Local opposition grows to $272-million Iroquois gas compressor expansion in Connecticut
A proposed $272-million expansion of the Iroquois Gas Transmission System has sparked intense local opposition in Brookfield, Connecticut, highlighting growing tensions between regional energy infrastructure needs and community concerns. The project would add two new compressor units to an existing station, increasing pipeline capacity by about 125 MMcf/d without installing new pipe, but requires final state air quality permits before moving forward.
Local resistance extends beyond typical environmental group opposition and includes bipartisan pushback from residents and elected officials concerned about safety, emissions and quality-of-life impacts. According to the CT Mirror, community members have cited the compressor station’s proximity to homes and a nearby middle school, raising fears about potential air pollution, noise, vibrations and the risk—however small—of a catastrophic incident. Lawn signs and public meetings in the suburban town reflect a broad coalition opposing the project despite the region’s traditional political support for expanded gas infrastructure.
State and local officials argue the expansion may deliver limited direct benefit to Connecticut customers, as much of the added capacity is expected to serve downstream markets in New York. However, pipeline operator Iroquois and some energy analysts contend that increasing overall capacity could improve regional reliability and ease supply constraints across New England, particularly during winter demand peaks when pipelines operate near capacity.
The project remains under regulatory review by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), which is evaluating air quality permits and potential mitigation measures, CT Mirror reported. Residents and local officials have urged regulators to require additional safeguards, including lower-emission compressor technologies, continuous emissions monitoring and enhanced community engagement. A pending lawsuit filed by the town and environmental advocates alleges insufficient public input during the permitting process.
The dispute underscores broader challenges facing natural gas infrastructure development in the Northeast, where supply constraints and high energy costs have driven calls for expanded capacity, even as local opposition continues to delay or reshape major projects. A final decision on the Brookfield compressor expansion is expected later this year.
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