Hartford residents urge governor, state agencies to rebuild Capital Area System with zero‑emission technology

Hundreds of Hartford residents and environmental advocates told the Hartford City Council during public comment that the state should rebuild the state‑owned Capital Area System (CAS) using zero‑emission technology rather than replacing aging equipment with a methane‑fired plant.

The Capital Area System heats and cools roughly 15 buildings on a central loop, speakers said, including the Legislative Office Building and the Bushnell. Commenters said the facility, long sited near Frog Hollow, has contributed to air pollution in Hartford and that the state’s pending decision should prioritize local public health.

The demand to change course was led by area organizers and environmental advocates. Alicia Jenkins said, “I work for Sierra Club, and I am here to talk about the Capital Area System.” Dr. Mark Mitchell, identifying himself as an environmental justice activist, told the council, “the governor issued executive order 21 dash '3 saying that, all new heating and, cooling systems in state, run buildings will be, 0, emissions by 02/1930. And that the state would come up with a…