Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
HARTFORD CT. -- Today, community members, climate justice activists and environmental organizations rallied outside the Capitol District Energy Center (CDECCA) in Hartford. The crowd urged Governor Lamont, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Department of Administrative Services to replace the 30 year old CDECCA fossil fuel plant with a 100 percent clean and renewable alternative.
The state of Connecticut purchased CDECCA in September. The plant provides hot, cold and chilled, and steamed water for heating and cooling 18 state-owned and private buildings in Hartford via the Capitol Area System. Soon, the state will need to replace the aging plant and system.
This week, 29 organizations and environmental activists sent a letter to Governor Ned Lamont, DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, and DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman, urging them to lead the way on climate action by ensuring a 100 percent clean and renewable energy replacement at CDECCA. To not do so would go against Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 21-3, which calls for the state to plan to retrofit existing fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems at state buildings to emissions-free systems. A green solution to this aging polluting plant would also help the state achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of the Global Warming Solutions Act.
Hartford is a U.S. “asthma capital” and designated environmental justice community. CDECCA has historically contributed to these designations by polluting the city’s air and endangering public health. Governor Lamont, DEEP, and DAS must lead on climate justice and provide a clean, renewable replacement for the Hartford community.
“CDECCA represents an opportunity for Governor Lamont and local leaders to build on Connecticut’s climate and equity commitments” said Samantha Dynowski, Sierra Club Connecticut State Director. “Connecticut can set an example by replacing CDECCA with clean, renewable energy that makes for healthier communities and cleaner air.”
“District heating is a promising way to repurpose gas infrastructure to decarbonize our buildings,” said Melissa Kops, CT Green Building Council. “The State of Connecticut has an opportunity to renovate CDECCA to demonstrate district renewable heating technologies that can be deployed by other Connecticut campuses and neighborhoods.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.