Natural gas wrong for state’s power future

Connecticut public policy has moved quickly in a direction against fossil fuels and toward renewable energy. Goals which might have seemed far-fetched in the recent past — a zero-emissions target for the power grid by 2040, for instance — suddenly seem attainable, with advocates stressing that such moves only begin to move the state in the right direction.

But as this change has been underway, Connecticut has been on something of a binge in building natural-gas-fired power plants that produce hundreds of megawatts of energy for the regional grid. Recent years have seen the opening of new plants in Oxford and Bridgeport, facilities that were sold as providing a cleaner power source than the oil- and coal-burning facilities as they retire around New England.

Those positive feelings around natural gas have almost completely disappeared.

Though natural gas can have benefits over other fossil fuels in terms of emissions, the overall impact on the environment can be as bad or worse. From the hydraulic fracturing that is required to pry the gas out from underground to the leaking methane along its journey to a power plant, natural gas can contribute as much or more to climate change as other sources that have a reputation for being much dirtier.

It will go down as one of the great shortcomings of the administration of former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy that he pushed a widespread transition to natural gas across the state for home heating and other uses. Though gas was cheaper at the time he promoted his policies, the overall benefits were scant, and had the effect of setting Connecticut back in its efforts to slow climate change.

Though the natural-gas push has slowed, the problem hasn’t gone away. Yet another natural-gas-fired plant, this one in Killingly, is far along the approvals process and is being promoted by a variety of interests. Even as Connecticut moves ahead with large-scale windpower projects and expanded solar, the Killingly power plant moves closer to fruition, working against Connecticut’s stated interests.

It’s worth wondering why protesters are having an impact in slowing the Killingly plant when there was nothing as effective in hampering the Oxford and Bridgeport facilities. It could be that opponents have become better organized, but it’s just as likely that a different administration in Hartford is more attuned to public protests and more amenable to changing direction.

Whatever the reason, the state needs to listen to the opposition and put a stop to the Killingly plant. It’s not necessary, it’s bad for the environment and it would set the state back at a time when it is otherwise making real progress in slowing emissions.

There are wider environmental goals at stake in the current legislative session, including on transportation, recycling and toxic chemicals. All are worthy of consideration. But high on the list of priorities is to stop causing harm, and that means no more gas-fired power plants. It’s too late to stop the recently completed facilities, but the state can still head off the Killingly plant. It needs to do just that.

The Killingly plant is not necessary, it’s bad for the environment and it would set the state back at a time when it is making real progress in slowing emissions.