Patrick Skahill
Connecticut Public
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Past articles by Patrick:
Pandemic, efficiency work are helping to make some state buildings greener
State officials say they’re using less water and spending less money on power and gasoline. → Read More
Lamont Postpones Reopening Of Beauty Salons and Barbershops Until June
As the state’s businesses start to reopen this week, barbershops and hair salons will not be among them. Both were initially slated for a May 20 reopening, → Read More
COVID-19 Tests Are Available, Conn. Governor Says, But Not Enough People Are Using Them
After weeks of long lines at COVID-19 testing clinics, state and local officials said Connecticut is now facing a different problem: too many coronavirus → Read More
Connecticut Has Performed 11,000 More COVID-19 Tests Than Previously Reported
The state has changed the way it reports testing for COVID-19, the result of which meant a one-day jump of about 11,000 tests reported to the federal → Read More
Nearly $26 Million In Federal Funds Slated To Support Connecticut Students
The state announced Friday nearly $26 million in federal funds will go toward higher education readiness programs for low-income students. That money will → Read More
For New England Bats, It's Been A Decade Of 'Carnage'
Morgan Bengel stood about 35 feet underground, gesturing at the cold, rocky walls inside Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine. Late 18th-century descriptions of this subterranean penitentiary were bleak. “Some of the words are, hell, a dungeon, woeful mansion,” Bengel said. You’d think this would be the perfect place to find bats. It’s a dark damp cave. But during a bat survey here last winter… → Read More
Connecticut Congresswoman Wants Clarity On PFAS Contamination In American Food
Two members of New England’s congressional delegation are calling for a federal audit of PFAS chemicals in America’s food supply, with an eye toward → Read More
Connecticut Congresswoman Wants Clarity On PFAS Contamination In American Food
Two members of New England’s congressional delegation are calling for a federal audit of PFAS chemicals in America’s food supply, with an eye toward → Read More
Along The Scantic River, Blasts From Connecticut's Gunpowder-Filled Past
At its peak, the “Hazardville” section of Enfield produced thousands of pounds of gunpowder each day. But then, about 100 years ago, the town's industry blew up. “Hazardville” is named for Colonel Augustus G. Hazard, a gunpowder manufacturer who operated dozens of gunpowder production plants powered by the Scantic River in the mid-19th century. Developed during an era of armed conflicts and… → Read More
Public Broadcasters Form New Partnership In Western Mass.
The two big names in public radio and public television in western Massachusetts are joining together. New England Public Radio and WGBY will soon become “New England Public Media.” The partnership reunites two media companies that have a common history. NEPR was started as WFCR in 1961 by the Boston-based WGBH. Ten years later, WGBH launched WGBY to provide public television to the Springfield… → Read More
Public Broadcasters Form New Partnership In Western Mass.
The two big names in public radio and public television in western Massachusetts are joining together. New England Public Radio and WGBY will soon become → Read More
In Connecticut, The Costs And Benefits Of Shared Solar Are Tough To Calculate
Renewable energy projects have been growing across New England in recent years. And while offshore wind and grid-scale solar have gotten lots of the attention -- a smaller, more community-oriented way of getting power has been steadily taking hold: “shared clean energy.” Anthony Gerolomo surveyed a muddy field packed with giant metal frames. He works with CTEC Solar and said those frames will… → Read More
How Do You Measure How Much Carbon Is In A Tree?
The latest national climate assessment says forests play a key role in keeping our air clean. According to the report, America’s forests stored the equivalent of 11 percent of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions over a 25 year period. That’s because when trees breathe they suck up carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and store that leftover carbon in their trunks. But how scientists determine the… → Read More
How Do You Measure The Amount Of Carbon In A Tree?
The latest national climate assessment says forests play a key role in keeping our air clean. According to the report, America’s forests stored the equivalent of 11 percent of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions over a 25 year period. That’s because when trees breathe they suck up carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and store that leftover carbon in their trunks. But how scientists determine the… → Read More
What Secrets Are Hidden Inside The Call Of A Bat?
The fungal disease white-nose syndrome has killed off millions of bats across America. Since it was first identified in 2006, it’s appeared on bats in more than 30 states, including all of New England, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Now, scientists are trying to learn more about the impact of this devastating disease, by listening to the calls of the bats left behind. If a bat flies in a forest and… → Read More
Mattress Recycling Continues To Grow In Connecticut
Old mattresses are bulky and hard to move. They can also be a pain to throw out. But a program aimed at recycling those old mattresses and boxsprings appears to be filling a much-needed void in the state. The Mattress Recycling Council, the group running the state’s recycling program, said in its latest annual report that it collected more than 180,000 mattresses last year. “That equates to… → Read More
Bringing Connecticut's Coastal History To Your Phone
Researchers at UConn are teaming up with local history groups to create a state “Blue Trail.” The idea is to build an interactive outdoor museum on → Read More
Are Carbon Taxes Finally Catching On In Congress?
A Republican member of Congress is introducing a bill he says will patch up crumbling infrastructure, while also fighting climate change. It’s called a carbon tax. The idea centers around putting a price on pollution and funnelling money collected back into roads and bridges across America. The concept is relatively straightforward, make polluters pay to emit harmful carbon dioxide -- and over… → Read More
Connecticut's Tick 'Crisis' Won't Be Going Away Anytime Soon
More and more ticks in Connecticut are testing positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. It’s a trend the head of the state’s tick-testing lab → Read More
Deepwater Wind Wins Bid To Bring Offshore Wind Power To Connecticut
Offshore wind energy got a big boost this week, when Connecticut officials announced the state’s first-ever procurement of the renewable resource. The move is part of larger offshore wind acquisition, which also involves Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Connecticut’s share of the pie is the smallest of the three states at 200 megawatts, but it’s the largest allowed by this bidding cycle, enough… → Read More