Residents, selectmen to testify against natural gas compressor expansion

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD ---Residents and elected officials are primed to offer their position on the proposed expansion of the Iroquois Natural Gas compressor station near High Meadow Road to a state agency through a virtual informational hearing and written testimony.

Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn said, “It doesn’t seem fair. There are zero benefits to our residents, yet we would accept all the risk” since the expansion would increase the that amount of gas transported from Connecticut to New York by 125 million cubic feet per day.

Iroquois has proposed adding two gas turbines at the site and modifying two of the existing turbines. The initial facility was first proposed in 2001 and went into operation about 17 years ago.

In an interview, Dunn exclaimed, “We’re not saying, ‘Don’t do this,’ We’re saying, “Do it safely.’ “

The compressor station is in close proximity to a neighborhood and Whisconier Middle School.

A fact sheet presented at the Monday, January 5, Board of Selectmen’s meeting stated, “Compressor stations are highly toxic facilities that burn gas in order to create pressure along interstate pipeline systems.”

The proposed expansion has resulted in organized opposition in town, including a large sign from “Stop The Brookfield Compressor Station” along West Whisconier Road protesting the plan and criticisms delivered during public comment at the monthly Board of Selectmen meetings. Dunn said that he and selectmen Karl Hinger and Bob Belden will be among the people testifying at the informational hearing.

Resident Kerry Swift, who has been a leader in the movement opposing the expansion, thanked the selectmen and state Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding (R-30) for their efforts to address the issue and expressed disappointment that the hearing is only informational. An adjudicatory heading allows for questioning of DEEP and Iroquois. The final decision could be appealed.

DEEP’s denial of an adjudicatory hearing is the subject of an appeal in Connecticut Superior Court.

The gas pipeline runs through Connecticut and across Long Island Sound, sending gas to New York. Six Connecticut municipalities are in its path – New Milford, Brookfield, Newtown, Monroe, Shelton and Milford.

Dunn met with group leaders of the citizens movement last week to coordinate the topics that will be addressed during the virtual session on Thursday, January 8, at 5 p.m. with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Written statements can be submitted to DEEP through Thursday, January 15, at 5 p.m.

He said he has been disappointed with the response from DEEP officials over the recent months to his efforts to provide insight on the proposal.

Dunn commented, “Usually state departments will respond to letters sent to them from mayors and first selectmen and at least acknowledge receipt of the letter. We have gotten nothing from them.”

He added that Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz (D-Middletown) helped arrange two meetings with DEEP’s chief of staff and attorneys.

However, Dunn said, “They are not in a position to make decisions.”

Dunn said that after the written testimony is submitted by January 15, DEEP will render a decision in “the next few months.”

At the selectmen’s meeting this week, resident Marc Moorash asked if the compressor is built, could the town have a testing system on the air quality near the site to establish “some sort of baseline” that could be “of benefit to the people who live near there.”

Dunn said that Iroquois has been a good corporate partner to Brookfield, noting that they have made contributions to the public schools and civic organizations.

However, he added, “We want them to make a profit. But we want them to be more responsive to the needs of Connecticut and Brookfield.”