Latest news with #OperationFuel
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
21 trees planted at Weaver High School to celebrate Arbor Day in Hartford
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Twenty-one trees were planted at Weaver High School in Hartford on Friday to celebrate Arbor Day. Volunteers from Operation Fuel and the Connecticut Green Bank joined KNOX and the City of Hartford as a part of the Capital Forest Stewardship Initiative to plant 250 trees across the city this year and hundreds more over the next few years. The Arbor Day Foundation recognized Hartford as an official 'Tree City' 30 years ago. 'Our work today showcases the power of trees to connect the people across our community,' explained KNOX Executive Director Patrick Doyle. 'Together, apprentices, volunteers, residents, and community leaders are expanding access to the benefits that trees provide to everyone in Hartford.' 'This is really serious. Trees in a city like Hartford can make a huge impact,' said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. 'We know that as a city. We know on hot days the impact the tree canopy can have on heat islands. It can make an impact…a significant tree canopy of 10 to 20 degrees Over the next four years, 1000 trees are hoped to be planted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Connecticut GOP-backed bill aims to eliminate public benefits charge on electric bill
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A public hearing in Hartford on a bill designed to lower electric rates. It's backed by republicans who want to get rid of the 'public benefits charge' on your power bill. Democrats also say they want to lower rates but say it's a long-term problem. This idea has a lot of people talking. A big chunk of your electric bill consists of this public benefits charge. Republicans say get rid of that, and everybody's bill gets a lot cheaper. Connecticut lawmakers prepare to tackle energy costs in 2025 legislative session Most Democrats are fighting that because of what the charge funds. It supports energy efficiency initiatives, renewable energy, Operation Fuel, which helps keep the lights and heat on for low-income families. It also funds low-income loan programs and assistance for customers struggling to pay their electric bills. Republicans say it funds over 40 different discretionary government programs and is equivalent to a 'hidden tax' on electric bills. They want to get rid of that hidden tax. They tried to do this last year, as well. Democrats say high electric rates are a long-term problem they are working on. Right now, democratic Representative Mary Mushinsky has a press conference planned for 10 here at the Legislative Office Building. It says she is supporting the public benefits charge. Then, the Energy and Technology Committee is scheduled to begin its hearing at 10:30. I looked up the list of people who have signed up to speak at that hearing. There are close to a thousand people on that list, so this could be a very long day for the people in that hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
$2 million ‘Reconnecting Communities' grant to support transportation infrastructure in New Haven
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Local and federal officials are announcing a big grant for New Haven. The program is called 'Reconnecting Communities.' Its goal is to lessen the impact Interstate 91 had on neighborhoods in Elm City. The I-91 off-ramp has impacted homes and businesses in the area. That was part of the so-called 'urban renewal' of the 1960s. Operation Fuel's winter energy assistance program is underway Sen. Blumenthal, Congresswoman DeLauro and Mayor Elicker are announcing a $2 million grant on Monday from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program that will study ways to mitigate the impact I-91 had on local communities. That may include removing physical barriers, making it easier to walk around these neighborhoods, and even building more housing in these areas. Any action they take will come after plenty of time talking with community members about what they would like to see done. The areas at which they're looking include Union Station to Long Wharf, the 91\95 interchange, Wooster Square Court to Audobon, Exit 3, the Mill River District, Exits 4 and 5 on State Street, and Exit 6 at Willow Street. That announcement will come at 11:30 on Monday near I-91 at the Ralph Walker Skating Rink. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
