Only a stone wall separates Cerveney’s property from Mount Decatur — the site of a fort built during the War of 1812 — where Quincy, Massachusetts-based Cashman Dredging is proposing a five- to 10-year “industrial regrading” project to turn much of the hill into a flat, 40-acre pad ready for industrial businesses. The proposal is the latest idea Cashman has floated for the Thames River industrial property long associated with Dow Chemical, and now home to an Americas Styrenics plant. A conceptual plan from February showed the space being filled by a 100,000-square-foot building, a 80,000-square-foot building, and twin 40,000-square-foot buildings. But what would actually be built would depend on demand. Having the pad ready for development would be key when an opportunity arises, the company said, adding that the land has limited potential for development without grading.

Fears Mount Over Industrial Project’s Impact on Ledyard Neighborhood

Connecticut’s already diminished hydropower industry is at risk of further losses due to aging infrastructure and poor economic conditions, industry leaders told a state hydropower task force on Friday. Hydroelectric power accounts for less than 1 percent of the electricity generated in Connecticut, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. State lawmakers established a task force earlier this year to study Connecticut’s existing hydropower assets, as part of a broader goal of obtaining all of the state’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2040. Connecticut is home to 32 powered dams, according to the National Hydropower Association. The highest concentration of those dams are in the eastern half of the state, as well as in the northwest corner. Thousands of other dams — ranging in use from flood control, to supplying water and powering mills — exist elsewhere in the state, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Dozens of dams that are currently undeveloped for hydropower are capable of supplying electricity to the region, according to a 2006 report by the U.S. Department of Energy.

https://www.ctpost.com/connecticut/article/ct-hydropower-task-force-dam-closures-18527317.php?src=rdctplocal

The demolition of Watrous Nursing Home this week will make room for a three-lot subdivision on the 2.96-acre parcel, with lots ranging in price from $775,000 to $795,000. The Planning & Zoning Commission had approved the plans, submitted by Mady Devel III LLC, at their meeting early spring 2023 for the development in a R-3, residential district. Mady Devel III purchased the property from Watrous Realty, LLC in September for $1.15 million. The lots can be purchased, and luxury homes built by Wesbuilt Modular, LLC or any other builder, according to Kacy Caviston, a partner with Mady Devel III and Webuilt Modular. The houses will be priced in the $2 million range, which includes the cost of the land, said Caviston. One lot will come off the market as soon as the property is cleared and ready for construction.

https://www.nhregister.com/shoreline/article/demo-madison-s-watrous-nursing-home-make-way-2-m-18524284.php?src=nhrhpdesecp

After proposed new regulations were derailed, Gov. Ned Lamont and the state legislature are now shining a spotlight on electric vehicles as they plot the future path for the state in a fast-moving industry that is already being driven by market forces. In the coming weeks and months, lawmakers will flesh out the details of a plan as they intend to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and smooth the transition away from gasoline-powered cars. Legislators have raised questions about costs, charging stations and infrastructure, among others. But for some legislators, a key issue is that the electric batteries sometimes catch on fire and have been difficult to extinguish. Electric car advocates, however, say that the fires are highly unusual and the batteries are less likely to catch on fire than conventional batteries. The problem, though, is extinguishing the blaze once it starts. Out of more than 3 million vehicles registered in Connecticut as of July 2023, only 36,000 were electric, according to state statistics.

CT has an electric car problem. Here’s what’s driving delays, debate and new economic inequality.

A Massachusetts-based company that manufacturers electric vehicle batteries is planning to build a factory in Bridgeport, with the help of $47.5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Nanoramic Laboratories plans to create 200 permanent jobs at the plant for the manufacturing of lithium iron phosphate battery electrodes for grid storage. Nanoramic Laboratories is owned by FastCap Ultracapacitors, based in Wakefield, Massachusetts. On Friday, Gov. Ned Lamont, other state officials and John Cooley, founder and chief products officer for Nanoramic Laboratories, announced the project at the University of Bridgeport’s Harrison Steans Advanced Manufacturing Center.

Mass. company to construct EV battery plant in Bridgeport, with help of $47.5M federal grant 

The University of Connecticut was one of four institutions to receive a grant from the Department of Energy to support their offshore wind power development program. According to a press release from UConn, the grant contributes $2.1 million to the project, which is expected to cost $3.7 million in total. The difference will be covered by industry partners such as Eversource, an energy company that partnered with UConn to create the Eversource Energy Center, which researches and develops technology for more reliable power. According to the press release, the main focus of the project is maximizing the grid capacity of the offshore wind farm with their current transmission lines. The project looks to accomplish their goal by utilizing dynamic line rating sensors to monitor the transmission lines of an offshore wind farm. The sensors will collect data such as wind speed and the line’s temperature. This data will ideally be used to ensure that wind farms are consistently operating at their maximum safe capacity.

UConn receives federal grant for offshore wind farm development project

Looking to capitalize on housing for temporary and traveling workers in southeastern Connecticut, a New Jersey company is proposing to build a 122-room WoodSpring Suites hotel at the border with New London on Boston Post Road, it told the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday. Commission Chair Gregory Massad, who asked Seven Hills to make the informal presentation so commissioners could note any initial concerns, said his main issue was the potential impact on neighbors in the mixed-use commercial and residential area. Massad said he felt more comfortable with the idea after seeing the project’s presentation, which is currently being reviewed by the Conservation Commission for a wetlands permit. Sweeney said they are required to consider all approved and pending projects in their traffic review, and would make sure the new condos were taken into account.

New Jersey Company Proposes New Waterford Hotel to Accommodate Growing Temp Workforce

Another $1.5 million for the senior center building project was overwhelmingly approved by voters in a referendum on Tuesday, resolving the town’s yearlong attempt to cover the looming shortfall. The additional funds include approximately $32,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds, a $575,000 donation from the estate of Stephen Bendas and $892,300 in additional bonding, increasing the total project budget from $9.5 million to $11 million. The project has been short on funds since October 2022, when it was revealed costs would rise. After making some reductions, the town voted to make up the shortfall using the $575,000 donation and additional funds from Colchester’s Unassigned Fund Balance. Current First Selectman Bernie Dennler said he was glad the additional funding was allocated, since the building’s construction is underway.

Colchester Voters OK Added $1.5M For Senior Center Project

The Town Council has approved another $1.47 million for renovations to Sutton Park, bringing the total budget allocated, primarily toward updating the skate park, to about $2.5 million. On Tuesday, councilors were in agreement about improving the park, but there were differing opinions regarding the extent of the work and the timing of the renovations. In its budget for fiscal year 2022, the council included $1.05 million for Sutton Park renovations — $850,000 from American Rescue Plan funds and another $200,000 from the state’s local capital improvement program. The funds were originally meant to upgrade the skate park, install new lights and replace the playground. However, following public feedback, additional desired changes and increased labor and materials costs were incorporated into the plan, hiking the price tag to about $4.15 million. Town Manager John Burt said the park improvements are meant to be a long-term plan and will not be completed all at once.

Groton Council OKs Added $1.47M for Sutton Park Renovations

The town is examining different ways it could fund more than $100 million in needed school repairs across three of the district’s buildings. One of the ideas for the funding included the possibility of bonding the project for up to 20 years, with expected grand list growth helping to offset the costs. Vanderslice said the growth in the town’s grand list from multifamily projects and the ASML expansion will likely bring in over $1 million per year in new property taxes, less than the cost of projected new students. Erik Kaeyer, a principal with KG + D Architects, went through some of the repairs needed mostly for Cider Mill School, Middlebrook School and Wilton High School. On average, these buildings are about 60 years old and have not seen major repairs in 24 years, though many have corrected minor issues over the years, he said.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/wilton-schools-projects-100-million-improvements-18521148.php