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Message from the Commissioner
 The Connecticut Department of Environment Protection (CT DEP ) welcomes you to "Your Business and the Environment," a new, electronic newsletter for business leaders and owners in Connecticut.
Why is CT DEP launching a newsletter for the business community? Because you are important partners with us in helping to protect Connecticut's environment and natural resources and in building a prosperous and sustainable economy for our state. As a result, we want to support your efforts to comply with environmental laws and regulations - and to move beyond regulatory requirements to capture the advantages of energy efficiency and going "green."
As a regular reader of "Your Business and the Environment," you will receive updates on new policies, programs, regulations, laws and "success stories," among other topics.
We hope you will subscribe to this quarterly newsletter - if you haven't already - by selecting this link, and we encourage you to share this publication with anyone who may have an interest in its contents. Please email us at dep.communications@ct.gov with your comments and suggestions for future issues.
As the new Commissioner of CT DEP, I am eager to support Connecticut's businesses as we work together to address the challenges of the three "Es" - environment, energy and the economy.
Yours,
Dan Esty | |
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 Deconstruction and Reuse Conference DECON '11 Is Coming to New Haven in May
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Thanks to CT DEP and other sponsors, including the City of New Haven, U.S. EPA and Yale University's Center for Industrial Ecology, DECON '11 is coming to Connecticut on May 15, 2011. DECON '11 is the Building Materials Reuse Association's national conference on deconstruction, building materials reuse, and construction and demolition debris (C&D) recycling. Nationwide, more  community and economic development corporations are discovering the benefits of developing businesses and green jobs around deconstruction and building materials reuse activities. Who should consider attending? Building and demolition contractors, architects and designers, community development businesses, deconstruction and building material reuse centers, and solid waste professionals interested in current trends and regulations. |
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Recycling Business E-Waste | |
 Businesses now have more opportunities to recycle unwanted e-waste, such as computers, printers, monitors and televisions. Here are some options:
- Contact a responsible electronics recycler. If the assets are newer, a recycler may even be able to sell them with a portion of the proceeds coming back to you.
- Bring smaller amounts of older electronics to a participating retailer or return them to the manufacturer.
- Check with your municipality. Some towns may accept electronics from small businesses. Contact the recycling coordinator where your business is located for more information.
- Donate newer electronics to charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army or a school.
Visit CT DEP's E-Waste web page for more information. |
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Greenhouse Gas Permitting Update |
U.S. EPA issued a final rule in 2010 that set thresholds for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stationary sources of air pollution. This final rule dictates when permits are required under the New Source Review (NSR) and Title V Operating Permit programs. Permitting requirements under this rule will apply to the largest GHG emitters (e.g., power plants and refineries).
This January, CT DEP finalized its regulatory amendment to control greenhouse gases. Under this amendment, a source becomes subject to GHG permitting if it has greenhouse gas emissions in excess of 1) 100 tons per year of GHG emissions and 100,000 tons per year of GHG emissions expressed as carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent; or 2) 75,000 tons per year of GHG emissions expressed as CO2 equivalent, in conjunction with emissions of any other regulated air pollutant that is greater than the significant thresholds in CT DEP's air regulations. For more information on GHG permitting, visit CT DEP's website. |
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Air Programs Discussed at Stakeholders Meetings (SIPRAC) |
Representatives from business and industry; federal, state and local governments; community and environmental groups; other interested organizations; and members of the public are invited to attend meetings of the State Implementation Plan Revision Advisory Committee (SIPRAC). SIPRAC is CT DEP's advisory committee on Connecticut's implementation of the Clean Air Act. At the monthly meetings held at CT DEP's Headquarters in Hartford, information is presented on state and federal rule development and emerging air quality issues -- including new requirements that may impact municipal operations or programs that might offer funding for certain actions such as replacement of older and inefficient equipment. For more information, visit the SIPRAC web page or contact Tessa Gutowski. |
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Updated Air Permitting Webpage |
CT DEP has developed a new Air Permitting web page, which provides easy access to the air regulations, air permitting forms and Title V permits. In addition, the web page provides links to information on preparation of an air permit application, including emissions calculation tools, modeling, greenhouse gas permitting, relevant emission factor sources, BACT databases, frequently asked questions and much more. A "What's New" page includes current articles that relate to the world of air permitting in Connecticut. As always, if you have an air permitting-related question, you can contact the Air Permit Engineer of the Day at 860-424-4152. |
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LEAN Team Streamlining New Source Review (NSR) Permitting Process |
 To address the increasing demand for timelier permit decisions and implementation of additional federal standards and permit programs, CT DEP recently held a LEAN Process Improvement event focusing on the Air Bureau's New Source Review (NSR) permitting process. As a result, CT DEP will be making improvements to the process, such as converting the review and approval to an electronic work flow; conducting pre-application activities such as outreach workshops and application review meetings; creating, updating and simplifying application forms; and providing additional technical guidance and information required to fill out those forms. Over the next 12 months, the LEAN team will implement important changes to the NSR permitting process to ensure that permit applications are processed more efficiently. If you have any questions or suggestions on improving the NSR permitting process, please contact Louis Corsino, Air Pollution Control Engineer.
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Pilot Expedited Permitting Process in the Works |
In accordance with Public Act No. 10-158 and the subsequent Permitting Assessment Report, CT DEP is developing a pilot expedited permitting process for wastewater discharges to municipal sewage treatment plants. The pilot program would include 1) a new general permit for metal finishing wastewater discharges; and 2) a comprehensive general permit, which consolidates multiple existing general permits and broadens eligibility for coverage.
CT DEP's proposed Pilot Expedited Permitting Process represents the most significant regulatory changes in pretreatment permitting in the 30 years since the CT DEP was first authorized to implement the National Pretreatment Program in 1981. These changes will reduce processing timeframes to 90 days or less; rely primarily on self-certification and certifications by licensed or certified professionals in lieu of CT DEP review and approval; and employ standardized, environmentally protective standards that alleviate the need for public review and a 30-day comment period on each application for individual permits. CT DEP plans to make its Pilot Expedited Permitting Process available to the public in April. |
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Stormwater General Permit Updates |
A modified General Permit for Discharge of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity was issued on August 13, 2010 and will become effective on October 1, 2011. E-forms to register regulated sites and permit guidance documents are available at www.ct.gov/dep/stormwater. This permit regulates stormwater discharges from various industrial activities. Facilities currently regulated by this permit will be required to re-register by June 1, 2011. Major changes to the permit include: requirements for general activities and 10 sector-specific activities, replacement of target goals with benchmarks and effluent limits for certain sectors, a new public participation process, new monitoring requirements and additional requirements for discharges to impaired waters. Facility Pollution Prevention Plans must be updated to meet new permit requirements at the time of re-registration, although the plans are not required to be submitted with the registration form.
The CT DEP is currently seeking public comment on the renewal (with modifications) of the General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater and Dewatering Wastewater from Construction Activities. This permit regulates stormwater discharges from construction activities that disturb one or more acres of soil. The proposed major modifications include post-construction runoff requirements, an endangered species review, historic preservation process, monitoring for turbidity during construction, guidance on low-impact development measures and additional requirements for discharges to impaired waters. A public hearing has been scheduled for June 23, 2011. Further information including the draft permit and accompanying fact sheet are available for review on the CT DEP's website. |
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Update on U.S. EPA Approval of Water Quality Standards |
The 2011 revisions to CT's Water Quality Standards (WQS) have been completed. The U.S. EPA approved the WQS and they became effective on February 25, 2011. These updated standards will now be used for all applicable programmatic activities. Many permits and regulatory actions are founded on achieving goals and criteria in the WQS. As such, changes to the standards may affect regulatory requirements for municipalities with issuance of new authorizations. The revised standards and a full record of the process are available on the CT WQS 2011 Revisions web page. |
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Green Capitols Project Demonstrates Green Infrastructure |
The State Capitol is showcasing green infrastructure, also known as low-impact development, by retrofitting its grounds, a roof and sidewalks to better deal with stormwater. The Green Capitols project was designed as part of a larger federal, state, municipal, and private partnership to demonstrate techniques which limit the amount of runoff entering sewer collection systems and also improve the quality of stormwater before it gets to a stream or river. Another objective of the Green Capitols project is to encourage municipalities and others to implement these techniques. A brochure is available with more details and can be used to take a self-guided tour of the project. |
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Help Reduce the Spread of Invasive Beetles |
Avoid spreading invasive forest pests, such as Asian Longhorned Beetle or Emerald Ash Borer, by making sure that goods are not shipped or received by your business in infested wood packaging. Insect larvae may be present in wood packing material such as spools, crates and pallets and could end up being shipped to businesses across the U.S. and around the world. These invasive pests can kill large numbers of hardwood trees, including those that are common in Connecticut. Businesses should be familiar with the Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade and the International Plant Protection Convention which govern importation of logs, lumber and other unmanufactured wood articles, including wood packaging material (WPM). WPM must be appropriately treated and marked by an official program developed and overseen by the national plant protection organization in the country of export.
Suspected infestations or sightings of suspicious beetles should be reported immediately to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at 203-974-8474. A digital photo may be e-mailed to CAES.StateEntomologist@ct.gov. |
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Federal Brownfields Tax Incentive | |
A 1997 federal Brownfields Tax Incentive program that had lapsed has recently been extended through December 31, 2011.
Under the Brownfields Tax Incentive, environmental cleanup costs are fully deductible in the year incurred, rather than capitalized and spread over time. The program has been improved several times to remove geographic restriction and to include petroleum cleanup. In order to seek this tax incentive, owners must obtain a letter from CT DEP that confirms that their property meets the definition of a "qualified contaminated site." To learn more about how to obtain this determination, see the CT DEP's Remediation Financial Assistance web page.
For more information on this tax incentive, please see US Environmental Protection Agency's recent guidance - A Guide to Federal Tax Incentives for Brownfields Redevelopment (PDF). |
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Siemon Company Pursues Environmental Sustainability |
A leader in the manufacture and innovation of IT  network cabling solutions, Siemon is also committed to being an environmental leader -- at their corporate headquarters and manufacturing center in Watertown and with their clients all over the world. Siemon's actions cover everything from reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (they installed a 15,600 sq. ft. solar power system at their Watertown facility) to reducing hazardous substances in their products and having a progressive recycling and waste management program. Siemon was awarded CT DEP's Green Circle Award several times for their on-going efforts. The company recently announced that they had achieved carbon negative and almost zero-landfill status in their operations. Visit Siemon's Environmental Initiatives web page for more information, including an overview of their carbon footprint analysis. |
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Compliance Assistance & Education Opportunities | |
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Introduction to the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee |
The Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee (HWAC) was created in 2008 to assist the CT DEP in implementing recommendations and training for the RCRA hazardous waste management program. Other responsibilities of the HWAC are to:
- Continue the open dialogue and constructive information sharing between the Department and regulated community;
- Identify emerging issues and propose solutions;
- Further develop secondary program concerns and conceptual solutions;
- Act as sounding board for implementation activities; and
- Better inform participants of open stakeholder forum meetings.
The CT DEP is seeking broad representation of stakeholders to serve as members of HWAC, and all are welcome to attend the committee meetings, held approximately three times a year. The next meeting will be held on June 23, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Northeast Utilities' offices in Berlin. (Please see their website for directions.) Training for RCRA Small Quantity Generators will be provided.
To stay informed of committee activities, please subscribe to the free DEP-HWAC list serve using the instructions on the State Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee web page. The minutes and materials from previous meetings are also available online for your reference. |
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New E-Learning Tools Available - Small Quantity Generators |
A Small Quantity Generator (SQG) is defined by the amount of hazardous waste produced and accumulated by the generator. Please see the DEP's website to find out if you fall under the SQG conditions.
Below are web pages and guidance documents that are helpful in assisting SQGs to properly manage hazardous wastes and other related waste materials.
· Small Quantity Generator Handbook - Detailed information on how SQGs must manage their hazardous waste, presented in a convenient booklet format.
· SQG Training Materials (Presentation) - Materials used during DEP-sponsored workshop in 2010. |
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EPA's LEAN Toolkit |
Businesses everywhere are using the LEAN process to identify and minimize wastes, and some government organizations, such as the CT DEP, have also adopted this approach. Your business can also use the LEAN process to eliminate environmental waste. Check out the EPA's LEAN Toolkit for more information. |
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