A Master Plan for Kilowatt-Hours

Electricity -- no issue better illustrates the challenges of effective long-term planning to meet the requirements of economic growth and the daily needs of our residents -- while protecting the state's natural resources and public health. The 2014 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), issued in draft form in December, is DEEP's effort to meet this challenge for the state's electricity needs.

The IRP provides analysis of and recommendations on a wide range of issues, including:

• Energy efficiency
• Renewable energy
• Overall generation capacity
• Expanded use of natural gas.

DEEP will accept comments on the draft plan until February 11, 2015.  Comments can be submitted to [email protected] or via the Energy Web Filings system. 

Snow Disposal Policy

In recognition of the significant back-to-back snowfalls at the end of January and the beginning of February, DEEP did issue an Emergency Authorization allowing municipalities, utilities, and specified others to dispose of snow in waterways - if upland sites are exhausted. The process for that involves a prior notification and then some follow-up reporting on the action taken. The Emergency Authorization remains in effect until Feb. 25th.

The preferred practice for snow disposal, however, is to place it on upland locations where sand and other debris remaining after snowmelt can later be removed. The risk from depositing snow directly into surface waters (e.g., rivers, wetlands and Long Island Sound), is that 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 snow accumulations.

Revised Requirements for Stormwater Systems

DEEP is working to reissue its municipal stormwater discharge permit (MS4 permit) with new and updated requirements. The requirements, first initiated in 2004 to meet water quality objectives and incorporate "best practices" for management of storm water, will be revamped to have more targeted monitoring for meaningful data, and more adaptable to town specific needs, from street sweeping/catch basin cleaning requirements to leaf management, and discharge monitoring.  Cities, towns and institutions that operate storm water systems are required to register for a General Permit with DEEP that establishes operating requirements for them. The proposed changes to the General Permit became the subject of a public hearing at DEEP on December 17, 2014.  Following the hearing, DEEP issued revised proposal language for the permit. For more information, please read our press release on storm water system revised requirements.    

EAB Quarantine Extended to All of Connecticut

The quarantine for the invasive, non-native emerald ash borer (EAB) was extended to include all eight Connecticut counties effective December 5, 2014. This was in response to the detection of EAB in Middlesex and New London Counties. EAB is already established in numerous towns in New Haven, Fairfield, Hartford, and Litchfield Counties. The movement of ash (ash logs, ash materials, ash nursery stock, and other regulated articles) within and between the eight counties of Connecticut are no longer subject to state or federal quarantine. However, out-of-state transport of ash and the transport of firewood of all tree species, including ash, within Connecticut continue to be regulated. Connecticut was added to the federal EAB quarantine around the same date. More information about the emerald ash borer and related quarantines can be found on these websites: DEEP, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

Update on Proposed Fishing Regulation Changes

On February 24, 2015, the Legislative Regulation Review Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to vote on final approval  of the proposed fishing regulations changes as detailed in the 2014 Angler's Guide. The DEEP website will be updated after the vote.

New License and Permit Fees  

All 16 and 17-year-old Connecticut residents can now purchase 2015 fishing and hunting licenses, tags, permits, and/or stamps at 50% off the full resident cost. Licenses can be purchased directly from DEEP offices, most town clerks, participating vendors, and online through the Sportsmen's Licensing System.

State Park Passes

 State Park passes are now available for the 2015 season.  These include resident, non-resident, disabled veterans and senior citizens passes to Connecticut's 107 state parks.

Open Space Grants Available

DEEP is currently accepting applications from municipalities, non-profit land conservation organizations, and water companies for the competitive Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant program. Grants will be awarded for projects that offer the highest conservation and recreational value and that leverage the greatest percentage of private and municipal funding.  Funding for this grant round will be made available from Community Investment Act funds held by DEEP, and may be augmented by state bond funds. The deadline for submitting applications to DEEP is March 1, 2015.

DEEP Approves Mattress Stewardship Plan

Mattresses are hard to dispose of and often are illegally dumped.

Mattress disposal can be costly for municipalities, institutions and businesses. To address this issue, DEEP recently approved the Connecticut Mattress Stewardship Plan developed by the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC). MRC is a non-profit organization created by the mattress industry to manage a state-wide recycling program established by Public Act 13-42. The program will result in the recycling of valuable resources, including steel, foam and cotton from each mattress.

The approved plan requires retailers add a $9 recycling fee to each new or renovated mattress and box springs sold to CT consumers. This fee will show as a separate line item on sales receipts beginning on May 1st. Retailers will remit the fees to MRC, which will pay for contractors to collect and recycle mattresses. The MRC will provide containers to participating municipalities for mattresses brought in to transfer stations by residents and will pick them up when full. The cost of the program is covered by MRC so those participating will not be able to charge residents for dropping off a mattress. Similarly, certain businesses and institutions that generate used mattresses such as hotels, hospitals and colleges, can also participate in the program. Contact Justine Fallon, MRC, to sign up.

PaintCare submitted its first annual report on CT's paint stewardship program to DEEP, covering the period from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. Highlights include:  

• The establishment of 127 permanent collection sites for unwanted paint in Connecticut;
• Convenient access (defined as being within 15 miles of a drop site) to a drop off location for 99% of the state's population;
• Collection of paint from five seasonal municipal transfer stations, 54 household hazardous waste (HHW) events, and 11 one-day collection events for paint only;
• The establishment by PaintCare of pick-up service for 34 sites, where paint was collected from generators with large volumes. These sites included the University of Connecticut and a state correctional facility resulting in a direct savings for the state in avoided paint disposal fees.
• Collection of 240,798 gallons of paint during the first year. Of this amount 70% was latex, and 30% oil-based. All of the oil based paint was sent for fuel blending and burned for energy recovery. The majority of the latex paint, 81%, was recycled back into marketable paint. 

ezFile for Radioactive Material & Industrial X-Ray Devices 

Nonpoint Source Plan Approved

U.S. EPA recently approved DEEP's Connecticut NPS Management Program Plan, which is required as part of the Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Program. Municipalities, businesses, private groups and other stakeholders play a crucial role in helping DEEP prevent and address NPS pollution. The approved plan allows Connecticut to continue to receive federal NPS funding and to use that funding to support local stakeholders. Common NPS pollutants include: pathogens, nutrients, sediment, salt, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides and debris. These are typically carried by stormwater runoff into nearby streams, lakes, and estuaries from diffuse land use activities that are not regulated by Stormwater General Permits as point source discharges. Potential sources include: unregulated runoff from impervious surfaces and developed land, agricultural runoff, waste from domestic animals and wildlife, malfunctioning septic systems, landscape maintenance activities, marinas and boating, atmospheric deposition, and hydrologic

Municipalities and businesses are encouraged to review elements of the plan, especially the tables listing actions and milestones, to identify ways to work collaboratively with DEEP to restore and protect affected waters. One example (shown in photo on right) is a pet waste station along a popular trail in Simonzi Town Park in Putnam that encourages responsible behavior to avoid NPS nutrient and bacteria water quality issues in the nearby Quinebaug River.

Integrated Water Quality Report Now Available 

Gillette Castle Goes Missing

Income Tax Check-Off Fund Helps Endangered Species/Wildlife 

The Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-Off Fund was established in 1993 to allow Connecticut state income tax payers to voluntarily donate a portion of their tax refund in support of the state's endangered species, natural area preserves, and watchable wildlife. Since the fund was started, donations have helped finance habitat restoration, species monitoring, public outreach, construction of wildlife viewing areas, and a variety of other projects.  Connecticut residents have a unique opportunity to make a difference for wildlife and natural area preserves by donating to the Tax Check-off Fund, thus supporting important projects and research. To contribute, you can either:

• Donate when submitting tax returns by entering total contributions on Schedule 5, Line 70, of Form CT-1040, Connecticut Resident Income Tax Return; or 
• Contribute directly by sending a check payable to "DEEP-Endangered Species/Wildlife Fund" to: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Financial and Support Services, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127.  

Thank you for your support!

New Food Scrap Recycling Law Webpage

The Hartford's Environment Committee members (l-r) Pat Brown and Jay Bruns at the company's main campus EV chargers.

The U.S. Dept. of Energy recently recognized The Hartford as a national leader in its Workplace Charging Challenge. The Hartford offers free charging to its employees to encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs). In 2011 the company installed six charging stations at its three Connecticut offices in Harford, Simsbury and Windsor, for a total of 12 EV chargers. In addition, fifteen percent of the Hartford's corporate fleet will consist of hybrid electric vehicles and EVs by 2016.

The Hartford installed EV chargers on its properties to help the company meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals and show its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The chargers have other benefits as well. For many drivers of EVs, accessing chargers at work can help extend their vehicles' all-electric daily commuting range and help make EVs a practical choice. Three years after installing their first EV chargers, employee demand is high and the company is considering installing additional chargers. Learn more about the benefits of the Workplace Charging Challenge and join the challenge.   

GPS Tracks Idling, Reduces Emissions & Saves Money

GPS, the same technology that locates your vehicle and gets you where you're going, is helping the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (SCCRWA) reduce operating costs and decrease pollution. SCCRWA, a non-profit public corporation, provides about 46 million gallons of water a day to 430,000 consumers and operates a large fleet of 200 vehicles ranging from large service trucks to compact cars. Three years ago, the SCCRWA improved its operating efficiency by employing a new GPS tracking system that produces daily fleet idling reports. For about $30 per month, the system generates "idling alerts" that notify managers and team leaders whenever the job-specific number of idling minutes for any vehicle is exceeded.   

 

Idling reports save the SCCRWA approximately $60,000 per year, not only through lowered fuel use, but by reducing engine wear. Excess idling increases the frequency of vehicle maintenance, driving up costs; every hour of idling time equates to 40 miles of engine wear. Reducing idle time also reduces engine emissions. If your company is interested in helpful tips for fleets to cut emissions while reducing operating costs, check out the publication Go Green and Save Green.

Boost your Energy Smarts with Energy 101

Check out the brand new Energy 101 section on the newly renovated Smart Energy Resources page on EnergizeCT.com. It was developed to help Connecticut residents, municipalities, and businesses stay abreast of available technologies and how they fit in with the state's various energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. For example, the Efficient Lighting page can help you find the perfect light bulb for your needs and even discusses a new technology - the OLED -that is working its way to market.   The Energy Efficiency section has information on insulation, lighting, thermostats and the Renewable Energy section explains about solar, wind, and geothermal energy.  DEEP's Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy hopes to expand Energy 101 in the future to provide more educational and emerging information on all things energy. Please send any comments or suggestions to [email protected].

Find Appliances that S-t-r-e-t-c-h your Energy Dollar

EnergizeCT, the state's trusted source for all things energy, can now help you shop for energy-efficient appliances. The ENERGY STAR Retail Products page now includes a handy tool called the Efficient Product Finder. Powered by Enervee, the finder showcases appliances and rebates available in the Connecticut market. It is designed to be fully customizable. A search-and-filter feature allows customers to find appliances that suit their needs, based on rebates, price, energy cost, efficiency, and other traits.

Free Green Professional (GPRO) Training

Upcoming Conferences