Are you familiar with the services provided by Operation Fuel, a private, nonprofit statewide program that offers emergency energy assistance to low income families and elderly residents?

Connecticut’s economy is seeing significant improvement with jobs being added to the workforce and unemployment at an historic low. According to the state Department of Labor, more than 6,000 jobs were created in June and the Governor reports Connecticut has added more than 12,000 jobs in two months. Private sector employment now stands at more than 111 percent, fully recovering from pre-recession levels.

As Chair of the Public Health Committee and member of the Energy and Technology Committee of the General Assembly, I am happy to support initiatives that advance the goals of Connecticut Green and Healthy Homes to improve health outcomes and energy efficiency through evidence-based housing interventions.

Today, in the early morning hours, I found myself in the middle of the most wrenching situation I've had in my eight years in the Legislature. The end result was important: the landmark energy bill passed the House and will be sent to the Governor for signing. But the path to passage was tortuous, splitting the energy and environmental cause community and leaving the outcome very much in doubt.

I stood with workers from the solar power industry in support of fixes to Senate Bill 9 to assure continuing our successful net metering program which is the cornerstone of our expansion of renewable energy.

It was great to see so many young pro-environment activists working to raise awareness today at the State Capitol for Youth Climate Action Day. I look forward to working with them and seeing their continued advocacy in the months and years to come for a better environment.

We are closing in on the deadline to apply for heating assistance. Don't wait to the last minute. If you are eligible for home heating assistance, this program may help you. The general deadline for applications is May 1, 2018, however, eligible households that are subject to a shut-off notice by a utility for heating bills have an extended deadline of May 15.

We are closing in on the deadline to apply for heating assistance. Don't wait to the last minute. If you are eligible for home heating assistance, this program may help you. The general deadline for applications is May 1, 2018, however, eligible households that are subject to a shut-off notice by a utility for heating bills have an extended deadline of May 15.