On Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, about 20 bikers will ride 100 miles across Connecticut to protest the expansion of fossil fuels. Along the way, we will highlight fossil fuel infrastructure currently at threat of expansion and its impacts on our health, climate, and environment.

 

The goal of this ride is to bring people together from across Connecticut to speak out against fossil fuel expansion and support a cleaner, healthier future. I’d love to invite you to join us for one (or more!) of the community events along the route:

 

Saturday, May 30, 8:30 a.m. – Brookfield kickoff:

Riders will start in Brookfield, where we’ll join community members to highlight the local compressor station currently at threat of expansion. 

 

In February, DEEP hosted a public hearing, and since then community members have continued to pressure Governor Lamont to oppose this expansion, while we await DEEP’s final decision on the air permit. This included residents sending 50 certified letters to Governor Lamont’s office, asking him to oppose this decision and stand with Brookfield residents. A meeting between Governor Lamont and First Selectman Steve Dunn was covered by the CT Mirror. Most recently, DEEP requested additional time to issue their permit decision, and we now expect a decision on May 15. At the ride launch, community members will speak to the impact of this compressor station on their health and wellbeing, and why it must not move forward. 

 

We will also highlight the proposed Constitution pipeline, which would be a 125 mile pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York, and was previously proposed and defeated but has been reconstructed under the Trump Administration. Shortly after the Constitution pipeline was proposed, the company which owns the Brookfield Compressor Station filed for an interconnection project, which would connect the Constitution pipeline with the pipeline that flows to Brookfield. As such, we are concerned about the impact of the Constitution pipeline on Brookfield, Connecticut, and New England. More gas means more pollution, higher prices, and more health and climate impacts. 

 

Saturday, May 30, 3:00 p.m. – Middletown art event:

In Middletown, we will highlight the proposed Eversource gas pipeline under the Connecticut River, which would impact state parks in Middletown, East Hampton, and Higganum. We are concerned about the impacts of this pipeline on our health, climate, environment, and utility bills. This event will include mural painting and origami folding to show our love for the Connecticut River, as well as information about the proposed expansion. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Description: April 11 pipeline walk in Hurd Park, which would be impacted by this expansion. 

 

Sunday, May 31, 2:00 p.m. – Mansfield closing rally:

The ride will close with a rally in Mansfield, where we will talk about the Enbridge pipeline that runs across Connecticut, including through Mansfield, and is being expanded regionally. 

 

We hope that you will join us for one or more of our community events! Stay tuned on our social media for introductions to the riders and follow along during the ride (Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram).

 

Sena Wazer is Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator at Sierra Club Connecticut.