Sen. Lesser Testifies in Support of Stronger Reporting Guidelines for the Cromwell Compressor Station
CROMWELL, CT – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser testified at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s public hearing on the Cromwell Compressor Station Consent Order. Senator Lesser and Cromwell Mayor Demetriades support the consent order’s provision to prevent the further release of volatile organic compounds using reasonably available technology, and they request the consent order be amended to include more stringent reporting requirements and notification requirements.
“Protecting the clean air, land and water of our constituents is one of the most important charges of public office, and one that Mayor Demetriades and I take very seriously,” said Sen. Lesser. “The current consent order has no reporting requirement and we find that alarming. Leaks from gas pipeline facilities can pose significant harm to the environment and human health. It is important that companies be responsible partners and stewards of the environment and I am hopeful that the parent company, DEEP and town officials can work together to ensure the safety of those living near this site.”
In 2014 and 2016, excessive amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released into the air by a compressor station near the Rocky Hill line. The parent company is paying $190,000 in fines for these violations which occurred within one mile of homes, schools and day care facilities. The company has since installed state of the art emissions control equipment to prevent a recurrence. The consent order can be found here.
Mayor Demetriades and Senator Lesser request the following additions to the consent order:
1. Any time the emissions exceed the levels or violate the air permit, that the Town Manager of the Town of Cromwell and Town Health Director be notified in writing as soon as practicable.
2. The Residents and businesses within a mile radius of the compressor are notified in writing of the violation.
3. That air quality testing devices be installed on the perimeter of the property and monitored by DEEP to provide more frequent air quality measurements and a quarterly report of statistics be furnished by DEEP/Algonquin to the Town Manager of the Town of Cromwell.
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