Eco-News on Climate, Streets, Food, & More

Middletown NRG Power Plant Sold:
We have learned that NRG, in December, closed on its sale of 4.9 gigawatts of generation capacity in New York, New England, and California to ArcLight Capital Partners and its subsidiary, Generation Bridge, for $760 million. The sale included the natural gas and oil power plant at 1866 River Road, in Middletown, whose expansion the Jonah Center and Ecoin vigorously opposed a year ago. ArcLight appears to have different plans for the site – ones we like better. Click here to learn more.

Expand Commercial Solar:
To reach our state’s climate goals of 40% of energy use coming from renewables by 2030, and 100% by 2050, we need to remove the current strict limits on commercial solar. The Jonah Center has joined the Coalition for Sensible Solar Regulation whose goal is to raise or eliminate the existing caps on commercial renewable energy projects of less than 2 MW. Connecticut has the potential to expand commercial solar on rooftops and parking lots. Learn more about CSSR here. Once the new session of the Connecticut General Assembly begins and legislation has been proposed, we will let our readers know to support this regulatory change.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation Affects MiddletownCongresswoman Rosa DeLauro recently visited Middletown to announce that the long-awaited improvements to the Route 17 on-ramp to Route 9 northbound will be funded by the federal infrastructure act. According to the Middletown Press article, the improvements will cost $42.5 million. You may view a detailed image of the plan here. Construction is likely to begin in the Spring of 2023. (Note: This project is independent of any decision or plan to remove the traffic signals on Route 9 in Middletown.) Although it has not been stated as such, it also appears that the federal infrastructure law also allowed for funding of the next item in this newsletter.

Butternut Street & Park Improvements Funded:
Middletown's Acting Director of Public Works Chris Holden has informed us that the proposed sidewalk between West Street and Butternut Park, and a paved walking path around Butternut Pond, have been funded by a CT DOT Community Connectivity Grant of $580,000. The sidewalk was requested by Middletown's Complete Streets Committee in 2018. Read more and see the plan here.

"Your Diet Is Cooking The Planet" in The Atlantic:
Food production accounts for roughly a quarter of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions, and scientists have found that limiting global warming will be impossible without significant changes to how the world eats. We need to quit wasting food and to eat less meat. Read the article by Annie Lowrey in The Atlantic.

Who’s Walking In Portland?
Portland’s Complete Streets Group promotes safe walking and bicycling for better health, recreation, and transportation by celebrating residents who are seen out on the streets. Here is the article on Monica Jensen.

Buy Locally Grown Produce:
Healthy PlanEat has some hearty winter crops, vegetables grown in high tunnels, and sustainable hydroponically grown greens and tomatoes available, plus the standard bread, pasta, cheese, dairy, honey, and maple syrup available year-round. Read the Middletown Press article about the search for more farms to participate!

Help Us Grow
The Jonah Center is reaching out to new environmental advocates through social media. We need people in our community who care about trees, rivers, climate change, air quality, and bicycling and walking safety to speak up for our quality of life. Please help us by “liking” the Jonah Center Facebook page and sharing any post with your friends. Thank you.

Thank You, Donors
Our Annual Appeal has been very successful so far this year, thanks to many faithful contributors who give year after year. If you haven’t yet supported our work for 2022, you may donate online here or sent a check to: The Jonah Center, P.O. Box 854, Middletown CT 06457. Your support is very important. Another way to give is by doing your Amazon shopping through strong. The service is identical, but the Jonah Center will receive a small amount for each purchase. Get started with the: Smile portal here.