Council Duties
Activities of the Council Council Members Acknowledgments
Council Duties
The Council is a nine-member board that works independently of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (except for administrative functions). Five members are appointed by the Governor, two (2) members by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two members by the Speaker of the House. The main responsibilities of the Council on Environmental Quality are described in Sections 22a-11 through 22a-13 of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS), and summarized below:
- Submit an annual report to the Governor on the status of Connecticut’s environment, including progress toward goals of the statewide environmental plan, with recommendations for remedying deficiencies of state programs. In 2023, Public Act 23-76 was enacted that requires the Council to also assess programs and measures of local governments implemented pursuant to CGS subsection (d) of Section 22a-244b.
- Review of state agencies’ construction projects.
- Investigation of citizens’ complaints and allegations of violations of environmental laws.
- Review of environmental impact evaluations that state agencies prepare for major projects under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA).
- Publish the Environmental Monitor, the site where all state agencies must post their notices required under CEPA including, but not limited to, scoping notices and notice of the availability of environmental impact evaluations. The Environmental Monitor is also the official publication for notice of intent by state agencies to sell or transfer state lands. In 2025, the Council reviewed and published 74 notices in the Environmental Monitor.
- Participation in studies and working groups on environmental issues, as directed by the legislature, such as the development of the Release-Based Cleanup Regulations.