Free Green Professional (GPRO) Training

Is your building being managed as efficiently as it could be? From green building strategies to hands-on energy benchmarking, the upcoming GPRO credential class provides critical tools for school and municipal building managers to transition to sustainable operations. This class is being offered at no cost to Connecticut state, military, and municipal employees, through funding from DEEP. This nationally recognized course is endorsed by the U.S. Green Building Council and Urban Green and includes an exam for GPRO certification. Ninety-seven percent of Connecticut building managers who took this course last year rated it as excellent and 99% said they would recommend it to a friend. The course is run by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University, with GPRO certified instructor William Leahy.

Do you or someone you know have an outdoor wood-fired furnace (OWF)?   Then you'll want to find out more about DEEP's new Good Deals for Good Neighbors program, which provides funding to Connecticut residents to remove and/or replace older, dirtier OWFs.  An OWF is essentially a wood-fired boiler in a small, insulated shed with a smoke stack. 

Funding for Diesel Emissions Control Projects

DEEP is seeking grant proposals from municipalities, organizations, and individuals for diesel reduction projects that are environmentally and economically beneficial and can be implemented by August of 2015. DEEP anticipates receiving approximately $84,000 in federal funds for the reduction of diesel emissions in the state. These funds are authorized under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) and are administered by the U.S. EPA under its State Grant Program. These funds provide a great opportunity to support green technologies while addressing the public health and environmental concerns posed by diesel emissions in Connecticut. Since 2008, DEEP has awarded approximately $2,750,000 in DERA funds for such diverse projects as the early replacement of a refrigerated box truck for the Department of Corrections, the replacement of engines on the Chester/Hadlyme Ferry, the Selden III (shown in photo at right), and the early replacement of a number of municipal maintenance trucks throughout the state.

Application deadline is October 30, 2014. Information and forms are on DEEP's Diesel Grants and Funding webpage. Completed forms and inquiries should be directed to Patrice Kelly.

New Paint Recycling Videos

As a result of Connecticut's Paint Stewardship Law, there is a new program in the state to collect and recycle unwanted oil and latex paints, stains and varnishes. DEEP, along with PaintCare and Middlesex Community College, created three videos to help spread the word and to encourage more retailers and municipalities to become partners in the program. One is a humorous but informative public service announcement for residents, which highlights the availability of convenient drop-off locations. We are encouraging municipalities and businesses to share the public service announcement or to embed it on their website for Connecticut Recycles Day on November 15, 2014. 

The other two videos are for paint retailers and municipalities and household hazardous waste programs. They were videotaped on-site at several Connecticut paint stores and transfer stations to demonstrate the responsibilities and benefits of becoming a drop-off location. For more information, go to DEEP's Paint Recycling webpage.

Update of Long Island Sound Plan Underway

The CCMP identifies objectives, strategies, and actions that address the environmental health of Long Island Sound and also the economic and development well-being of its surrounding communities. The plan centers around four major themes: "Waters and Watersheds"; "Habitats and Wildlife"; "Sound Communities"; and "Science and Management." Each of these themes includes strategies and actions that municipalities can take to address the challenges of climate change, natural hazards, storm water management practices, land use and development. Municipalities and the general public are encouraged to review the proposed CCMP and proposed implementation actions and provide comments to the LISS team.  The comment period will close on November 8, 2014.  

First Stream Flow Classifications Completed

The first ever stream flow classifications were recently finalized for rivers and streams in the Southeast Coastal, Pawcatuck and Thames Major Basins. You can view these classifications on DEEP's Stream Flow webpage. This is the first time that Connecticut has mapped water quantity goals to balance uses of water which take into account needs for river and stream ecology, wildlife and recreation while also providing for the needs of public health, flood control, industry, public utilities, water supply, public safety, agriculture and other lawful uses of water.  Public Act 05-142 had required DEEP to work with the Department of Public Health and stakeholders to update standards for maintaining minimum flows. Extensive discussions with numerous stakeholders and work groups culminated in adoption of final regulations in 2011 which gave DEEP the authority to develop stream flow classes.

DEEP is continuing to map stream flow classes for the rest of the State. The South Central Coastal Basin is the next area that will be vetted through a public process and DEEP expects to solicit public comments for this basin within the next year.

RecycleCT Aims to Boost Recycling Statewide

Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has launched a new foundation to boost recycling education and outreach. The RecycleCT Foundation will fund statewide marketing and give grants to local recycling education programs starting in 2015. Beginning this month, RecycleCT is partnering with Keep America Beautiful to sponsor television ads promoting recycling, and is launching a website with easy-to-use tips on reuse and recycling and an online recycling pledge. The ads, from Keep America Beautiful's "I Want to be Recycled" campaign will air through January 2015 on stations WTNH, WFSB, and FTNH.

RecycleCT was created this year by Public Act 14-94, and is headed by the commissioners of DEEP and the Department of Economic and Community Development, along with other appointed board members. As a state-chartered foundation, RecycleCT can use both public and private resources to support of the goal of doubling the statewide recycling rate by 2024. For more information on RecycleCT, contact DEEP Project Manager Lee Sawyer, or follow RecycleCT at Facebook.com/CTRecycles.

Winterize with Energize

Last winter's "polar vortex" plunged the region into periods of deep cold that stressed the energy system and boosted energy costs. In preparation for the coming winter, DEEP and partners Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating Company are offering financing and rebates to help customers reduce energy consumption and costs. The "Winterize with Energize" public awareness campaign encourages all customers to prepare for winter by taking energy-saving actions now, including installing insulation and energy-efficient heating and water heating systems. The campaign stresses concrete actions that customers can take this fall to prepare for the winter, regardless of whether their systems use gas, oil, or electricity.

You may have heard some of the radio spots or noticed some of the billboards already. The campaign is utilizing "Energy-Efficient Eddy," and spots are running statewide in English and Spanish. They recommend:

The message - it's easy to winterize with Energize, and Energize Connecticut can help you every step of the way. Find energy solutions for your home, municipality, or business - and spread the word. Call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) or visit EnergizeCT.com.        

Now Available: ezFile for Boating and Fishing

Several new permit applications related to boating and fishing, including Marine Events, Fish Tournament/Derby, Stocking/Importation of Live Fish, and several others, have just joined DEEP's ezFile system. Key features of the boating and fishing release include a "copy forward" function which enables the customer to take an existing application and carry all of the data forward as a template for the next submission; interactive mapping of event location; a public view of approved permits; automatic email correspondence; and behind-the-scenes logic to assist the customer in a successful completion of the application. To get started, select the ezFile links on DEEP's Fishing webpage. Questions can be directed to Mike Beauchene or 860-424-4185.

New Outdoor Recreation Bureau Chief for DEEP 

After an extensive national search, DEEP has named a new Bureau Chief for Outdoor Recreation. Mike Lambert joined the department at the end of August and will oversee State Parks, Boating and the Environmental Conservation Police. He comes to the department from his home state of North Carolina where he was Chief of Operations for the Division of Parks and Recreation. Mike brings with him an outstanding background in the management of an impressive 41 unit state park system in North Carolina. DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee noted: "Mike arrives at a time when we are continuing to balance public expectations and our own aspirations to provide first-rate outdoor recreation opportunities for Connecticut citizens and visitors with the reality of tight budgets and limited resources." Connecticut has just marked the conclusion of its State Park System Centennial and Mike will begin his work in the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to help prepare for the next 100 years.  

The osprey is on the list of species of greatest conservation need  (photo: Paul Fusco)

Input Requested on Connecticut's Wildlife Action Plan

DEEP's Wildlife Division will be holding a series of informal meetings throughout the state to obtain public input as it updates the state's Wildlife Action Plan, which serves as Connecticut's blueprint for conservation action. The agency must complete a comprehensive review and revision every 10 years to make sure the Plan reflects current needs and priorities for species of greatest conservation need and their habitats. Participation by conservation partners, academic institutions, municipalities, and the public is a key to making the revised Wildlife Action Plan an effective tool for conserving Connecticut's diversity of wildlife resources for future generations.

You can submit comments on the revised list of species of greatest conservation need, an updated description of key habitats found in Connecticut, and revisions to chapters of the original 2005 plan (called the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy). All of the revised documents can be found on the Wildlife Action Plan webpage. You are encouraged to check the website often, as more updates and revisions become available for review. Comments can also be submitted to deep.wildlifeactionplan or Connecticut Wildlife Division, Sessions Woods W.M.A., P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013.

Funding Available for Public EV Charging Stations

Due to an overwhelming amount of interest from businesses and municipalities, DEEP is pleased to announce that another round of funding is now available to purchase and install electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment at both private businesses and at municipal or state owned facilities. Specific details about the incentives available can be found on the EVConnecticut incentive webpage and any questions can be directed to EVConnecticut.

Fleet Owner Tool Can Help Reduce Fuel Costs

A new tool for fleet operators available from TruckingEfficiency.org provides useful information on a range of fleet efficiency technologies. Fleet operators can view a full assessment of the benefits and challenges of adoption, performance gains, and payback periods for around 70 different technologies. Operators can input their truck traits and operating parameters to find efficiency technologies that have the potential to solve challenges within their fleet and save money at the same time. Heavy duty diesel trucks transport 92% of the freight moved into or through Connecticut and diesel exhaust from trucks is a significant contributor to air pollution in our state. By identifying and implementing fleet efficiency technologies, you are making a smart business decision and helping Connecticut get on the road to cleaner air.

Send Your Leaves to a Mulch Better Place 

Report on Long Island Sound Hypoxia Conditions

Long Island Sound (LIS) has a large and highly developed watershed. 

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DEEP currently monitors up to 48 stations during the summer using the Research Vessel John Dempsey. Surveys are concentrated on the Western Sound. DEEP conducted eight cruises during the summer of 2014, between June and September. One measure of the severity of hypoxia is based on the area of LIS bottom waters affected by hypoxia. In 2014, the maximum area of bottom waters affected was 87.1 square miles. Compared to other monitoring years, this is the fourth smallest area impacted behind 1997, 1992, and 2013. Climatic factors along with improved municipal waste water treatment processes, better storm sewer maintenance and incorporation of green infrastructure have contributed to improved conditions. Find more information at DEEP's LIS Water Quality Program and Information webpage.

Nitrogen Trading Program Changes

DEEP and the Nitrogen Credit Advisory Board (NCAB) have initiated steps to move the nitrogen trading program to self-sufficiency ("state subsidy neutral") for the 2015 trading year credit exchange transactions to be completed by August 2016. The Nitrogen Trading Program has been a successful approach for cost-effectively meeting the 2014 Total Maximum Daily Load for reducing nitrogen in Long Island Sound. Over $450 million in grants and loans from the Clean Water Fund for municipal sewage treatment plant nitrogen removal upgrade projects is expected through 2018. It is estimated that $300 - 400 million have been saved by not forcing municipalities to upgrade all at once.

The Nitrogen Trading Program's success has produced a situation where significantly more credits are produced than are needed. Projections for the next few years show the State subsidization of the program growing to over $5 million by 2018. This level of continued subsidization cannot be sustained. To address this, DEEP and NCAB recommend continuing the trading program while moving it to a self-sufficiency model where the buyer's payments are shared proportionally by the sellers. Legislative changes are needed to enact these changes. More information at the Nitrogen Trading Program webpage.  

Two webinars were held recently to share success stories for Connecticut's Green Lodging program. Jean McInnis, Environmental Protection Administrator for the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, presented on the Mohegan Sun Hotel & Casino's Integrated Energy Management System. This included the numerous energy conservation projects completed from 2002 to 2013 which facilitate a dollar-for-dollar offset of vehicular emissions from patron vehicles.  She also presented a scrap food-to-farm program which has been continuously operational since the 1990s with a local piggery. The Mohegan Sun features an 1176-room hotel, three casinos, convention center, 10,000 seat arena, and an indoor shopping and dining mall.

The second webinar featured Abbie McAllister, Manager at the Saybrook Point Inn and Marina, who highlighted their environmental successes. This 90-room facility uses multiple green strategies including cogeneration of hot water from waste heat, solar panels, green cleaning, salt water pools, drip irrigation in the Chef's garden, rain sensors on watering, birdhouses for pest management, electric vehicle charging stations, non-chemical water treatment in cooling tower and much more.  The presentations from both webinars are available at DEEP's Green Lodging webpage under Training Workshops and Webinars.

Connecticut Hospital Shares Sustainability Successes

Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) hosted the recent DEEP Healthcare Environmental Roundtable forum, Sharing Sustainable Solutions for Healthcare. YNHH has undertaken a variety of sustainability projects that have reduced waste and emissions and preserved natural resources while lowering costs. One example is their development of an efficient system for managing pharmaceutical waste. YNHH is a member of the nationwide Healthy Hospital Initiative, which provides a framework and guidance for healthcare facilities to reduce energy and waste, choose safer and less toxic products, and purchase and serve healthier foods. The forum also included information on DEEP's efforts to develop regulations that would allow hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to be managed as a Connecticut Universal Waste.   The presentations and contact information are available on DEEP's CHER web page.

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When spending time outdoors this fall, it is important to remain vigilant about protecting against mosquito bites. Until there is a killing frost, mosquitoes will still be with us (although numbers are dwindling). The Connecticut Mosquito Management Program monitors mosquito populations and humans for the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The Program, a cooperative effort of DEEP, CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and UConn, also provides technical assistance on reducing mosquitoes to municipalities, businesses, and residents.

CAES has been trapping and testing mosquitoes since June and will continue to monitor over 90 sites throughout CT until the end of October. As of mid-October, over 226,000 mosquitoes have been tested. WNV has been isolated from 68 pools of mosquitoes, mainly in lower Fairfield and New Haven Counties and the greater Hartford area. Five human cases of WNV have been identified from Stamford, Stratford, West Haven, and East Haven. No mosquito isolations or human cases of EEE have been confirmed this summer. Weekly surveillance updates, control methods, and the current list of certified applicators can be found at www.ct.gov/mosquito.

Understanding RACT

Under the Clean Air Act, DEEP is required to periodically review its air quality regulations that control emissions of ozone precursors, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), from industries and power plants to see if the requirements reflect current air pollution control technology. The U.S. EPA terms this level of air pollution control technology as RACT or "reasonably available control technology." This periodic review is triggered every time U.S. EPA revises the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone.

In July, DEEP submitted a plan to the U.S. EPA, which promises to update several air quality requirements, including NOx emissions standards for municipal waste combustors and for all fuel burning equipment. The revision of the NOx standards for fuel-burning equipment, now set out in Section 22a-174-22 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, will impact equipment at many commercial, industrial and institutional sources in the state. Many of the emissions standards in the regulation have been in place since 1994 and apply to boilers, turbines and engines. This effort is now underway and business and municipal input is encouraged. To provide input or learn more about the timing of the planned rule revisions visit DEEP's RACT web page.