Sierra Club Connecticut’s work to stop the expansion of gas pipelines and infrastructure continues. All are invited to join in these efforts. Together, we will stop these proposals. Here’s a look at what happened in April and our plans in May: In early April, Sierra Club activists attended an event in Danbury where Governor Lamont was a featured speaker. It was an opportunity to press the Governor about fossil fuel expansion projects, and demand action. Sydney Collins asked the Governor if he would reverse approval on the Capitol Area System in Hartford (watch the video here!), and others talked to him about both the Capitol Area System and compressor station in Brookfield. 

 

Later in April, the Stop Project Maple Coalition hosted an educational forum in Mansfield, which is along the pipeline route. The event  was attended by about 50 people. 

 

Coalition members also attended a number of Earth Day events where we talked about these expansions and their negative impacts. 

 

Throughout all of these actions, we have been very clear — these projects are deeply harmful to our communities and the planet and Governor Lamont must stand up against them. Join us in sending that message to the Governor and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

 

As we leave Earth month, we are working to continue fighting back against these expansions. On May 17 at 2 p.m., we will gather on bikes at the Bradley Street Bike Co-op in New Haven to ride through the city—visiting fossil fuel facilities, creating community, and discussing what a just transition can look like. It will also give us the opportunity to directly see the infrastructure harming our communities, health, and planet. This ride is organized by Sierra Club Connecticut, the Stop Project Maple Coalition, Sunrise New Haven, and the New Haven Chapter of the Radical Adventure Riders.

 

Now more than ever it is critical to stand up against fossil fuel expansion and build community simultaneously. The bike ride will be a step in that direction, and I hope to see you there!

Sena Wazer is the Sierra Club Connecticut intern and a Yale Environmental Management graduate student.