AGP Executive Report

Household Cost Crunch: A new doxo report finds a huge gap in what Americans pay for everyday bills—top-cost states can spend about 2.5x more than the most affordable regions, with energy and utility uncertainty driving pressure. CT Energy Bills Under Strain: In Connecticut, Eversource has filed for an 11% average rate increase, arguing grid upkeep and inflation leave it no choice—setting up another PURA fight. Fuel Tax Spotlight: Rising gas prices are also putting CT’s fuel taxes back in the spotlight as drivers feel the Iran-linked oil shock. Housing Momentum: Connecticut’s congressional delegation backed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to speed homebuilding and expand options. Local Development: Newhallville’s “Elm City Lofts” cleared a key city step for 242 new affordable apartments. Grid-Scale Storage Moves: Hull Street Energy is buying FirstLight’s hydro and storage portfolio, including major Connecticut assets, as the region leans harder on long-duration power. Health & Climate Watch: Lyme disease concerns keep growing, with tick findings in the U.S. reinforcing the need for prevention.

Coast Guard Academy showdown: In New London, Trump used his commencement speech to brand the U.S. as “the hottest country anywhere in the world,” then turned to Iran—warning the U.S. will “hit them very hard” and hinting at “nasty” action if talks don’t deliver “100% good answers.” Housing in Connecticut: New Haven’s City Plan Commission approved the 242-unit “Elm City Lofts,” converting an old Winchester Arms factory and adding two new buildings in Newhallville—another big step for local affordable housing. Power and grid moves: Hull Street Energy agreed to buy FirstLight’s Northeast hydro and storage portfolio, including Connecticut hydro stations and Massachusetts’ Northfield Mountain pumped storage. Utility pressure: Eversource asked Connecticut regulators for a $503M rate increase, targeting about an 11% average bill jump. Clean energy policy: Connecticut lawmakers backed the amended 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to boost housing supply. Local infrastructure: CTDOT is developing bridge and retaining-wall rehab plans across Derby, Glastonbury, Madison/Killingworth. Environment watch: Tick concerns keep rising nationally, while Northwest Connecticut residents report more aggressive bear encounters near homes and farms.

Balcony Solar Momentum: Connecticut is among New England states pushing “balcony solar” plug-in kits, with lawmakers aiming to cut setup costs and make small solar easier for renters and homeowners. Student Loan Fight: Connecticut AG William Tong and other states sued the U.S. Department of Education over a rule that narrows which “professional degrees” qualify for higher federal loan limits—raising stakes for healthcare students. Long Island Sound Water Quality: NVCOG won a $200,000 DEEP grant to assess Naugatuck River stormwater retrofit needs, building a portfolio of green stormwater projects for multiple towns. Local Outdoor Safety: DEEP announced an annual alcohol ban across 10 state recreation areas, including new 2026 coverage at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. Community & Conservation: Norwalk-area scientists are running a shellfish safety dye study, while Southbury hosts a free “Slither & Shell” talk on local snakes and turtles.

Pipeline Push: Enbridge is back with “Project Beacon,” a proposed Algonquin Gas Transmission expansion that could boost New England gas capacity by about 10% by late 2030, aiming to ease “bottlenecks” blamed for higher bills. Energy Debate: A fresh argument says renewables are the fix for rising costs and demand—fuel-free power versus volatile fossil prices. Tech in the Sky: Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery got North Haven approval, but it still hinges on FAA sign-off. Workforce & Schools: Connecticut’s career-focused technical high schools are helping some students—yet seat shortages keep many boys out. Public Safety & Health: CT is rolling out prison healthcare reforms after reports of long delays, while tick-bite surges and air-quality warnings are adding pressure during a hot stretch. Local Watch: DEEP announced 2026 temporary alcohol bans at 10 state recreation areas, including a new Rocky Neck section. Energy Infrastructure: CTDOT plans bridge rehab in Groton over Birch Plain Creek.

Outdoor Safety & Health Alerts: Connecticut is under a Code Orange air-quality warning for ozone, with officials urging people—especially kids, older adults, and anyone with asthma or heart/lung issues—to limit time outside as heat and pollution spike. Parks Policy: DEEP announced its annual alcohol ban for 10 state recreation areas starting May 20 through Aug. 17, adding Rocky Neck State Park (East Lyme) to the list. Ticks & Lyme Risk: Tick bites are sending more people to ERs, with CDC reporting surges this year—so expect extra attention on tick checks and outdoor precautions. Coastal Climate Impact: New research says the U.S. is losing tidal wetlands faster, driven mainly by stronger hurricanes and extreme weather. Fishing Enforcement: A new Connecticut striped bass rule would require catch-and-release in winter months, with fines up to $500 for repeat violations. Local Infrastructure: CTDOT is planning Route 349 bridge rehabilitation in Groton, with design targeted for 2029 and federal-state funding split.

Heat & Air Quality: Connecticut is heading into record-breaking warmth this week, with heat advisories and an air-quality alert as temperatures push into the 90s—plus a storm risk midweek. Public Safety: Four deadly crashes hit the state over the weekend, many involving younger drivers, as AAA’s “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” approaches. Wildlife Watch: A coyote attacked and dragged off a small dog in Wallingford, renewing DEEP warnings to keep pets leashed and never feed coyotes. Statehouse & Courts: The U.S. Justice Department sued Connecticut over a new law restricting federal agents’ masks and requiring ID, while Gov. Lamont faces a Democratic primary challenge for the first time in nearly 50 years. Infrastructure & Money: CTDOT is planning bridge repairs in Groton, and Treasurer Russell announced a successful $1.09B bond offering to fund statewide projects. Health & Education: CSCU’s regents chair Marty Guay resigned amid harassment-related fallout, and a Hartford officer was charged in the fatal shooting of Steven Jones.

Water Infrastructure Push: NEWEA is urging Congress to boost federal funding for wastewater and drinking-water systems and to tackle biosolids and PFAS with a national plan, warning New England’s aging infrastructure is under strain from climate impacts and new rules. Local Costs, Local Decisions: Norwalk’s WPCA is moving ahead with a $22.2M operating budget that raises sewer use charges by 4.5%, pointing to debt service tied to recent upgrades. Health Access on Campus: CT colleges are expanding free food and pantry support as students report food insecurity, with Central Connecticut State University spotlighting expanded, more central pantry access. Plastic Alternatives: A new study highlights hemp-derived material that could replace some petroleum-based plastics for packaging, including performance in hot-water contact. Outdoor Safety: Tick bites and Lyme-related ER visits are rising in the Northeast, with experts urging extra precautions outdoors.

Public Health Alert: Connecticut officials are warning residents to use extra caution with raw or undercooked shellfish after a hepatitis A outbreak in New York tied to contaminated blood clams (concha negra), with a limited number of Connecticut retailers reportedly receiving the same product. Food Safety Recall: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors in 17 states, including Connecticut, after metal fragments were found in a limited set of production runs—check best-by dates and stop eating affected pints/quarts. Outdoor Health: Tick bites are sending more people to ERs, with the Northeast seeing the biggest jump; experts urge caution outdoors as Lyme risk rises. Local Growth Planning: Old Lyme residents can weigh in on a townwide zoning rewrite via an online survey and a June 4 workshop focused on protecting drinking water, stormwater, flood/drought resilience, and open space. Workforce & Education: A new federal bill would make teacher student-loan forgiveness easier, while Connecticut’s counselor of the year spotlighted Mansfield’s Eileen Melody.

Treated-Seed Fight: A national environmental group sued the EPA under the Freedom of Information Act, demanding records on how neonicotinoid-coated seeds are disposed of at ethanol plants—pushing to close a long-running “treated article” loophole that lets coated seeds bypass key pesticide rules. Tick Season Surge: CDC-linked reporting says ER visits for tick bites are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with Lyme disease still a major concern as warmer conditions boost tick activity. Health Alert: Connecticut health officials warned residents about a hepatitis A outbreak in New York tied to contaminated shellfish, urging caution with raw or undercooked oysters, clams, and mussels. Education & Work Skills: Inside Connecticut’s technical high schools, career-focused shop classes are drawing students back to learning—especially boys—while workforce diversity remains a challenge. Transit Watch: A possible Metro-North strike is in the air as regional rail labor tensions continue to simmer.

CSCU Sex-Harassment Fallout: Connecticut’s former CSCU chancellor John Maduko resigned after records show he sent sexually explicit, “inappropriate and sexually suggestive” texts to an employee over two years, prompting an independent review into the conduct and the system’s response. Public Health Alert: CT health officials are warning residents about a hepatitis A outbreak in New York tied to contaminated imported blood clams sold to some Connecticut retailers—urging caution with raw or undercooked shellfish while stressing no confirmed link to CT-harvested product. Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream flavors in 17 states, including Connecticut, due to possible metal fragments. Local Growth Watch: Old Lyme residents are being asked to weigh in on a major zoning rewrite, with workshops starting June 4. Environment & Wildlife: Massachusetts drought worsened again, with the Connecticut River Valley now in Level 2 “significant” drought. Amazon Pressure in the Quiet Corner: Killingly residents are weighing a proposed 24/7 Amazon warehouse as opposition grows over traffic and environmental impacts. National Climate/Bees: A group sued the EPA for records on neonicotinoid-treated seed disposal, pushing to close a long-running regulatory loophole.

Shellfish Safety Alert: Connecticut health officials are urging residents to use common-sense precautions after a hepatitis A outbreak in New York linked to contaminated fresh-frozen blood clams (concha negra), with a limited number of Connecticut retailers reportedly receiving the same product. Food Recall Watch: Straus Family Creamery recalled select flavors of its organic ice cream in 17 states, including CT, due to a potential presence of metal fragments—check best-by dates and stop eating affected pints/quarts. Local Growth & Water: Old Lyme residents are invited to weigh in on a major zoning rewrite, with upcoming workshops focused on environmental rules tied to drinking water, stormwater, flooding, and open-space protection. Wildlife in Focus: A quick explainer breaks down how duck nesting boxes work—and why predator guards can help, but aren’t a perfect fix for every threat. Health & Staffing Pressure: Senior living providers warn nurse and CNA shortages are worsening, threatening normal operations ahead.

Shellfish Safety Alert: Connecticut health officials are warning residents to use extra caution after a hepatitis A outbreak in New York tied to imported fresh-frozen blood clams (“concha negra”), with a limited number of Connecticut retailers receiving the same product. Youth Sports & Money: Sen. Chris Murphy is pushing a new “Let Kids Play Act” after saying private equity is squeezing families in youth hockey. Education Payoff: A Connecticut bill would make student loan forgiveness easier for teachers by letting classroom time count toward multiple programs at once. Campus Conservation: Trustees of Reservations and Kestrel Land Trust propose conserving open space around Hampshire College’s Hampshire campus as the school plans to sell land. Workforce Strain: Senior living operators warn of a looming shortage of nurses and CNAs. Local Land-Use Friction: Old Lyme’s zoning review could delay a shoreline sewer project staging plan.

EPA FOIA Fight: A new lawsuit from the Center for Food Safety targets the EPA for not turning over records on how neonicotinoid-coated seeds are disposed of at ethanol plants—an issue tied to bee and bird harm and a long-running regulatory loophole. Tick Season Reality Check: In Connecticut and beyond, reporting this week keeps spotlighting Lyme risk as tick activity ramps up. CT Health Policy: Connecticut lawmakers say 2026 focused on practical fixes—vaccines, Medicaid rates, and private equity—while other health debates continue. Local Water & Climate: Windham Water Works marked Water Week by pushing watershed protection, and NOAA’s El Niño outlook is raising expectations for a warmer summer. Bees in the Yard: A quick-hit planting guide urges native flowers to bring pollinators back fast. Connecticut Politics: The week also included major CT headlines, including a $35M UConn research backfill and fallout from New Britain’s mayoral credit-card probe.

EPA Records Fight: A food-safety group sued the EPA for documents tied to pesticide-coated seed disposal at ethanol plants, arguing a long-running loophole lets treated seeds bypass key pesticide rules and spread contamination widely. Reproductive Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court preserved access to the abortion pill mifepristone while a lawsuit continues, keeping pharmacy and mail access in place for now. CT Dairy Relief: Connecticut announced $22.5 million in emergency aid for struggling dairy farms as costs surge and milk prices stay low. DOJ vs Yale: The Justice Department accused Yale medical school of illegally using race in admissions, adding to a growing federal crackdown on university admissions practices. Local Climate & Water: Windham Water Works marked Water Week with public tours and watershed education, while Bridgeport’s park analysis found access is common but benefits aren’t shared equally. CT Energy Policy: Connecticut lawmakers advanced plug-in solar access for renters and others without suitable roofs.

Connecticut Solar Win: A last-day-of-session bill keeps rooftop and community solar incentives running through 2035, with a big new push on solar storage and permitting streamlining—an $85 million annual target budget that advocates call a major legislative win. CT Dairy Relief: Gov. Ned Lamont is releasing $22.5 million to help struggling dairy farmers hit by tariffs, falling milk prices, and higher input costs. Norwalk Habitat Restoration: Norwalk secured a $255,000 state grant to restore Andrews Field into freshwater wetland and wet meadow habitat, aiming to boost birds, amphibians, and pollinators. Healthcare Access: Yale New Haven Health is partnering with Escher Health to enroll eligible Medicaid patients who aren’t signed up yet, targeting fewer coverage gaps and less uncompensated care. Global Heat Safety: Experts are urging FIFA to strengthen heat-stress rules for the 2026 World Cup, warning current cooling protocols may not be enough.

Connecticut Dairy Relief: Gov. Ned Lamont moved fast with $22.5 million in aid for struggling dairy farmers, pointing to tariff-driven costs, falling milk prices, and higher fuel and fertilizer bills. Public Health Investment: Yale New Haven Health is pushing Medicaid enrollment for eligible patients, partnering with Escher Health to reduce gaps in coverage and uncompensated care. Energy & Grid Pressure: Dominion warned Connecticut regulators that Millstone Unit 2 could retire without a new long-term power contract, raising stakes for the state’s zero-carbon planning. Water Costs: CT Water is seeking a $28.8M rate increase that would lift bills by about 21%, citing PFAS treatment and major infrastructure upgrades. Environment Watch: A national legal fight is heating up as the Center for Food Safety sued the EPA for records tied to pesticide-coated seeds and a long-running regulatory loophole.