As Connecticut inches closer to its 2040 deadline to procure all of its energy from zero-carbon sources, the state needs to diversify production, and some experts say that hydropower must become an increasingly important part of the energy mix if the Nutmeg State is going to meet its clean energy goals. However, for that to happen, hydro advocates say producers must be compensated more in order to sustain their businesses, and they complain that the state has largely ignored hydropower as a reliable clean energy source. Hydroelectric technology has existed for centuries. Hydroelectric dams convert the energy of flowing water into kinetic energy using hydraulic turbines. A generator converts the mechanical energy into electricity. In 2022, hydroelectricity accounted for about 6.2% of total U.S. electricity generation. About 7% of Connecticut’s electricity comes from hydropower, according to ISO-New England, which oversees the region’s electrical grid.

After decades-long decline, advocates hope hydroelectric power could see rebirth as clean energy solution

On Aug. 1, crews will begin blasting ledge along I-95 at Exit 74 in East Lyme to make room for another northbound travel lane as part of the $148 million rebuild at Route 161. The interstate will be closed in both directions for 15 minutes twice a day between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Connecticut Department of Transportation announced. The closures will continue for 6-8 weeks. DOT spokesman Josh Morgan said it’s not possible to give a narrower range of time for the blasting because the timing of each round of blasting depends on moment-to-moment conditions. Northbound drivers will take Exit 74, continue on Route 161 north which turns into Route 1, turn left onto Cross Road, left onto Waterford Parkway, and enter back on to I-95 northbound at Exit 75.
The project will flatten the grade along I-95, replace the I-95 bridge over Route 161, create new on- and off-ramps at Exit 74, and add additional lanes between exits 74 and 75. Construction began in April, and is expected to be completed in Spring 2027. The Department of Transportation awarded the $148 million project to Manafort Brothers as the lead contractor.

CTDOT Offers Text Alerts For Planned I-95 Closures, Blasting at Exit 74

Looking for a place to take a break from a busy day or to meet up with friends? Check out the town’s new pocket park, which was constructed as part of the third of six phases of a $12.4 million streetscape development project. The rest of phase three was an extension of phase two and involved constructing 1,300 feet of roadway and 2,100 feet of sidewalks; adding 15 sidewalk lights; and reconstructing seven driveways. “Brookfield’s streetscape design is consistent across all phases” of the project, which broke ground in 2017, he said. “The sidewalk lights, granite curbing, brick pavers and other amenities add a pleasant ambiance to our downtown.” Other work in phase three involved adding sidewalks on both sides of Old Route 7; those on the west side can be used as an extension of the Still River Greenway.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/phase-three-brookfield-streetscape-park-project-18255900.php

E-commerce giant Amazon.com has purchased two vacant retail plazas along the busy Boston Post Road in Orange for more than $14 million. The site was the subject of a 2020 redevelopment proposal to turn the former Lowe’s center into a 129,000-square-foot delivery station. It is unclear what Amazon’s plans are for the property. The two properties at 48-50 Boston Post Road were bought by Amazon.com Services and principal Michael D. Deal on July 5 for $14.5 million, according to town land records. Deal is Amazon’s general counsel. The properties were sold by Boston-based Great Island Development Group Orange LLC, and principals Bernard M. Devine Jr and Charles R. Irving III.

Amazon buys former Lowe’s plaza in Orange for $14.5M

Residents of Guilford and Madison as the energy company Eversource has started clearing trees from the 150-foot wide right of way running along transmission lines between Branford and Old Saybrook. The project is expected to run through the end of the year, said Eversource Manager of Vegetation Management in Connecticut Sean Redding. The clearing is one of two projects in the area, said Redding, the other focuses on the replacement of poles with sturdier poles and replacing wires with more compact covered wire along roadside distribution lines. He said that with the increased age of the trees in the state and with disease and invasive species, trees are failing and need to be removed from the easements. The width of the easement through most of the Guilford area, Redding said, is 150 feet, but can vary depending on the agreement at the time the easement was established. And transmission lines don’t necessarily fall directly in the middle of the easement.

Clear Cutting For Powerlines Between Branford and Old Saybrook has Neighbors Up in Arms

School buildings, tennis courts, playgrounds, and other public facilities are all set to receive millions of dollars in repairs and upgrades next year as part of a town-wide effort to improve local infrastructure. The Town Council voted unanimously last week to approve Mayor Laura Hoydick’s proposed improvement program for the 2023-24 fiscal year and issue $18 million in bonds to cover the cost of the project. According to town documents, the plan includes about $3.4 million to buy new school equipment and to cover various repairs to school buildings, including $1 million to replace the windows at Stratford Academy Johnson House on Birdseye Street. But Hoydick is proposing to build an about 500-seat black box theater on the property alongside space for food trucks and a music pavilion. The estimated $11.5 million project would be built in three stages, starting with about $2.5 million in infrastructure upgrades. The state has also appropriated $3 million in grant money to help the town redevelop the site.

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/stratford-approves-18m-upgrades-schools-parks-18209696.php?src=rdctpdensecp

The new Metro-North train station at Merritt 7 is open for commuters, however, the pedestrian bridge going over the railroad tracks to the office complex is missing some of its needed glass, delaying its debut. The delay is due to ongoing supply chain issues that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, Morgan said. Although the bridge looks complete, Morgan said several panels of glass are missing. Once complete, the pedestrian bridge will directly connect commuters on the Danbury Branch of Metro-North Railroad to the largest corporate park in Fairfield County, according to Merritt 7’s website. In addition to the bridge construction, CTDOT will repave and expand the parking lot from 88 spots to 105 spots in August. Demolition on the old platform is expected to start soon, after the June 7 opening of the new platform, Morgan said. The new platform is 500 feet long and heated to prevent snow and ice accumulation. The project, which began in September 2020 and was originally expected to be completed in fall 2022, has been previously delayed due to supply chain, underground utilities and drainage system issues.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/merritt-7-pedestrian-bridge-opening-delayed-18204284.php

With $100 million budgeted for an overhaul of the XL Center set to start next year, consultants in the arena business say that Connecticut needs to spend big to just stay in the game as cities around the nation invest in major venues. With the $100 million secured at the close of this year’s legislative session, XL Center managers are now in the middle of the design process, sketching out a multiyear, multiphase renovation of the 48-year-old arena, once known as the Hartford Civic Center. An upgraded XL is seen as crucial to continued viability for the arena and key to hopes of attracting an NHL franchise. Carstensen’s team has studied the XL Center over the decades and recommended continuous upgrades. “If they’re going to invest in XL, make sure that you’re not building something that’s out of date.”

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/hartford-xl-center-renovations-18196926.php

The new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, projected to cost roughly $25 million, should be mostly built by spring of 2024, and one town official said the exterior of the new building will likely completed soon. The new facility, named the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center after its donors from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, is replacing the old civic center, which was built in 1950. The foundation donated $5 million to the town in exchange for naming rights. The former civic center stopped programming in early 2022 to prepare for the demolition, which was completed in October 2022. The construction of the new facility began in November 2022. Since the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center is still an active construction site, it is closed to the public.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/greenwich-civic-center-cohen-18209055.php

The offshore wind market in North America has attracted global developers and equity partners as state and federal policies finally align to encourage investment in domestic clean energy. But at the same time, developers face challenges as inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, the high cost of materials, competition for vessels and ports, and workforce shortages threaten to slow progress. Park City Wind is proposed by Avangrid Renewables. It has contracted to provide 804 megawatts of capacity to Connecticut. The project would be staged from Salem, Massachusetts. The offshore wind port is being developed by Crowley Maritime, with its administrative office in Providence. Revolution Wind II is proposed by Ørsted and Eversource. The 884-megawatt project could serve Rhode Island if it gains a utility contract. Ørsted plans to stage all of its New England projects from the Connecticut State Pier in New London. Citing an industry report and government data, Ørsted says switching from coal-fired generation to wind power can reduce the carbon emitted from energy production by more than 99%.

https://www.bizjournals.com/rhodeisland/news/2023/07/21/offshore-wind-explainer-new-england.html