As a Connecticut College student, the last two-and-a-half years in New London have offered me a unique perspective on the town’s blend of rich history and pressing environmental issues. The seaside town of New London, nestled along the southeastern coast, it is a maritime town grappling with the significant challenges largely stemming from its proximity to military installations and industrial facilities. 

The presence of major facilities like General Dynamics Electric Boat and the Millstone Nuclear Power Station has led to air and water pollution that poses multiple health risks for residents. The Naval Submarine Base New London, established in 1868, includes multiple contaminated areas such as landfills, chemical storage sites, and tank farms, leading to widespread groundwater contamination, the main one being lead.  

As someone from the South Side of Chicago, I see striking similarities in New London, which has historically been home to working-class families, many of whom are Black, Latino, or from an immigrant background. The patterns of environmental injustice are clear; powerful industries and military establishments are often placed in areas with the least political power, causing long-term damage to the environment. 

The history of environmental neglect is particularly evident. Connecticut has 14 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List, with one additional site proposed for entry. The New London Submarine Base is among these Superfund sites, highlighting the severity of contamination in the area. The town’s waters, once teeming with life, are now heavily polluted, putting both marine life and residents at risk. This is a direct result of environmental racism, used to describe the way in which environmental hazards disproportionately affect marginalized communities. 

The change needed in New London is clear: a reassessment of industrial and military placement policies that prioritizes the well-being of all residents. It’s time for an honest conversation about where we place polluting industries, toxic sites, and military facilities. This isn’t just a local issue; it’s part of a broader, nationwide fight for environmental justice. 

Addressing this issue requires the active participation of elected officials, activists, and community groups. Local advocacy efforts, such as those from the Connecticut Committees for Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, have already highlighted the dangers of nuclear power and the risks it poses to local communities. However, there is much more to be done. Politicians and community leaders must listen to the voices of those most affected by these policies and advocates for sustainable development, clean-up initiatives, and protections for vulnerable neighborhoods. What New London needs now is a unified, community-driven movement to raise awareness about environmental racism and the harmful effects of unchecked industrial and military expansion. Public education is key–many residents may not fully understand the connections between the heavy presence of military bases, industrial facilities, and the environmental degradation they face daily. Providing residents with the tools and knowledge to advocate for themselves is crucial.

New London has the potential to become a model for environmental justice. Recent initiatives, such as the $7 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to replace lead service lines, demonstrate the positive change is possible. This funding will enable the replacement of 150 lead service lines and assist in completing a lead service line inventory, part of a broader plan to replace approximately 500 lead pipes within the New London Department of Public Utilities distribution system. 

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “these new pipes will significantly advance New London’s goal of replacing all water service lines, which will give everyone peace of mind that the water coming out of their tap is safe and healthy to drink”. Similarly, the U.S. Senator Chris Murphy highlights, “No one in Connecticut should have to worry about lead poisoning when they turn on the tap”.