LARSON TO HOST HOUSE TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP TO DISCUSS THE I-84/I-91 TUNNEL PROPOSAL Hartford, CT – On Friday, September 15th at 10:30 am, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) will host the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (PA-09) and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (OR-04) to discuss the I-84 and I-91 Tunnel proposal.
The three Members will discuss the future of infrastructure in America and how bold projects, like the I-84 and I-91 Tunnel proposal, are needed nationwide.
Who: Rep. John Larson, Chairman Bill Shuster, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio
What: Press Conference on I-84/I-91 Tunnel Proposal
Where/When: Friday, September 15, 2017 10:30 AM Hearing Room 1A Legislative Office Building 300 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT
Deal struck on stabilizing profits of Millstone
The Connecticut General Assembly and the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy have agreed in principle on bipartisan legislation authorizing state energy officials to take measures to stabilize the profitability of New England's largest power plant, the Millstone nuclear station in Waterford.
Passage of the measure would resolve what has been one of the most heavily lobbied issues at the State Capitol over two years and underscore the reluctance of lawmakers to risk the political fallout that would come in the swing districts of southeastern Connecticut next year if Dominion Energy acted on threats to close the plant.
Aside from generating enough carbon-free power to meet half of the state's energy needs and keep it on track to lower greenhouse gases, Millstone is an economic powerhouse with a workforce of well-paid technical staff in a corner of the state with a soft economy and an electorate that often feels neglected by Hartford.
"It's very important that we stand up for the folks who work there every day," Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, told CT Mirror. "They're good jobs. They've been there for a long time. And I think we respect the people who work there, and we want to make sure we are fighting for them as well as all of eastern Connecticut."
It was unclear Thursday night if the measure would come before the legislature, which is meeting in special session to adopt a budget, as a stand-alone bill or as an attachment to the budget.
Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, whose district includes Waterford and has strongly advocated helping Millstone as co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, said he was awaiting final legislative language, but was encouraged by the bipartisan consensus.
"I'm waiting for the language," Formica said. "It seems to be my understanding that everybody's clear on where we're going, and the plant gets saved. That's the most important issue."
The measure is similar to a bill passed by the Senate at the end of the regular 2017 session, only to die from inaction in the House.
It would allow — not require — the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to change energy procurement rules, if deemed in the best interest of the state and ratepayers.
It does not include the imposition of any fees on Dominion, a possibility considered as the legislature has struggled to pass a balanced budget. But Malloy said unequivocally this week he would oppose any such fees as a hidden tax on electric ratepayers.
"I am not in favor of plugging money in, because quite frankly it's ratepayer money," Malloy said. "If you're going to raise somebody's taxes, be honest about it — you're raising their taxes."
On the orders of Malloy, DEEP and PURA already are performing an assessment of the financial stability of Millstone and the nuclear energy market. Profits have been squeezed by competition with power plants fueled by relatively cheap natural gas.
It is unclear if Dominion, a publicly traded company that already discloses significant financial information, would provide additional data sought by PURA and DEEP to make the case that it needs new rules for selling the electricity generated at Millstone.
New Mohegan Park water tank being erected piece by piece
Norwich — If you want to see a live Tetris game going on, check out the construction of the new $3.1 million, 2.5-million-gallon water tank on Judd Road in Mohegan Park.
The new concrete water tank is replacing the massive steel 5-million-gallon, 140-foot-diameter tank that sat at the edge of Judd Road since 1971. The old tank was disassembled in July. The project is designed to improve water quality and circulation for customers on the Norwich Public Utilities water system. The smaller new ground-level tank will stand 86 feet tall, but only 73 feet in diameter.
The smaller, modern design of the tank allows water to circulate more frequently, improving quality, NPU officials said. The concrete tank also will require less maintenance, NPU spokesman Chris Riley said.
Budget Plan Includes $115 Million for Hartford's XL Center Renovations
The city’s aging XL Center arena would get $115 million over two years as part of a budget plan that will be debated tonight and early tomorrow by the state House and Senate.
Sen. John W. Fonfara, D-Hartford and co-chairman of the legislature’s finance revenue and bonding committee, said the capital plan includes $40 million for the current fiscal year and $75 million for 2019.
The allocation is just shy of the $125 million sought by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, but higher than the $75 million approved earlier this year by the finance committee.
The amount included in the budget plan is close to half of the $250 million needed for a recommended, top-to-bottom makeover of the arena. The project has been envisioned as spreading over three or four years.
“The administration feels that...while they continue to look for a public-private partnership and examine options on how to make this work, this level of investment is needed now, and I agree with them,” Fonfara said.
Fonfara said he confident the funding will survive legislative debate.
If the legislature backs the plan as part of the much broader budget plan, the State Bond Commission would still have to approve borrowing the money.
The project has been controversial with opponents in the legislature arguing the state can’t afford to keep borrowing such huge sums when the state faces a spiraling deficit.
Supporters say a renovated arena is an amenity crucial to the revitalization of downtown Hartford and keeping the XL Center viable amid intensifying competition from the state’s two casinos and a new casino and entertainment complex that will open in Springfield next year.
This spring, the Capital Region Development Authority sought “expressions of interest” from private investors who might be willing to take on a portion of the costs, easing the burden on taxpayers.The authority drew just one response, from an investor group led by Washington, D.C.-based Savage Funding, a firm that specializes in assembling groups to pursue public-private partnerships.
“I think they understand there has to be a different approach to this to get the kind of resources that we may need,” Fonfara said. “Even with a private partner, we’re still going to need public money.”
Michael W. Freimuth, the authority’s executive director, said the $115 million is close to the $125 million initially sought. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Construction industry: Transportation cuts would damage CT economy
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Wednesday September 13, 2017
Bristol City Council OKs state grant application for Memorial Boulevard magnet school
Employee assistance programs offer a bridge to addiction recovery
Wallingford council approves adding $600,000 for sewer facility plan
Judd Road to be closed for Norwich Public Utilities water tank replacement
Waterbury aldermen agree to borrow $9.5 million for greenway
Monday September 11, 2017
Wallingford Sewer Division seeking $600,000 budget amendment for wastewater treatment plant analysis
Owner of Norwich portion of former Norwich Hospital owes nearly $82,000 in back taxes
Friday September 8, 2017
City releases increased hiring of minorities, women, residents on school construction projects
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Stonington approves another $88,000 to fix Bayview Avenue drainage problem
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East Hampton’s renovated $51.7 million high school to be dedicated Friday
Thursday September 7, 2017