both sides of the controversy, is likely to have a major impact on New England energy production and its cost to consumers in Connecticut and the region for decades to come.
Along the way, there have been demonstrations, votes by local legislative bodies, legal filings and political infighting.
"It's a huge cost financially," Greg Cunningham, vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation in Massachusetts, said of the proposals. "This is also increasing our reliance on another fossil fuel" at a time when New England and the U.S. should be concentrating on renewable energy, he said.Mitch Gross, a spokesman for Eversource Energy, said the existing gas supply system "can't meet demands at critical times of the year," and those shortages are what drive up the costs of energy. He said Eversource executives believe the region needs to use a combination of expanded gas lines, conservation and alternative energy to meet the needs of consumers and business.
Skirmishes over two major multibillion-dollar pipeline plans have ranged throughout the region, from West Hartford to southern New Hampshire. It's a fight pitting the energy industry and pro-natural gas governors like Dannel P. Malloy against environmentalists, community activists and landowners. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Road Work To Close Route 2 Westbound Ramp To Founders Bridge Beginning Monday
EAST HARTFORD — Beginning Monday, motorists on Route 2 west will have to take a detour on local roads to get to the Founders Bridge and continue into downtown Hartford.
The regular route, an elevated highway ramp, will be closed around the clock until work is completed in November, a state transportation official said.
"The structure is in poor condition. It needs to be replaced," Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick said earlier this month.
The work will close the downtown Hartford exit off Route 2 that many commuters into the city's downtown use. Although there is a sign at the exit, there is no exit number."This is a big morning commute throughway," Nursick said. "There's a lot of folks in that area in the morning."
A local detour to Route 2 west will be put in place to redirect traffic, Nursick said. Motorists will be asked to take Exit 3 to Pitkin Street to Darlin Street to the Route 2 west on-ramp to the Founders Bridge. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Transportation Finance Panel Materials & Final Reports
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