DEEP is coordinating a Summit Series to further explore the challenges and opportunities of managing our trash in Connecticut. In March, DEEP held the first Summit, Unlocking the Value: Transforming the Connecticut Materials Economy. Over 170 municipal and business leaders,economic development professionals, and solid waste and recycling industry professionals were present. The discussion focused on how to transform the way waste and recyclables are managed and to identify mechanisms to increase market development and the processing and manufacturing of recyclables.

Connecticut's recycling rate has plateaued at 30%, far short of the 58% goal in the Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan. Meanwhile, components of the waste stream have increasing value for reuse and recycling. The time is right for a fresh look at how we handle trash in our state. Earlier this year, DEEP Commissioner Esty held a Roundtable dialogue to discuss economic opportunities, in Connecticut and the region. The conversation among state commissioners and leaders in industry, industrial ecology, and economics was to focus on next steps that must be taken to transform waste and materials management in the northeast region.  For more information or to be added to e-list to learn of additional events and activities, contact Chris Nelson.

DEEP issued a notice of tentative determination to renew certain existing water discharge general permits, while proposing to issue a new general permit for categorical discharges to sanitary sewers and combining ten existing general permits into one consolidated miscellaneous general permit for discharges to sanitary sewers. The following is a list of clarifications and corrections associated with the above referenced public notice:

• No annual fees will be required for the Categorical general permit.
• The Non-Contact Cooling Water and Hydrostatic Testing general permits will remain in effect until 2015.
• The Boiler Blowdown general permit will be modified to remove the sanitary sewer component, which will be available for coverage under the proposed consolidated miscellaneous general permit.
• The Tumbling and Cleaning general permit will be extended until June 2013. These discharges will subsequently be available for coverage under the proposed consolidated miscellaneous general permit. 

The notice, draft general permits and public comments are available at this link. Any questions regarding these general permits should be directed to Art Mauger at 860-424-3018.

The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires states to implement Operator Training requirements for Underground Storage Tank (UST) facilities.  If your municipality or business owns USTs regulated under Section 22a-449(d) 101-113, a Class A, B, and C Operator must be designated for each facility.  These operators must complete class specific training, including an exam for Class A and B, by August 8, 2012.  USTs for storing heating oil for on-site consumption are not included under this requirement.

The International Code Council, in conjunction with DEEP, has developed a self-study program and exam that can be used to satisfy the Class A and Class B training requirements. The goal of Operator Training is to protect state resources, including drinking water supplies, from contamination by leaking tanks.  For questions about the Operator Training requirements, please contact  Helen Robbins, DEEP Storage Tank Unit. 

As part of DEEP's ongoing efforts to identify unnecessary regulatory burdens, the agency undertook an intensive study of gasoline vapor recovery in Connecticut. Gasoline vapors are created every time we fuel our cars at gasoline stations. The study found that the gasoline vapor control program, known as the Stage II program, is rapidly becoming obsolete because newer cars and trucks manufactured since 1998 have built in onboard vapor recovery equipment.

Recognizing the significance of the study, DEEP issued a  letter to all gasoline facility owners and operators informing them that the agency is waiving the requirement to install Stage II vapor recovery systems at newly constructed gasoline stations. DEEP is currently working with stakeholders to design a plan to phase-out Stage II vapor control systems that are in place. Until a plan is agreed on, all existing gasoline facilities will need to continue to perform tests, record keeping and maintenance of Stage II vapor recovery systems and enforcement of these rules will still be in effect.   If you have any questions, please contact Timothy Marsh at 860-424-3702.

With gasoline prices increasing, fuel efficiency and environmental performance tops the list of concerns for perspective car buyers. The new 2013 fuel economy and environmental labels designed by the U.S. EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provide consumers with critical information, including:   

• Energy comparison use and cost between electric and gasoline cars
• Fuel consumption rating allowing more accurate energy usage comparisons
• Fuel economy and green house gas rating
• Smog rating of vehicle tailpipe emissions
• Estimated fuel costs over a five year period compared to the average new vehicle
• CO₂ emissions information, and 
• a QR Code, if scanned with your Smartphone, will allow you to access information on the internet

The new labels are required on all 2013 model vehicles but it is likely that they are already appearing on many 2012 model year vehicles. The new labels will help car buyers make sense of how much energy each car uses, save money and reduce tailpipe emissions. Look for these labels while shopping for vehicles for your fleet. With gasoline prices approaching record high levels, the information provided can help your business save money.

Segment 1 of the Municipal Inland Wetland Commissioners Training Program is now available as a multimedia on-line course. It is part of a three-segment annual training program. The self-paced course provides the same informational content as the day-long, face-to-face workshop. The course, offered through the University of Connecticut, is in the same format as an on-line, college level program and includes text, slides, and video.

This course can also help applicants conducting activities in Connecticut towns to understand the legal issues and the administrative processes for work in and around inland wetlands and watercourses. Segment 1 provides an overview of the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act, the roles and responsibilities of municipal inland wetlands agencies, a review of the functions and values of wetland and watercourse resources, and a lesson on map reading and site plan review. You may obtain additional details regarding the Municipal Inland Wetland Commissioners Training Program or  register for any aspect of the training program on-line or contact DEEP's Wetlands Management Section at 860-424-3019. 

The official 2012 ozone season begins on May 1st and goes through September 30th. DEEP monitors, tracks and forecasts daily air quality levels across Connecticut all year long for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) but special attention is warranted to the Air Quality Index (AQI) during the ozone season. Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. Keep abreast of the AQI forecasts during the ozone season, especially when scheduling employees to work outdoors. Join DEEP's E-mail list serve or contact Sam Sampieri to have air quality forecasts e-mailed directly to you. You can also get the AQI forecast in real-time at DEEPs Air Quality Index webpage, on U.S. EPA's AIRNOW webpage or by  Twitter feed that is generated by U.S. EPA's EnviroFlash system. DEEP's air quality hot-lines (860-424-3027 or 800-249-1234) also provide forecasts.          

 Air Quality Awareness Week, which runs from April 30 - May 4, 2012, is another opportunity to learn more about ozone. This educational event emphasizes that we all need to "Be Air Aware" and offers information about what ozone is, using the AQI to protect against poor air quality and what you can do to help make the air cleaner in your community. 

Any owner of a device or devices emitting x-rays which are used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes by or under the supervision of a person or persons licensed to practice medicine, surgery, osteopathy, chiropractic, natureopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or veterinary medicine and surgery, as authorized by law, must register such device or devices with DEEP.  DEEP's Radiation Division has mailed letters to the regulated community notifying them that their current registration will end on April 30, 2012.  

If you own a diagnostic and therapeutic X-Ray device, you will need to register it with DEEP on or before April 30, 2012. The Registration Form and instructions can downloaded from the DEEP website.  Be sure to follow the instructions to ensure your  hard copy registration arrives to DEEP on time. Pending a complete registration, registrants shall be issued a Certificate of Use. Be advised that you cannot possess, store or use any X-Ray devices before registering. Failure to submit a timely renewal registration shall result in non-compliance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 22a-150 and may result in an enforcement action being taken by DEEP. Please contact the Radiation Department at 860-424-3029 for more information.