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Message from the Commissioner
Dear Friends:
DEEP starts the New Year with a firm foundation and an opportunity to make real progress on critical environmental, energy and conservation issues.
To help focus our efforts for this year, we have developed a list of 2012 priorities that I want to share with you. This list is not all inclusive, as there are many other important projects underway in all corners of this agency. It does, however, highlight big picture issues we are looking to address this year.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback, and we look forward to working with you and other municipal officials in 2012. We believe this will be a year in which DEEP begins to demonstrate to our state - and the nation - that a sound and integrated approach to energy and the environment is the clearest path forward to building a sustainable and prosperous economic future.
DEEP's 2012 priorities are as follows....and you can select this link to read about them in more detail:
- DEEP Transformation
- Cheaper, Cleaner, More Reliable Energy
- Stewardship of our State Parks, Forests, and Land
- Cleanup of Contaminated Sites
- Waste Management for the 21st Century
Dan
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Cost of Electricity Coming Down
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Bringing down the rates for electricity to help reduce the cost of living here and to make Connecticut economically competitive is a key goal of DEEP. The final rates set for 2012 by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) for Standard Service residential customers of CL&P will be 1.341 cents kWH less than in 2011. Residential standard service customers of UI will see a reduction of 1.9932 cents kWH. Rates for business users will also be less than in 2011. For more information, go to DEEP's website.
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Cheaper and Cleaner Energy for Connecticut
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Two commercial renewable energy projects were recently selected using a new competitive process designed to help bring cheaper and cleaner energy to Connecticut.
East Lyme Solar Park and Somers Solar Center were selected after a competitive evaluation of 21 projects submitted in response to DEEP's Request for Proposals.
As a result of the selection, the developers of the two projects will have the right to enter into 20-year power purchase agreements with CL&P and UI. Each of the projects is designed to provide five megawatts (MW) of solar energy for the electric grid. The 20-year average cost of the power from the two projects is 22.2 cents per kilowatt hour. The process employed in selecting these projects represents a new approach designed to harness market forces, encourage competition, and leverage private capital to drive costs down for renewable energy. For more information, go to DEEP's website. |
Connecticut Fuel Cell Companies Providing Reliable Power
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Two Connecticut companies -- FuelCell Energy and UTC Power -- are world leaders in the production of reliable power with the use of fuel cells. Both produce stationary fuel cells that provide reliable power to municipalities, businesses and institutions 24 hours a day, with higher efficiency and virtually no pollution. Unlike more traditional power sources that use fossil fuels less efficiently, the by-products from an operating fuel cell are virtually no pollutants, minimal carbon emissions, and heat and water.
FuelCell Energy has over 180 megawatts of power generation capacity installed or in
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Fuel cell at a commercial bakery in Bloomfield.
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backlog, including over 80 installations at more than 50 different locations around the globe. Installations in Connecticut include a commercial bakery in Bloomfield, Central Connecticut State University, a food processor in South Windsor, a commercial customer in Hartford and an order pending installation at the U. S. Navy submarine base in New London.FuelCell Energy employs approximately 500 people in Danbury and Torrington. While many companies were downsizing in 2011, they hired 50 people - mostly for green manufacturing positions in Torrington.
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Fuel cell at Connecticut Science Center.
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UTC Power is a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corporation and has fuel cells installed at more than 300 locations worldwide. Customers include the New Haven schools, Connecticut Science Center, Whole Foods in Glastonbury, Stop & Shop in Torrington, and Coca-Cola in East Hartford. Installations are planned for spring 2012 at the University of Connecticut and at Eastern Connecticut State University. UTC fuel cells are also utilized on hybrid-electrics buses, including the Star Shuttle in Hartford. UTC Power is currently staffed with about 430 people. They continuously seek exceptional talent to advance our technology and maintain Connecticut's leadership in the fuel cell industry. |
Connecticut Municipalities Receive Awards
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Sandra Lucas-Ribeiro and Sheila Baummer, Borough of Naugatuck Public Works Department with DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty.
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Municipalities were recently recognized for their environmental efforts at DEEP's GreenCircle awards ceremony in Hartford. Awards were presented to the Borough of Naugatuck Public Works Department and the Council of Government of the Central Naugatuck Valley in partnership with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and Universal Recycling Technologies for coordinating a voluntary waste collection event before the start of the state's mandatory program. More than 65,700 pounds of home electronic equipment was collected at the free event at Naugatuck High School. The Town of Wallingford's Recycling Committee received an award for sponsoring its First Recycling Art Contest for Wallingford youth civic organizations and youth programs. The contest required all entries be constructed of materials that have been used before and would have been recycled or thrown away.Anthony DaRos, First Selectman for the Town of Branford accepted an award for his critical role in the removal of a 35-foot wooden cabin cruiser that occupied the shallows of the Branford River.
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Municipalities Must Register Radioactive Material and Devices
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Fire departments, police and other municipal departments (i.e., health officials) often
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Lead Paint Analyzer
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have radioactive material and industrial X-ray devices. Per CGS Sec. 22a-148, any person operating any source of industrial ionizing radiation (including gamma rays, x-rays, alpha and beta particles, neutrons, protons, high-speed electrons, and other atomic or nuclear particles), or producing, transporting, storing, possessing, or disposing of radioactive materials must register with DEEP annually. Examples of the types of equipment that are utilized by municipalities include gas detectors, package/bomb detectors, lead paint analyzers. If you have not registered your devices for the period of January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, you must submit your registration now. There is a $200 registration fee and unlike some other DEEP programs, this program's statutory authority does not provide for a reduction in this fee for municipalities. You cannot possess or use unregistered radioactive material and industrial x-ray devices. Failure to register will result in DEEP taking enforcement action. For questions, please contact the Radiation Division at 860-424-3029.
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Using Emergency Generators
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Many towns own and operate emergency generators. Tropical storm Irene and the October Nor'easter have shown us the value of these units, which typically emit high levels of air pollutants relative to the power they produce. Because emergency engines are operated infrequently, the installation of air pollution controls is not always required and may not be economically feasible. If your town owns or operates an emergency generator of approximately 85 kW or larger you must comply with DEEP regulations that limit the hours of operation, fuel usage, and fuel sulfur content. DEEP recommends each municipality refer to the Air Emissions - Distributed Generator and Emergency Engine webpage. Larger emergency generators may also be subject to individual air pollution control permits and may therefore be subject to additional recordkeeping requirements.
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Improving Air Quality by Regulating Single-Ply Roofing Products
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Adhesives, sealants, adhesive primers and sealant primers, primarily those used in industrial settings and architectural trades emit smog forming chemicals (volatile organic compounds or VOCs). DEEP developed regulations to limit the VOC content in a multi-state regional effort with other Northeastern states, product manufacturers and the regulated community through an open and transparent process that included a three-year transitional period. On and after January 1, 2012, only single-ply roof products that meet the following VOC content limits may be used or sold in Connecticut:
Category
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As applied VOC content limit
(g VOC/L)
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Single-ply roof membrane installation
or repair adhesive
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250
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Single-ply roof membrane sealant
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450
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Single-ply roof membrane adhesive primer
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250
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DEEP is committed to ensuring the regulated community is aware of these new requirements and is available to provide assistance to ensure a transition to full compliance. If you have questions concerning these requirements, contact DEEP's Air Management Bureau at 860-424-3436 or by email.
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Snow Disposal Policy
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With winter upon us, DEEP would like remind municipalities to dispose of snow in safe and environmentally responsible way. Last year, Connecticut was one of a number of states that had difficulties managing snow accumulations from bridges, roads and parking areas for the purpose of providing more space for subsequent snow storms and for ease of travel and parking. If snow is moved by truck or with a front-end loader and deposited directly into surface waters (e.g., rivers, wetlands and Long Island Sound), dirt, salt, litter and other debris, which are routinely mixed in the accumulated snow can harm fish and other aquatic life. DEEP's snow disposal policy provides guidance on how to properly manage accumulations by placing them in upland areas, where sand and other debris will remain after snowmelt for later removal.
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Municipal Officials Key to Protecting Aquifers
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Many Connecticut residents rely on the State's aquifers for drinking water, whether their water comes from private wells or public water supply wells. To assist town officials with protecting these aquifers, DEEP recently published Connecticut's Aquifer Protection Area Program Municipal Manual, providing guidance on adopting and regulating aquifer protection areas -- ensuring a plentiful supply of public drinking water for present and future generations.
DEEP put a spotlight on the importance of aquifers at a recent event that featured the presentation of grants and awards and the introduction of the newly published manual. Three municipal officials from received GreenCircle Awards for demonstrating a personal and professional commitment to protecting and preserving the quality of groundwater in our state with their efforts to implement the Aquifer Protection Area Program. The recipients were Alexis Cherichetti, Norwalk's Senior Environmental Officer, Mark DeVoe, Plainville's Director of Planning and Economic Development, and John D. Pagini, Bolton's Director of Community Development.
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General Permit for Application of Pesticides to State's Waters
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DEEP is in the process of issuing a General Permit for Point Source Discharges to Waters of the State from the Application of Pesticides (PGP). Issuance of this general permit is the state's response to a federal court determination that applications of aquatic pesticides as well as incidental discharges of pesticides to waters resulting from overland applications are point sources under the Clean Water Act. The PGP will piggyback on DEEP's existing Pesticide Permitting Program and will not significantly increase the regulatory burden on most pesticide applicators. DEEP has issued a tentative determination to issue and has scheduled a public hearing for March 6, 2012 in response to a petition for hearing.
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Working Across Town Boundaries on Watershed Issues
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The regional Conservation Compact was signed at a riverside ceremony.
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Eight towns that share Natchaug River watershed as a backyard recently signed a regional Conservation Compact to help protect the natural resources of this important 114,000 acre region. The compact is the culmination of a year-long Conservation Area Planning (CAP) process that included a series of three interactive workshops which helped identify ecological targets, target threats, and practical action steps. A steering committee continues to produce useful products for the towns, including an outreach video and a dashboard manual for road construction and maintenance practices. DEEP has been actively involved with these eight towns and facilitated the cross-boundary discussions and actions helped to guide decision making about land use, growth and development issues in the Natchaug River watershed. Among previous steps to protect and encourage public use of the watershed were a designation of unique landscape by The Nature Conservancy in 2000 and greenway designations by the Connecticut Greenways Council. For more information contact Holly Drinkuth at 860-774-9600 x19.
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Update on Wastewater General Permits
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DEEP recently held an informational meeting to discuss the proposed General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewaters from Categorical Industrial Users to a POTW and the modification of the General Permit for Miscellaneous Discharges of Sewer Compatible Wastewater. These general permits are an effort to streamline the permitting process by eliminating the need for certain individual permits. The comment period for these two general permits ends February 9, 2012. For more information, visit DEEP's website.
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All Invited to Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee Meetings
| All stakeholders are invited to attend Connecticut's Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee (HWAC) public forum meetings. This includes representatives from federal, state and local governments, business and industry, community and environmental groups, other interested organizations, and members of the public. Success stories for compliance assurance and a competitive marketplace and updates on implementation activities and training are presented at the meetings, which are held three times per year. RCRA generator training follows one of the public forums at least annually. The next HWAC public forum will be held on February 16, 2012 in the Phoenix Auditorium at DEEP headquarters from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information including signing up to the HWAC listserv, visit the HWAC web page or contact Mark Latham.
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Recreation Departments & Schools Can Sponsor Fishing Courses
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Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE), a program of the DEEP Inland Fisheries Division, introduces Connecticut residents to the wonders of water, fish, and fishing through free and informative courses. With the help of more than 600 CARE Instructors, the program has reached over 150,000 students since its inception in 1986. Certified volunteer instructors pass along fishing knowledge and expertise gained from years of angling experiences. Courses include discussions on where to fish, what bait to use, water safety, and fish ecology. Summer fishing classes are offered at day camps, and CARE lessons are even taught in many school classrooms.
For a schedule of upcoming classes, visit the
Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) webpage.
If you are interested in becoming an instructor or having a course at one of your town's programs, call the CARE Education Center at 860-663-1656. A one-day, new instructor certification training is scheduled for February 2012.
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Guidance for Municipalities Dealing with Tree Damage
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Last October's snowstorm showed the tremendous damage that can occur when a major storm hits before the leaves are off the trees. The damage from this weather event was widespread and, in many cases, severe. Now that the winter season is upon us, it is important to be prepared for another storm that could potentially cause further tree damage. An ice storm can effectively strip a tree of most of its branches, cause large trees to topple and create all sorts of hazards that can make it dangerous for people to be out and about during the storm, or in its aftermath. In addition, there is so much residual damage in the trees from October's storm, any major weather event has the potential to bring down broken limbs or otherwise cause problems. To assist municipalities, homeowners, and forest landowners, DEEP's Forestry Division has a webpage on Ice and Snowstorm Response in Dealing with Tree Damage, which provides information such as avoiding hazards, assessing storm damage and helping your trees recover from storm damage.
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Seeking Proposals for Sunrise State Park
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DEEP is seeking proposals from developers to redevelop, manage, and operate Sunrise
| Riverfront access at
Sunrise State Park. |
State Park (formerly the Sunrise Resort) in East Haddam. DEEP will work with the developer to create a destination location for the Connecticut State Park system offering public access, recreation, and economic opportunity to the state and the nearby communities. The primary objective of redeveloping Sunrise is to make it a destination location for residents and visitors and to restore the park's role as a vital and integral part of East Haddam and the surrounding communities. Although the DEEP has no fixed plan for the park's redevelopment, there are elements that will be strongly preferred. More information on this project, including the complete Request for Proposal document is available on the DEEP website. Proposals should be submitted no later than 4:00 PM on March 16, 2012.
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Brownfield and Site Cleanup News
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On January 10, 2012, DEEP held a public feedback meeting to summarize the evaluation process, and to present the draft conceptual design for a transformed Cleanup Program. The draft vision and conceptual design are described in the Report to the Governor and the Joint Standing Committees on Environment and Commerce on the Comprehensive Evaluation of the Connecticut Cleanup Program and Proposal for Transformation that was released on December 21, 2011.
Public comments are currently being sought on the draft vision and conceptual design described in the above referenced report. Comments, questions, or suggestions can be submitted through the dedicated e-mail.
With the aid of public comments, DEEP will be working to provide more detail on how the transformed Cleanup Program will operate. This new information will be discussed at a future public meeting. The notice for this meeting will be posted on the webpage established for this cleanup transformation. If you subscribe to eAlerts through this webpage, you will be provided notices of future opportunities to participate. Also, stay up-to-date with all happenings that affect cleanup in Connecticut by participating in the Remediation Roundtable. The next Remediation Roundtable meeting will be held at DEEP offices in Hartford on February 14, 2012 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm in the Phoenix Auditorium.
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Green Cleaning Webinar
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DEEP is partnering with the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) on the Healthy Homes Initiative, helping assure that every Connecticut resident lives in a healthy and safe home environment. Staff from DEEP's Office of Pollution Prevention will be participating on a webinar scheduled for March 13th at 12 noon on Green Cleaning in the Home: Breathe Easy While Cleaning Program. The target audience includes local officials such as environmental health field staff and supervisors, housing specialists and public health nurses. To register go to DPH's TRAIN website.
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Help Recognize Connecticut's Top Environmental Volunteers
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Aquarion Water Company is accepting nominations through May 1st for their 2012 Aquarion Environmental Champion Awards. Self-nominations are welcome. Awards will be given to outstanding volunteer projects that have improved and protected Connecticut's natural resources - its air, water, soils, plant and wildlife communities. Winners will be recognized at a special event on June 2, 2012 at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo.
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Like Our New Facebook Page
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Find out what's happening at DEEP by visiting our new Facebook page and liking it. It's an excellent way to see what is going on in Connecticut for all matters concerning energy policy and environmental protection.
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