Legislative Session: The legislative session is now in full swing; it began on January 6 and will end on June 9. See the bills we are tracking, testimony and more here.

Beyong Gas, Clean Energy, & Climate

• End Gas Expansion: Connecticut policies continue to expand the use of gas at a time when we must be making a transition from fossil fuels to zero-emission technologies.

  • Updating Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency program to end rebates for fossil fuel equipment and appliances. Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency Board is developing its 2022-2024 plan for the next 3 years of the program.  ​

  • Gas Expansion Plan Program Review - Sierra Club and Save the Sound have filed for intervenor status on PURA Docket 13-06-02RE05, Investigation of Connecticut’s Local Distribution Companies Proposed Expansion Plans to Comply with Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy—Program Review.

• TC/ Dominion Expansion: On April 13 at noon, Sierra Club will hold a learning session about the proposals to expand fracked gas compressor stations in Milford and Brookfield. 

• Reforming ISO-NE - Sierra Club and other organizations jointly filed these comments on governance reform of ISO-NE, the regional grid operator.

• Opposition to New Fossil Fuel Power Plants: Sierra Club Connecticut is actively opposing a brand new 650 megawatt fossil fuel power plant in Killingly and 375 megawatts in Middletown. In November 2020, DEEP tentatively approved 375MW fracked gas generation in Middletown. Sierra Club is working with local advocates including the Jonas Center in opposition to the proposal; see fact sheet here. DEEP held a  public hearing on March 3; see recording here, passcode: *9pxd$S0. On March 26, Sierra Club submitted these comments to DEEP, and this press release.

• Waste Reduction: Sierra Club CT is working with allies led by CT Coalition for Environmental Justice to close the MIRA trash incinerator in Hartford and to implement Zero Waste policies. We held an online meeting on March 2 on the topic of diverting organics from the waste stream; see recording here. On March 19, many of our allies testified in favor of modernization of the bottle bill, removing PFAS chemicals from consumer packaging, and of expanding organic waste collection and processing. We are planning another webinar in mid-April.

Ready for 100​

• Local campaigns for 100% clean and renewable energy: Teams in five Connecticut towns (Hartford, Milford, Stamford, West Hartford and Windsor) are actively recruiting supporters to transition their communities to 100% clean and renewable energy. On Tuesday, March 30 Sierra Club co-hosted an event for “Your Town, Our Planet: CT Municipalities & 100% Clean & Renewable Energy” featuring municipal leaders in Connecticut discussing their clean energy progress and future plans. See recording here.

Clean Transportation​

• Electric Vehicle  Policy: Sierra Club is working with allies to advocate for policies that promote EV charging, fleet transition, rebates and more. Steve Lewis authored “The EVs are Coming” in our March newsletter. He outlines how he is working in South Windsor on adopting local ev charging policies. The Sierra Club joined our partners Plug In America, Forth, and the Electrification Coalition to release Version 4.0 of the AchiEVe: Model Policies to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption, the most comprehensive and current toolkit for transportation electrification in the nation. Share with your local elected officials, city/town staff, businesses and legislators.

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. See new video here! Sign the petition to Save Remington Woods here. Donate to the campaign 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, the Travelers became the 30th insurance company to rule out insuring the controversial Adani coal mine in Australia. Insure Our Future tweeted out CT advocate response.

Wildlife​

• Wildlife:  The Wildlife team is building support for SB 925 An Act Prohibiting the Import, Sale and Possession of African Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros and Giraffes. Read more and show your support here.