Rep. Foncello Urges DEEP To Reject Iroquois Compressor Expansion

State Representative Martin Foncello wrote a letter to state Department of Energy and Environmental Department Commissioner Katie Dykes, urging her agency to reject the applications from Iroquois Gas Transmission System  to expand the compressor site in Brookfield. Last year, he wrote an op-ed in CT Post urging rejection as well.

“I’m concerned citizens over the proposed pending permit, which has been an ongoing issue of great concern to our town since it was forced upon us without us having a say in the matter,” said Rep. Foncello. “If this permit is to be approved, I respectfully requested that the town’s three primary recommendations are implemented by Iroquois Gas which will not only help protect the environment and our residents but will also safeguard our middle school students who attend school just 1800 feet from the facility.”

The three recommendations are:

1. Require, before the plant is enlarged, that Iroquois hire an independent air testing firm to determine ambient air quality from the two existing Iroquois compressors at the current site to ensure, without question, that the facility is operating and meeting all air quality standards of the federal government and the Sate of CT. Today, only stack testing is performed, but no ambient air quality testing. We would ask that the permit require independent annual testing be conducted after construction is completed to ensure the plant continues to meet all air quality standards.

2. Require that, under Best Available Control Technology (BACT) and Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) guidance, that Electric Motor Drives be required instead of the proposed gas turbines, regardless of additional associated costs. The health of our children and residents outweighs economic savings by Iroquois.

3. Require that there be safety and security controls implemented which include but are not limited to: adequate security fencing, on-site personnel, earthen barriers between the site and Whisconier Middle School, earthen barriers to protect nearby residences, and additional technology and monitoring to reduce and minimize air pollution and protect residents from potential catastrophic events including an emergency alarm system for the public.