Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has joined 20 states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the termination of FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The state faces the loss of approximately $84 million in federal funding for local infrastructure projects designed to protect against flooding and storm surges. The lawsuit argues that the administration acted unlawfully in unilaterally shutting down the pre-disaster mitigation program, potentially leaving critical construction and resilience projects unfunded. Source: hartfordbusiness.com
Bridgeport is set to become home to Connecticut's first state-funded special education center, marking a significant milestone in the state's educational infrastructure development. The new facility will provide specialized educational services and support for students with disabilities, representing a major investment in special needs education. The center will serve as a model for similar facilities across Connecticut and demonstrates the state's commitment to inclusive education infrastructure. Source: patch.com
Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has launched a new online mapping tool to assist with solar project siting across the state. The Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool (CREST), mandated by Public Act 24-31, helps identify optimal locations for solar installations while advancing Connecticut's zero-carbon energy goals. The interactive mapping platform provides developers and communities with data-driven guidance for renewable energy project planning and development. Source: ctbythenumbers.news
An examination of how California's wildfire prevention and management technologies are gaining bipartisan political support at the federal level. The article explores how innovative fire suppression and prevention technologies developed in California are being adopted nationwide, with growing backing from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. This technology transfer represents a rare area of political consensus on climate-related infrastructure and public safety investments. Source: politico.com
California faces a complex challenge balancing its abundance of technological innovation with the affordability concerns surrounding data center development. The state continues to grapple with regulatory frameworks, environmental considerations, and community impacts as tech companies seek to expand their data center footprint. The ongoing debate highlights tensions between economic development, environmental sustainability, and housing affordability in tech-heavy regions. Source: politico.com
IBEW and other labor union leaders have announced their strong support for a major new data center construction project that promises significant employment opportunities. The IBEW says a four-year steady project would allow them to recruit more than 300 new people into their paid apprenticeship. The project emphasizes union-built infrastructure by local workers, representing high-quality construction jobs and workforce development opportunities in the rapidly growing data center sector. Source: fox23.com
A comprehensive analysis of America's critical need to modernize and expand its electrical transmission infrastructure to support future energy demands. The commentary explores how building a robust transmission backbone is essential for integrating renewable energy sources, supporting data centers, and ensuring grid reliability. The piece emphasizes the role of skilled electrical workers, particularly IBEW members, in constructing this vital infrastructure for the nation's energy security. Source: minotdailynews.com
The Trump administration's recently signed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is expected to significantly impact electricity bills across the US. The law ends tax incentives for wind and solar projects and is expected to drive up electricity bills across the U.S., according to a nonpartisan think tank. The legislation eliminates renewable energy tax credits while maintaining support for traditional energy sources, potentially shifting the cost burden to consumers and affecting the competitive landscape of power generation. Source: ft.com
United Illuminating executive Jim Cole responds to Fairfield advocates' claims about the company's proposed monopole transmission line project through Fairfield and Bridgeport. Cole addresses what he calls "false and misleading information" regarding easements, cost estimates, and project necessity, defending UI's overhead solution over underground alternatives citing significant cost differences and technical complexities.
Penn Real Estate Group receives approval for a 150-room Marriott Residence Inn on Park Street in New Haven. The project will replace vacant medical offices, a former laundromat, and surface parking with a hotel featuring 31 parking spaces, private courtyard, meeting rooms, and public cafe and bar, despite community concerns about gentrification and parking impacts.