Climate & Clean Energy

 

Pipeline opposition: Methane is dangerous for climate and health (see our new informational booklet here), and Sierra Club is working to stop new and prolonged fracked gas use. Sierra Club is helping to organize opposition to Enbridge’s Project Maple, a proposal to expand Enbridge’s pipeline in Connecticut. In August, the Stop Project Maple team produced two new informational flyers: Stop Project Maple Fact Sheet and Who is Enbridge? On September 23, the concerns about Project Maple were cited in a story from CT News Service on offshore wind. On September 24, Stop Project Maple hosted a rally and delivered a letter to Gov. Lamont and Commissioner Katie Dykes. The event was covered by Hartford Courant, Public News Service and Fox 61. Sierra Club is also working with local residents to stop the expansion of the Brookfield Compressor Station.  On August 5, Sierra Club released a study on the health risks of the compressor station in Brookfield. The News Times reported on the health study on September 8. On September 23, the study authors presented their findings at a meeting in Brookfield. In Windham, the Town Council is considering an ordinance to transition away from fossil fuels in new buildings and major retrofits. Sierra Club submitted these comments in support. On October 14, the Connecticut Public News Service published a story about Brookfield compressor station community concerns and Sierra Club study about the health impacts of the facility.

 

Energy efficiency: Sierra Club has led the effort to end rebates for fossil fuel equipment and appliances in the state’s energy efficiency program. On September 4, we submitted these comments on the second draft of the 2025-2027 plan for the state’s energy efficiency program. Additionally, we submitted comments from 101 Sierra Club members and supporters to end fossil fuel incentives in the program.

 

Capitol Area System: Sierra Club is working with community and statewide partners to replace Hartford's Capitol Area System with a 100% renewable alternative.  Learn more and add your name urging Gov. Lamont to commit to a 100% renewable replacement for the fossil gas energy plant and buildings it serves. In June, DAS released a decarbonization study which includes a fossil fuel option. Sierra Club Capitol Area System team held a meeting with Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam on August 1, and team member Quanishe Flippen published this op-ed in the Hartford Courant on September 6. In October, Sierra Club and allies participated in a Department of Administrative Services meeting to advocate for a detailed study of the Capitol Area System fossil-free options. On October 25, Sierra Club delivered a letter from dozens of organizations to Governor Lamont recommending next steps for the Capitol Area System.

 

Wind, Solar and Clean Heat: Our Chapter has a vision for offshore wind and solar to bring low-cost energy to our state and to heat  homes, businesses, schools and nonprofits in Connecticut with heat pumps instead of fossil fuels. On August 7, Chapter Director Sam Dynowski authored this op-ed on offshore wind in CT Mirror. On September 23, the Sierra Club report about the benefits of offshore wind was cited and Samantha Dynowski quoted in this CT News Service story on offshore wind. In October, Sierra Club began to run ads highlighting the economic benefits of offshore wind, and on October 16, Melissa Whited of Synapse Energy Economics and author of this study commissioned by the Sierra Club published this op-ed in CT Mirror on offshore wind’s consumer benefits.

 

The Inflation Reduction Act:  is the largest investment in our climate and clean energy in US history. It includes more than 100 programs that will invest about $370 billion in climate action, clean energy jobs, and environmental justice. Sierra Club’s Steve Lewis is presenting to groups around the state about the benefits of efficient zero-emission technologies,  his personal experiences with energy efficiency, solar panels, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and  about the rebates and tax credits available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Interested in a presentation in your community? Contact us at connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org.

 

Zero Waste

Sierra Club Connecticut is working with allies led by CT Coalition for Environmental Justice to oppose trash incineration and to implement Zero Waste policies. A new proposal for a recycling center and waste incinerator in North Haven has brought community members and municipal officials out to question the plan. September update: the North Haven plant is on hold. Sierra Club Connecticut and the Zero Waste Coalition are following developments and attending public meetings. CT DEEP issued a permit for Reworld in Bristol to import and burn medical waste. On August 5, Sierra Club Connecticut submitted these comments opposing the permits. A public hearing will take place on November 7. See more here. 

 

Clean Transportation

Sierra Club is working with allies to advocate for policies that promote car-free transportation, electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging, fleet transition, and more. Sierra Club Connecticut participated in CCSU’s National Drive Electric Week on October 3, and staff and volunteers helped to plan the Old Saybrook and West Hartford events.

 

Land & Water

Remington Woods: Sierra Club Connecticut’s Save Remington Woods campaign aims to protect Remington Woods from development and to be preserved in its entirety. Remington Woods is a 422 acre forest in Bridgeport and Stratford. Follow news from the campaign Save Remington Woods on Facebook.  On October 9, the owners of Remington Woods will host a tour and meeting. Read more here.  On October 21, we presented about Remington Woods to the Gardeners of Simsbury. The Remington Woods team is seeking members for our Conservation Committee, if you are interested in working with other Sierra Club members passionate about conserving land and open space, please contact remington.woods@sierraclub.org.

 

Toxics

PFAS: Stories about PFAs chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are appearing regularly in the news. PFAs are being found in our water, food and more. PFAs have the grave potential to detrimentally impact human health. 

 

Wildlife

Wildlife: The Wildlife Committee is working to protect wildlife in our state through education and policy change, including bear education, and raising awareness of the dangers of mowing hayfields on the local grassland bird population, including the Bobolink. In September, Wildlife Committee Chair Tanya Bourgoin presented on grasslands bird protection and neonics  to the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut.

 

Fossil Free Finance

Insure Our Future: Banks, Asset Managers, and Insurance companies are all implicated in financing the fossil fuel industry. Here in Connecticut, Sierra Club is partnering with CCAG and the Insure Our Future campaign to urge the Connecticut insurance industry to stop investing in and underwriting fossil fuels.  

 

Legislative Session

The 2025 legislative session will start on January 8, 2025.  See our recap of the 2024 session here. Interested in getting more involved in our legislative committee?  Contact Steve Lewis, Legislative Committee Chair, for more information.