ah, I had an out of date version of the ubuntu-touch-session package installed. I can reproduce this issue perfectly now.
** Changed in: ubuntu-touch-session (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => Triaged -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1201865 Title: upstart on nexus4 is frequently writing :sys:power_supply-device- changed event messages To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/upstart/+bug/1201865/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs