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 plan on how to do that.”

Cynthia Jennings, who identified herself as an environmental and civil‑rights attorney, said she opposed “the building of or reconstruction of capital area systems using a fossil fuel gasification plant,” warning that Hartford residents already face multiple pollution sources and elevated respiratory illness rates.

Speakers criticized a Department of Administrative Services (DAS) study that recommended continuing to burn natural gas. Multiple commenters said the DAS consultant was not qualified to evaluate renewable alternatives and described the study as flawed. “That consultant issued a flawed study that favors continuing to burn gas at CAS,” Michael Ungaro said, adding that a new study by a qualified contractor should evaluate geothermal and other clean technologies.

Several speakers asked the council to back a resolution urging Governor Ned Lamont and DAS to reconsider the gas plan and to require a new, independent evaluation of zero‑emission options. Mary Sherwin said DAS’s decision appeared short‑sighted if state officials expect to vacate or change building use in the coming decades: investing in new gas equipment now could require replacement again if buildings are retired earlier than expected.

Speakers linked local air pollution to public‑health harms. Dr. Mitchell warned of higher asthma rates and other health effects tied to pollution; Pearl Granite recounted an episode when a child suffered a severe asthma attack and said residents “deserve clean air.” Evelyn Correa, speaking by phone, said she missed school as a child and used inhalers; she told the council, “I don't know whether or not it's, caused my asthma. I don't know whether or not it's caused my autism, but I do know that it definitely impacted my ability to breathe without medicine.”

Several speakers said they had sought meetings with the governor’s office; Michael Ungaro said organizers had “reached out to Governor Lamont, whose office has said that he would be he would meet with us this month.” No final state decision was recorded during public comment.

The public commenters requested that the council consider a formal resolution expressing the city’s preference for zero‑emission alternatives and urging state agencies to commission an independent study that fully evaluates geothermal and other renewables. Commenters also asked that any reconstruction include local hiring provisions if work proceeds.

Council members did not take a formal vote during the public‑comment period; speakers said they would provide the council with electronic copies of suggested resolutions and technical critiques of the DAS study for further review.

Why it matters: The Capital Area System is state owned but located in Hartford, where residents and advocates say long‑standing pollution burdens intersect with high asthma and respiratory‑illness rates. Commenters framed the state reconstruction decision as both a public‑health and environmental‑justice issue and urged the city council to add its voice to calls for a renewable alternative.

Next steps noted by speakers: organizers said they would meet with the governor’s office, provide the council with documents and proposed resolutions, and continue public outreach to keep the decision under local scrutiny.