Samantha Dynowski, samantha.dynowski@sierraclub.org, 860-916-3639
Alex Amend, alex.amend@sierraclub.org, 404-457-8937
Hartford, C.T.--Today, the Connecticut Siting Council reaffirmed its June 6 approval of another fossil fuel power plant without enforceable limits on its greenhouse gas emissions. The 650 MW gas plant, slated to be built in Killingly, will emit 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, releasing 5 percent of Connecticut's total greenhouse gases. Connecticut’s Global Warming Solution Act statute requires an 80 percent reduction of 2001 level greenhouse gases by 2050. It will be the third large gas plant built in the state since 2018.
Sierra Club Connecticut, along with Connecticut Fund for the Environment and Not Another Power Plant, demonstrated in testimony that the plant is not needed to meet the state’s energy needs, and, without enforceable limits on greenhouse gas emissions, will impede the state from achieving its own mandated energy goals. The Connecticut Department of the Environment previously declined to include enforceable greenhouse gas limits into the plant’s air permit despite a request from the applicant.
In response to today’s decision, Samantha Dynowski, State Director of Sierra Club Connecticut issued the following statement:
“Adding more carbon dioxide-emitting fossil fuel power plants to our energy mix isn’t going to help us meet our climate goals. It’s moving us in the opposite direction. We have shown time and again that this gas plant isn’t needed for energy in the state and will continue to pollute our communities. CT Siting Council’s decision allowing the construction of another fossil fuel plant reveals serious flaws in how decisions are being made about the kind of energy the state wants and needs. We call upon the Governor and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to oppose construction of new fossil fuel generation and turn instead to clean and renewable energy.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.