Campaign Highlights
May 2023
Beyond Gas, Clean Energy & Climate
Greenhouse gas emissions: On April 20, Sierra Club joined members of the CT Climate Coalition in a press statement reacting to CT’s latest greenhouse gas inventory. DEEP asserts that the state has met its relatively modest 2020 greenhouse gas reduction target set in the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act, due in part to COVID-19 impacts and changes to the methodology of the report, rather than actions.
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. On April 5, the CT Mirror published this op-ed from Peter Millman, “It’s more than an opportunity to decarbonize 15 Hartford buildings all at once,” recommending the state lead by example by transitioning to a networked geothermal system for the Capitol Area System. Contact Alycia for more information.
Compressor stations: The giant fossil fuel corporation Berkshire Hathaway Energy and TC Inc. (BHETC) is proposing to drastically increase the amount of gas it pushes through its 414 -mile long "Iroquois" fracked gas pipeline by expanding compressor stations in Connecticut and New York. The expansion applications are now before Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. On March 16, Sierra Club hosted a teach-in to share information, hear from NY and MA activists about their compressor station fights, and discuss the proposal with local activists. See presentation slides here.
Air quality monitoring/citizen science: Since May 2021, Sierra Club members have been learning about air monitoring in Connecticut and have analyzed data from various sources. The team is now working on a paper on the topic, Stay tuned! For more information contact Martha.
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. A draft CES is expected to be released for public comment soon.
Tweed Airport expansion: Shoreline residents have formed Save Our Shoreline in response to the proposed expansion of Tweed airport, and are leading efforts to oppose the expansion, read more here. On April 20, Sierra Club sent these comments to Tweed urging an Environmental Impact Statement be prepared to provide a public and transparent analysis of the environmental impacts of the proposed expansion including inland and tidal wetland impacts; stormwater flooding, sea-level rise, and other floodplain and resilience issues; disruption of local and migratory wildlife habitat; compromised water quality due to increased traffic and discharges; increased greenhouse gas emissions; and the effects of emissions, traffic, and noise on the local communities.
Photo: Tweed Airport and surrounding area from 14,000 ft.
Photo credit: Rudi Riet
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. On April 25, Sierra Club and the CT Coalition for Economic and Environmental Justice joined in these comments calling for states (including Connecticut) to end exemptions for incinerators for excess emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction. The comments include powerful Connecticut community member stories thanks to the CT Coalition for Economic and Environmental Justice. Also on April 25, Sierra Club and the Zero Waste Coalition hosted a webinar on Zero Waste proposals in the 2023 legislature.
Local Teams
The West Hartford team is planning activities throughout 2023 to educate and mobilize the community around pollinator pathways, e-bikes, electric lawn equipment, solar canopies and more; read 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. On April 13, Sierra Club joined in this press statement on Save the Sound’s Connecticut Electric Vehicle Policy Impact Study. The study shows significant economic benefits for Connecticut, along with public health, climate benefits, that will come with adoption of clean vehicle regulations. In May, the EPA will hold hearings on proposed rules for clean trucks and clean cars. These are a step in the right direction, but should be stronger to protect public health. To sign up or for more information, follow these links:
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EPA heavy-duty trucks hearing - May 2nd and 3rd and the 4th if needed (toolkit for preparing your testimony)
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EPA light-duty vehicle hearing - May 9th and 10th and the 11th if needed (toolkit for preparing your testimony)
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. Sign the petition to Save Remington Woods here. Are you following Save Remington Woods on Facebook? Visit and see our latest posts.
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. On April 20, the CT Post published this op-ed co-authored by Sierra Club’s Ann Gadwah and CTLCV’s Lori Brown about legislative proposals on wildlife.
Insure Our Future
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. Though 12 global insurers now restrict underwriting conventional oil and gas projects and/or companies, the Travelers insurance company opposes shareholder resolutions to adopt similar climate policies. Join us for a rally outside the Travelers annual shareholder meeting in Hartford on May 24. If you are a Travelers shareholder, please let us know!
Legislative Session
The 2023 session began on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, and your Sierra Club was at the Capitol to share information on our priorities for 2023. The Legislative Committee has met with dozens of legislators for briefings on the priorities. See priorities and bills we are tracking here. The Committee meets every Monday at 7 pm. Contact Art Helmus, Legislative Chair, for more information.