Briefings
What changed in environmental, land-use and permitting rules for development in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania: what happened, who is affected and the next date that matters.
- MediumWindham County, CT
Connecticut Siting Council keeps Plainfield waste-to-energy petition on declaratory-ruling track; hearing October 22
The Council declined on October 1, 2026 to convert the 45-megawatt Plainfield petition into a full certificate case. The declaratory-ruling proceeding continues, with a remote hearing on October 22, 2026 and a decision deadline stated as August 2, 2027.
- MediumConnecticut
Connecticut bars leases that bill tenants for utilities their own unit meter does not measure
From October 1, 2026, Connecticut leases signed or renewed cannot make tenants pay utility charges unless a separate meter measures their unit's own use; such terms are unenforceable.
FinalHousingEnergy & grid - HighConnecticut
Connecticut bars state solar approvals in towns above set land-area shares until July 2027
A temporary bar on Siting Council solar approvals in certain towns runs to July 1, 2027, and new emergency-contact and incident-reporting duties for generating facilities start October 1, 2026.
- MediumFairfield County, CT
Connecticut grants contested hearing on Brookfield gas compressor expansion before air permits issue, groups report
State environmental regulators have granted a trial-type hearing on air permits for two new gas turbines at the Iroquois pipeline's Brookfield station, according to Save the Sound; no date is set.
ProposedAir & climateEnergy & grid - LowConnecticut
Connecticut picks 63.4 MW of out-of-state solar in regional buy; energy strategy comments due October 16
DEEP and its New England partners announced 102.4 MW of solar selections on September 24, 2026, of which 63.4 MW are Connecticut's, all outside Connecticut, with delivery required by the end of 2032. Nuclear proposals are still under review. Written comments on the next Comprehensive Energy Strategy are due October 16, 2026.
ProposedEnergy & grid - LowConnecticut
Connecticut nuclear bids still undecided as state prepares town opt-in host program and site grants
On September 24, 2026 DEEP said it is still evaluating nuclear proposals in its zero-carbon procurement. A 2025 law lets towns opt in to host advanced reactors and funds site readiness grants; two 2026 data-center bills were not taken up before the session ended on May 6.
ProposedEnergy & gridTaxes & incentives - MediumConnecticut
Connecticut approves Ellington orchard solar as farm agency says it cannot review non-prime soils
The Siting Council approved a 4.99-megawatt array on an orchard with soils of statewide importance, which fall outside the agriculture department's review, and applied the 2026 emergency-contact rule.
- MediumWindham County, CT
Connecticut Siting Council closes record on 50-megawatt Sterling-Plainfield solar plan; decision due by February 2027
Docket 550, a 50-megawatt solar project on nine parcels in Sterling and Plainfield, closed its evidentiary record on August 11, 2026. About 43 to 45 acres of core forest would be cleared, the main contested point. The Council's final decision deadline, extended with the applicant's consent, is February 17, 2027.
- MediumHartford County, CT
Connecticut weighs Eversource's rebuild of 10.7 miles of power lines; comments due October 10
Petition 1720, filed September 8, 2026, asks the Siting Council to rule that Eversource's Southington to Berlin to Black Rock rebuild, estimated at $204 million, needs no certificate. It would replace 140 structures with 177, with taller poles. The schedule lists October 10, 2026 for comments and party requests.
ProposedEnergy & grid - MediumHartford County, CT
Connecticut Siting Council bars early site work on battery storage, approves Manchester project
On July 2, 2026 the Council refused to let a 3.4-megawatt Manchester battery developer pour a pad before its ruling, citing state law; the decision is due by December 7. On September 4, 2026 it approved a 300-kilowatt library battery with a sound wall and fire conditions.
FinalEnergy & grid - MediumNew London County, CT
Connecticut Siting Council takes East Lyme solar farm to enforcement hearing over inverter swap and sale
State siting regulators will hear evidence on November 5 on whether the owner of a 5-megawatt East Lyme solar facility broke its approval by replacing equipment and changing hands without notice.
FinalEnergy & grid - MediumConnecticut
Connecticut approves Simsbury golf-course solar on prime farmland soils after developer pledges beekeeping and crops
The Siting Council approved a 4.65-megawatt array on a former golf course after the agriculture department relied on planned farming, and required a bond to restore the prime soils.
- MediumConnecticut
Federal: Proposed air permit rule would let some non-emitting site work start before the permit issues
EPA's May 13, 2026 proposal would redefine when construction begins under New Source Review so that foundations, utility service and similar non-emitting work could proceed before a permit. Comments closed June 29, 2026. It is not in force.
ProposedAir & climateEnergy & grid