Beyond Gas, Clean Energy & Climate

• To address climate change Sierra Club Connecticut opposes gas expansion and advocates for deployment of clean energy. Here are some of the areas we are taking action to reduce the use of fossil fuels and accelerate an equitable transition to clean energy:​

  • Climate Justice March: On February 8, Sierra Club joined in with allies to march through the streets of Hartford to call for climate justice. The march included stops at Eversource, Travelers, UCONN, DEEP and the State Capitol. See coverage here.

  • Opposition to New Fossil Fuel Power Plants: Since 2016,  Sierra Club Connecticut has opposed a brand new 650 megawatt fossil fuel power plant in Killingly. After FERC approved ISO-New England’s request to terminate the contract for the plant on January 3, the developer, NTE, sought a stay. On Feb 18, ISO-NE sent a letter to FERC regarding the Emergency Motion of ISO New England Inc. for Dissolution of Stay Order that ISO New England submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The motion indicates that Killingly lost the Capacity Supply Obligations due to failing to cure a financial assurance default. While there are still some decisions to be issued, this indicates that the proposed power plant in Killingly will not move forward. There was also good news from Middletown, where plans for another proposed new 375 megawatt fossil fuel power plant have been scrapped. Thank you to all who have worked so hard to oppose these 2 proposals.

  • DEEP is in the process of updating the Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES), a guide for future energy decisions. Sierra Club is urging DEEP to draft a CES that stops expanding the use of fracked gas and starts decreasing all polluting fossil fuels, electrifies everything, prioritizes equity, and does not recommend false solutions.  We have submitted comments from Sierra Club and from hundreds of Sierra Club members.

  • Ending Connecticut’s Gas Expansion Plan: Sierra Club is advocating for an end to the ratepayer funded gas expansion plan to lay new gas pipelines and convert customers to fracked gas. On January 18, Sherri Billimoria, Manager of RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings Program, provided written testimony on behalf of Sierra Club, Save the Sound, and Conservation Law Foundation. On February 17, the groups filed this brief calling for an end to the gas expansion plan. On the same day, the AG’s office filed this brief agreeing that the program should wind down.

  • Updating Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency program to end rebates for fossil fuel equipment and appliances. Sierra Club is calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, an increase in heat pump incentives and prioritizing equity in the energy efficiency plan. As of February 23, the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has not released a final plan.

  • Air quality monitoring/citizen science: Sierra Club members are engaging in citizen air quality monitoring. Governor Lamont’s Executive Order creates air monitoring in environmental justice communities. In February, Sierra Club wrote letters in support of CCEEJ and RACCE applications for funding to launch air quality monitoring programs in Bridgeport and Waterbury. If you want to monitor your air, or have mad data crunching skills, we are looking for you! Contact Martha.

Zero Waste​​

• Sierra Club CT is working with allies led by CT Coalition for Environmental Justice to oppose trash incineration and to implement Zero Waste policies.  We are working with residents  in Bristol to fight the proposal to burn medical waste in their Covanta trash incinerator. Bristol Residents for Clean Air are proposing a strong clean air ordinance for the City of Bristol.  In Putnam, we are supporting efforts alongside Save the Quiet Corner and other allies to stop the expansion of the existing trash incinerator ash landfill; despite objections, DEEP approved the expansion. The 401 Water Quality permit has been reopened due to additional protections in Clean Water Act. In Hartford, we are monitoring a proposal by MIRA to replace the dying trash incinerator with a transfer station, and to continue incineration for one more year past the end date of July 2022.

Ready for 100​

• Local campaigns for 100% clean and renewable energy: Teams in four Connecticut towns (Hartford, Milford, West Hartford and Windsor) are actively working to transition their communities to 100% clean and renewable energy. On February 22, the Windsor Climate Action team  blocked a new gas HVAC system for a community facility in town! The West Hartford team is working to promote a transition to efficiency and heat pumps in residences through Heat Smart.​

Clean Transportation​

• Electric Vehicle  Policy: Sierra Club is working with allies to advocate for policies that promote EV charging, fleet transition, rebates and more.

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. Although the City of Bridgeport has zoned Remington Woods as RX1 & RX2, we are hopeful that this is not the end of the story. Senator Blumenthal penned a letter to the EPA Administrator as well as the Deputy Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service to see if the woods could be protected as a nature refuge similar to the Stewart McKinney site. See his letter here. Alongside local organizations, we are planning a town hall meeting for members of the community, local leaders to discuss options and what next steps for 2022-2023 look like. Sign the petition to Save Remington Woods here.

Insure Our Future​

• Insure Our Future: 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.  In February it was revealed the Travelers updated its 2020 climate disclosure report to publicly commit to avoid underwriting new risks for the construction or operation of coal-fired plants and for companies that generate a significant portion of their energy production from coal or that generate a significant portion of their revenues from thermal coal mining or tar sands extraction. Here is the IOF press release and analysis of the policy. Coverage here.

Legislative Session​

• The Chapter’s Legislative Committee is in full swing for the 2022 session of the Connecticut General Assembly. Sierra Club’s legislative priorities for 2022 can be found here, as well as more detailed info on Energy, Environment, and Wildlife policy.  Contact Art for more information.

Wildlife​

• Wildlife: The Wildlife Committee is working on passage of its priorities for the legislative session. Reach out to your legislators to protect wildlife.. See more here.​