Lamont Meets Brookfield First Selectman on Iroquois Pipeline Project

The article covers Governor Ned Lamont’s meeting with Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn. They talked about the Iroquois pipeline upgrade called “Enhancement by Compression,” a plan to add two gas-fired compressors and boost capacity by 125 million cubic feet per day.

Local officials and environmental groups worry the proposal could make Connecticut’s air quality worse. Supporters argue the upgrade would help keep households and power plants running reliably across the state.

Find Your Ideal Getaway in Connecticut
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) hasn’t made a final permit decision yet. They issued draft approvals last summer and delayed a final call to look over public comments.

Lamont seems open to an electric-compressor alternative. He suggested air tests to reassure Brookfield residents, but he didn’t tell DEEP how to decide.

Lamont meeting highlights the push-pull over gas-fired vs electric compression

This meeting really showed off the bigger debate—how do you balance energy reliability with cleaner air in places like Brookfield, Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford? Dunn saw the governor’s comments as a sign he’d consider alternatives, while Lamont’s office leaned toward using the best technology and keeping the review process transparent.

Brookfield and towns like Greenwich and Milford have pushed hard for a closer look at the project’s environmental impact. Lamont’s outreach felt like an effort to keep things positive and show he’s open to ideas that cut emissions.

Project scope, cost, and permitting status

The basic plan adds two gas-fired compressors to the Iroquois pipeline. That would raise capacity by about 125 million cubic feet per day.

Iroquois says the upgrade would make gas supplies more reliable for Connecticut homes and power plants, with the route running from upstate New York through Connecticut and under Long Island Sound to New York City.

Two gas-fired compressors to boost daily capacity by about 125 MMcf/d.
Route runs from upstate New York through Connecticut and under Long Island Sound to New York City.
Estimated cost around $272 million for the gas-fired option; a switch to electric compressors would add roughly $45–$50 million to the project.
Permitting process active at DEEP, with draft approvals issued last July and a final decision delayed to allow review of public comments.

Connecticut officials believe the upgrade could help keep gas flowing steadily in cities like New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford. Critics, though, say it might just lock in fossil-fuel use for places like Waterbury and Bristol.

Environmental concerns and community response

Environmental groups warn that more gas-fired capacity would worsen air pollution in an area already struggling with federal air-quality standards. They also worry the project signals Connecticut isn’t ready to let go of fossil fuels, especially in communities along the pipeline corridor.

On the other side, supporters say the upgrade would make outages less likely and help keep power steady during peak demand. Residents in Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Greenwich have spoken up at public meetings and in letters, asking for a thorough air-quality review and a clear look at health impacts in neighborhoods like Bridgeport, Waterbury, and New Haven.

Governor’s stance and the electric alternative

Governor Lamont praised Dunn’s push for an alternative but didn’t step in on the DEEP permit. A spokesperson said Lamont wants to use the best technology available and even suggested an air-quality test as a goodwill gesture for Brookfield.

Iroquois claims electric compressors would drive up costs a lot, maybe enough to change the project’s financial picture. The administration seems to want technology that cuts emissions and protects public health, but they’re also weighing the costs of upgrading energy infrastructure for towns like Danbury and Milford.

Protests and the road ahead

Protests have ramped up, with nine people arrested in November after a sit-in at Lamont’s Hartford office. They wanted the permits rejected.

As DEEP reviews testimony and technical reports, towns across Connecticut—New Britain, Middletown, Bridgeport, Old Saybrook, and Groton among them—are watching. The decision could shape energy and environmental policy for years, and honestly, who knows which way it’ll go?

What residents should know moving forward

CT residents should keep an eye on DEEP’s final decision and any permit conditions, especially those from Brookfield and nearby towns like Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven, Hartford, and Greenwich.

Community briefings, air-quality tests, and public comment periods will help decide whether an electric-compressor pathway becomes a core part of the Iroquois project—or if the gas-fired plan sticks around as is.

Honestly, it’s worth paying attention as DEEP wraps up its review and political leaders try to balance energy reliability with environmental and health concerns across Connecticut.

Here is the source article for this story: Lamont meets with Brookfield first selectman about Iroquois project

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now