CT Labor News

Manchester's Lynch Toyota has completed a 298.1 kW solar carport installation at its Tolland Turnpike dealership, financed through the Connecticut Green Bank's CPACE program and installed by Ellington based Earthlight Technologies. The project is projected to save more than $968,000 over its lifetime, and is part of the Green Bank's broader mission to reduce energy costs for Connecticut businesses.

The Connecticut Green Bank has crossed a major milestone, surpassing $3.11 billion in cumulative investment in clean energy and environmental infrastructure since its founding in 2011, the first state level green bank in the nation. The total includes $463 million in public funds that have leveraged significant private capital, supporting nearly 30,000 green jobs and reducing energy costs for more than 71,000 families, businesses, and nonprofits across the state.

The West Hartford Town Council voted 9 to 0 to approve a zoning change at 230 Newington Road, clearing the way for a 54 unit for-sale affordable housing development proposed by Honeycomb Real Estate Partners. The project calls for six two-story residential buildings on approximately 2.49 acres, with the zoning board still to take up the building permit application.

Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has recommended replacing the state's current residential, non residential, and shared clean energy tariff programs with a unified eight-year successor program running from 2028 to 2035. Key changes include reduced export compensation to encourage on-site energy use, a shift to a "first-ready" project selection process for non-residential projects, and continued incentives for low-income customers and energy storage.

Student transportation provider Zum will deploy a fully electric school bus fleet for Branford Public Schools beginning in the 2026 27 school year, making Branford the largest fully electric school district with vehicle to grid (V2G) capabilities in the Northeast. The district is completing its transition to 100% electric buses three years ahead of its original schedule, with bidirectional V2G charging infrastructure that will allow buses to return stored energy to the local grid when not in service.

Demolition has started at East Hartford's Port Eastside development, where developers plan to build 300 apartments as the first phase of a project that will ultimately create up to 1,000 apartments, restaurants, and entertainment venues across 28 acres of Connecticut River waterfront property.

Connecticut solar developers are racing to launch commercial projects before a July 4 federal deadline, with businesses scrambling to qualify for a 30% Investment Tax Credit set to expire under new federal rules. Projects must begin construction by July 4 or reach full operation by December under the One Big Beautiful Bill.

The Connecticut Siting Council voted 6-1 to formally reject United Illuminating's application to build transmission line monopoles up to 195 feet high through Fairfield and Bridgeport. The decision concludes the review process for the controversial project that faced strong opposition from residents, businesses, and local officials.

Dispatch Energy has energized a 4-megawatt fuel cell facility at Bunnell Block in Bridgeport, a former brownfield site, as part of Connecticut's Shared Clean Energy Facility program. The project will provide clean baseload power to an estimated 3,393 homes and reduce emissions by 50% in a densely populated area.

Over 30 New Haven residents gathered at Hillhouse High School to share ideas for revitalizing the long-vacant Goffe Street Armory. The city plans to allocate a $6.75 million state grant for repairs, with the west wing dedicated to vocational training and the east wing serving as housing.

Demolition work begins on Hartford's vacant data processing center near Dunkin' Park, making way for a $90 million AI center, boutique hotel, and parking garage. The $9.4 million demolition is expected to complete by June, clearing the site for RMS Cos. redevelopment that includes a proposed center for applied artificial intelligence with potential Google technology partnership.

A federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's halt of the Revolution Wind offshore project, allowing construction to resume on the nearly-complete wind farm. Gov. Lamont praised the ruling, stating the project will deliver diverse energy supply and lower utility costs for over 300,000 Connecticut homes while creating good-paying jobs.

Connecticut's 2026 gubernatorial race centers on electricity affordability as candidates navigate Trump administration policies shifting federal energy support away from renewables. Gov. Lamont pursues an "all-of-the-above" strategy including natural gas expansion, while facing criticism from both progressive Democrats favoring clean energy investments and Republicans seeking to eliminate public benefits charges on electric bills.

Dispatch Energy energized a 4-megawatt fuel cell power plant at Bridgeport's Bunnell Block, providing clean baseload electricity for approximately 3,400 homes. The project, developed with United Illuminating under Connecticut's Shared Clean Energy Facility program on a former brownfield site, aims to reduce emissions by 50 percent while strengthening grid reliability amid rising demand from data centers.

Avangrid activated the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line, delivering 1,200 megawatts of Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts with potential benefits for Connecticut ratepayers. The $1.6 billion project is expected to ease wholesale electricity prices across New England by reducing competition for power from regional generators, though the impact on individual bills may be modest according to industry experts.

Connecticut's State Bond Commission approved over $31 million for Hartford economic development projects as part of a $3 billion bonding package. Funding includes $17.5 million through the Capital Region Development Authority for downtown parking garage repairs, Capitol Hotel renovation loans, and $6.5 million for North End affordable housing and daycare projects led by Mutual Housing Association and Citadel Community Development.

Shelton-based ALKA Inc. seeks to amend an approved Planned Development District at 493 Bridgeport Avenue to build five one-bedroom townhouses. The site, near Walmart and Crown Point Center, was originally approved in 2016 for a gas station and convenience store but failed to generate retail interest. Each townhouse would include a garage with two parking spaces.

Santander Bank provided $88 million in construction financing for Benedict Court, a 120-unit multifamily property in Greenwich. The consortium led by Lonicera Partners, Nimbus Properties, and Benedict Capital will build the development at 7-23 Benedict Place with 72 market-rate and 48 affordable units, plus 170 underground parking spaces. Completion scheduled for August 2028.

Local organizations face a January 20 deadline to submit redevelopment proposals for two former New Haven school buildings vacant since 2021. The former West Rock STREAM Academy and Quinnipiac Real World STEM School closed during COVID-19 due to outdated HVAC systems. Nonprofits including Hope for New Haven and All Nations Christian Academy are preparing bids to repurpose the properties for daycare, educational, and community uses.

Woodbridge zoning commissioners voted 6-0 to amend town zoning rules prohibiting future projects similar to a 96-unit mixed-income apartment complex they approved just one month earlier. The reversal came after over 150 residents gathered to oppose the December 2025 approval of the four-story development at 804 Fountain Street on the Woodbridge-New Haven border, which would include only 12 affordable units.