Articles from Connecticut Labor News

The Fairfield County Monopole Battle, Explained

The Connecticut Siting Council's consideration of United Illuminating's monopole project has sparked over two years of bipartisan opposition from lawmakers and Fairfield County residents. After a Superior Court judge ruled in April that the council wrongly approved the project without community input, the council voted again in September via straw poll to support the same plan. Governor Ned Lamont intervened asking for a delay, stating he wouldn't "let UI rush into a bad decision." The 195-foot monopoles would require utility easements from homes, businesses, and historical sites including the Pequot Library and Shiloh Baptist Church. Source: wshu.org

New Haven Lands $50.5M For Quantum Leap

Governor Ned Lamont announced a $50.5 million state investment in downtown New Haven's Innovation District to boost the life sciences industry and position the city as a national hub for quantum technologies. The investment includes $32 million in public infrastructure improvements and $17.2 million for a third lab-office building at 101 College Street to be built atop the never-completed Route 34 connector. The funding also supports a $1.3 million New Haven Innovation Center and infrastructure to facilitate development of the former Coliseum site, creating substantial construction opportunities and cementing New Haven's reputation in cutting-edge research and innovation. Source: newhavenindependent.org

RFPs Coming Soon For Ex-School Buildings

New Haven is preparing to issue Requests for Proposals for two former school buildings transferred from New Haven Public Schools to city ownership, including the former West Rock STREAM Academy and a Fair Haven Heights property at 311 Valley Street. Mayor Justin Elicker expressed optimism about receiving responses that will satisfy community needs while the school district expects to save approximately $74,000 annually in utility and maintenance costs. The RFPs represent redevelopment opportunities that could transform vacant educational facilities into community assets through adaptive reuse projects. Source: newhavenindependent.org

Hartford Land Bank Opens New Chapter With Construction Build

The Hartford Land Bank is embarking on a new phase by undertaking new construction projects rather than exclusively focusing on rehabilitation of existing properties. This strategic expansion represents a significant shift in the land bank's approach to addressing Hartford's housing and development needs, creating additional opportunities for construction contractors and building trades. The new construction initiative demonstrates the land bank's evolving role in urban redevelopment and its commitment to comprehensive neighborhood revitalization through diverse development strategies. Source: ctnewsjunkie.com

Brownfield Remediation and Development

East Hartford is actively pursuing brownfield remediation and redevelopment projects to transform contaminated or underutilized industrial sites into productive properties for new construction and economic development. The brownfield program addresses environmental contamination while creating opportunities for commercial, residential, and mixed-use development on previously unusable parcels. These remediation efforts represent significant infrastructure investment and construction opportunities as the town works to revitalize former industrial properties and expand its tax base through sustainable redevelopment. Source: easthartfordct.gov

Dominion Marks 50th Anniversary of Unit 2 at Millstone with Eye Toward Future

Dominion Energy is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Millstone Nuclear Power Station's Unit 2 while looking ahead to the facility's continued operation and potential future investments. The milestone highlights five decades of reliable baseload power generation for Connecticut while the company considers infrastructure upgrades and life-extension projects that could require substantial construction and maintenance work. The anniversary underscores the ongoing importance of nuclear power in Connecticut's energy portfolio and represents continued employment opportunities for construction trades and specialized technical workers at the Waterford facility. Source: hartfordbusiness.com

Retired Bridgeport Power Plant Demolished (Video)

A retired power plant in Bridgeport was demolished through controlled implosion, clearing the site for potential future development and redevelopment opportunities. The demolition of the obsolete energy facility represents a significant infrastructure change in Bridgeport and opens up valuable waterfront or industrial property for new construction projects. The site clearance could attract developers interested in residential, commercial, or mixed-use projects, creating construction opportunities and contributing to Bridgeport's ongoing efforts to revitalize its industrial areas and waterfront properties. Source: onlyinbridgeport.com

Connecticut in Energy Talks with Feds as Revolution Wind Resumes Construction

Governor Ned Lamont announced he is working "very closely" with the Trump administration on several aspects of energy policy following a federal judge's ruling that allowed the Revolution Wind project to resume construction. The $6 billion offshore wind project, which is 80% complete with over 1,200 workers involved, was halted by federal order in August but can now continue. Lamont indicated that ongoing talks with federal officials could ease the path forward for both renewable and fossil fuel energy projects in Connecticut and the broader New England region. Source: hartfordbusiness.com

Turner : Revolution Wind Not a Cure-All

Analysis examining the limitations of the Revolution Wind offshore project as a solution to Connecticut's energy challenges, despite its resumption of construction. While the 65-turbine, 700-megawatt project will provide significant clean energy to Connecticut and Rhode Island homes, experts caution that it represents just one piece of the state's broader energy transition puzzle. The piece explores the need for comprehensive energy infrastructure development beyond offshore wind to meet long-term renewable energy goals and grid reliability requirements. Source: ctmirror.org

Hartford Mayor Arulampalam Fills Key Economic and Housing Posts

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has appointed two seasoned administrators to lead the city's economic development and housing departments, filling critical positions that will oversee construction projects, development initiatives, and housing programs. The appointments are part of Arulampalam's broader effort to streamline city operations and make Hartford more business-friendly while addressing the city's housing shortage. The new leadership will oversee key development projects, building permits, and housing programs including downtown residential development and homeownership initiatives. Source: hartfordbusiness.com

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