Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
HARTFORD, CT. – The Biden Administration’s decision to pause all approvals of new liquified gas exports, called LNG, could have serious implications for ongoing gas expansion fights in Connecticut. The Department of Energy announced the halt on LNG project approvals on January 26, signaling a positive policy shift after decades of advocacy to stop the buildout of gas exports. During the halt on approvals, the DOE will examine the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, the climate crisis, and energy reliability in communities across the country.
Connecticut is criss-crossed by three major interstate fracked-gas pipelines. The fossil fuel industry is currently trying to expand two of these pipelines through Enbridge's region-spanning Project Maple and Berkshire Hathaway and TC Energy’s Expansion by Compression (ExC) project. In addition to stalling climate goals and serving no clear demand need, the proposed expansion of these two pipeline systems is especially alarming given the industry’s past efforts to connect these systems to LNG export terminals previously proposed in Nova Scotia.
Below is more of what we know so far about these expansion efforts.
Project Maple
Released in September, the Enbridge proposal seeks to expand an existing, already twice-expanded, pipeline that runs through New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. Although details are limited, the initial notice suggests that the project will include expanding existing pipes, constructing a secondary pipeline along portions of the current route, adding LNG storage facilities, expanding compressor stations, and installing pipelines along new easements.
While Enbridge’s proposal indicates that the added gas power will be used for electric power generation in Massachusetts, its final destination, usage, and need are all unclear.
Read Letter from 90+ Groups to Northeast Governors Opposing Project Maple.
Expansion by Compression (ExC)
In the case of the Expansion by Compression project, called ExC, Berkshire Hathaway and TC Energy are seeking to expand four compressor stations in New York and Connecticut along an existing pipeline. One of the compressor stations, in Brookfield CT, is 1,900 yards from a local middle school. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is currently reviewing an air permit for the proposed expansion of the Brookfield compressor station. Residents and advocates are urging DEEP to reject the permit, and invest in air monitoring in Brookfield to understand the true impacts of the facility.
In response to the DOE’s LNG announcement, Sierra Club Northeast Field Organizer Nick Katkevich released the following statement.
“The federal pause on LNG export approvals is a positive, welcome step toward prioritizing protections for local communities and affordability for energy consumers.
Any attempt by fossil fuel corporations to expand fracked-gas infrastructure in order to bring gas to LNG export terminals is not in the public interest. We call on Governor Lamont to oppose the Project Maple proposal, reject the air permit for the proposed compressor station expansion in Brookfield, and travel to Brookfield to meet with directly impacted residents. We will continue to advocate for the end of gas build-out, from pipeline to export, in Connecticut and across the Northeast.”
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.