NO Brookfield Compressor Station Expansion!

Connecticut regulators are deciding whether to issue a permit to double the capacity of the Brookfield compressor station and increase the amount of gas being pushed through the so-called “Iroquois” pipeline that runs through Connecticut and New York.

Brookfield and Fairfield County already have the worst ozone pollution ratings in the Northeast. If this permit gets approved, the expanded compressor station will release even more toxic pollution and climate-destroying emissions, further harming our health and environment.

Submit a comment before the January 15 deadline: Urge the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to deny a permit for the Brookfield compressor station expansion!

Your Message

Commissioner

Katie

Dykes

Connecticut Dept of Energy and Environmental Protection

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I urge you to deny the permit for the Iroquois Gas Transmission System to expand the Brookfield compressor station. The department must also hold a public adjudicatory hearing in addition to the public hearing, and prioritize public health and safety. A public hearing is a formality with no recourse if the concerns raised are not addressed in the final permit.

Fairfield County, including Brookfield, already has the worst ozone pollution in all of New England, and the worst air quality east of Chicago. Adding more pollution to this area should be unthinkable. The EPA has found that your department's plans for meeting national air quality standards are inadequate. If this permit is issued, it would be yet another example of the state's disregard for its legal obligation of pursuing attainment.

Providing a healthy environment is part of your mission. Approving this permit would expose vulnerable populations to even more health-harming pollution. The Brookfield compressor already emits hazardous pollution -- children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing conditions are all at higher health risk from exposure to its dangerous emissions.

If approved, this expansion project will put added pressure on an aging pipeline that was built in blatant disregard for public safety. In the 1990s, Iroquois pled guilty to felonies for violating environmental and safety standards in the construction of the pipeline and was ordered to pay $22 million in criminal and civil fines. While it was ordered to report and correct instances of instability along the pipeline, such disregard of public safety is still cause for concern. Due to the age of the pipeline and the way it was built, it could be susceptible to leaks and ruptures. The strain put on this pipeline from the expansion project could make it more vulnerable to these accidents.

Additional greenhouse gas emissions from the expanded facility would also impede Connecticut’s ability to make the emission reductions required under the Global Warming Solutions Act. Expanding the Brookfield compressor station is incompatible with this law. An expanded compressor station would produce more greenhouse gas emissions from combustion and leak more methane due to the greater gas volume and from blowdowns.

To protect Connecticut residents, and ensure our access to a safe and clean environment, you must deny the permit for the Brookfield compressor station expansion.

Sincerely,
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{user_data~City}, {user_data~State} {user_data~Ghost Zip Code}

Sincerely,
[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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