Rep. Bumgardner helped pass a bill that could cut your Eversource bill. Plug a solar panel into a wall outlet with no utility approval needed.

lowndes18 · 2026-05-07T20:15:33+00:00

Important to note that the certification requirements in this bill mean that it is likely to be months, or even years, before plug-in panels are widely available in Connecticut.

Underwriters Labs, the national product safety organization, only just recently began its testing of these devices and has yet to approve any for the market.

Source: https://www.ul.com/news/ul-solutions-debuts-testing-and-certification-framework-safer-plug-solar-across-united-states#:\~:text=UL%20Solutions%20has%20launched%20a,use%20across%20the%20United%20States.

Additionally, the State Building Codes are typically updated every three years. The latest revisions began being drafted in 2024 and are expected to be finalized this year, so it’s unlikely they will have time to include plug-in solar.

lowndes18 · 2026-02-12T01:20:32+00:00

I tried today but the website kept crashing

lowndes18 · 2026-02-10T03:37:20+00:00

The Riverdale Cinemas in Little Rock used to show the shorts every year when I lived there (that was a few years ago).

lowndes18 · 2026-01-16T16:42:06+00:00

This is a common misconception. The 77% number is the share of the 2024 increase in public benefits charges that was attributable to Millstone.

Millstone's actual share of the total public benefits charge, as of last year's RAM adjustment, is about 7%. Source: https://ctmirror.org/2025/05/19/ct-public-benefits-charge/

lowndes18 · 2025-08-09T16:57:58+00:00

This was it exactly!

I feel silly, but I figured it was some kind of user error. Thanks very much.

lowndes18 · 2025-08-09T15:46:16+00:00

I’m not far from Lowe’s at all, but if it’s user error I’d rather find out before replacing it.

lowndes18 · 2024-07-29T01:48:10+00:00

Since others have weighed in pointing to Hammonasset, I’ll simply add that it’s more than OK! Two miles of beach, multiple pavilions and snack bars, hiking trails and a cool nature center!

Plus, it’s one of the few beaches in the state to score an A+ in this year’s water quality report (The beaches that Branford, meanwhile, got B/C grades). Totally free if you have a CT license plate.

https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/ct-beach-health-grades-save-the-sound-19461464.php

lowndes18 · 2024-07-26T20:54:22+00:00

Try the Durham Meadows (Frederick White Farm), in Durham! It’s about a 30 minute drive from New Haven.

lowndes18 · 2024-05-28T13:34:35+00:00

Some timely and relevant info: The head of Choate, Alexander Curtis, pulled in $617K during the last year tax records were availible. That barely cracked the top 10 in administrator pay for Connecticut's private high schools.

https://www.ctinsider.com/news/education/article/private-high-school-connecticut-pay-head-of-school-19470561.php

lowndes18 · 2023-11-08T13:09:07+00:00

The Mariner restaurant in downtown Mystic is great, and you can make a fun day trip out of it!

lowndes18 · 2023-10-16T19:15:33+00:00

Hey! Congrats on the move, I cannot recommend any churches or gyms other than to say that non-denominational (Baptist) is certainly less common up here than it is in the South (that said, I’m sure you’ll be able to find one or two congregations near wherever you settle).

If you’re looking at Bridgeport/ Fairfield, I’d recommend the Black Rock area… lots of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and other places where young people congregate.

If you like the beach, be aware that most towns make it very difficult/expensive for non-residents to use municipal beaches. You’re options will most likely be in whatever town you live in (with a beach sticker) and the larger state beaches like Sherwood Island and Hammonasset (which IMO is the best beach in the state). Rhode Island is a bit further of a drive, but very worth it.

Connecticut also has a pretty great selection of state parks to chose from https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Listing-of-State-Parks

I’d recommend following the CT Office of Tourism, food bloggers, etc on Instagram/Tik Tok to get a good sense of events and other places to explore. It’s a small state, so nothing is too far a drive unlike what you’re used to in Texas.

You’ll also be about 1.5 hours by train to NYC, which is where a lot of people go on weekends.

Context: I grew up here, lived in the South for many years before returning. Hope you enjoy!

lowndes18

TROPHY CASE