Dive Brief:

• Connecticut plans to issue a solicitation later this month for renewable power from existing biomass, landfill gas and run-of-river hydropower projects.
• The state wants projects chosen to provide up to 4% of the state's power needs through 10-year contracts with utilities Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating. The state requires 20% of power to come from clean energy sources by 2020.
• Earlier this year, the state contracted for 270 megawatts of power from a solar project in the state and a wind farm in Maine. 

Dive Insight: 

The latest renewables solicitation is part of Connecticut's shift away from a market-based approach to its power needs. The  state is part of ISO New England and has the highest electricity prices in the lower-48 states, according to the Energy Information Administration. A chief reason for the high prices is that the state's transmission and distribution system is in need of upgrades, but local resistance to new power lines has been a persistent problem.