Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

Revised Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Building a Regional Composting Facility for Southeastern Connecticut in Preston

Revised: DEEP has extended the dates for public comments. Requests for a public hearing will be accepted until November 28, 2025. Public comments will be accepted until January 2, 2026.

Address of Possible Project Location: 132 Military Highway (Route 12) Preston

Municipality where proposed action is to be located: Preston

Project Description: Utilizing a grant award from the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) through its Materials Management and Infrastructure Grant Program, the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) proposes to construct and operate the first large-scale aerobic food waste composting facility in southeastern Connecticut, fulfilling an infrastructure need in an historically underserved region. The facility will utilize an innovative hybrid compost system, combining aerated static pile processing with open windrows for curing, resulting in quicker composting times and reduced operational costs. The facility will be situated on approximately six acres of land owned by the Authority at 132 Military Highway (Route 12) in the town of Preston.  It is anticipated that the volume of source-separated organics diverted will be approximately 5,500 tons per year, and the anticipated volume of wood waste diverted will be approximately 8,500 tons per year.
Local zoning approval for the facility has been acquired, and the required state-level solid waste permit application is currently under review by DEEP. A robust environmental justice public participation plan has also been developed and approved by DEEP, in consideration of Preston’s status as a distressed municipality.

Project Map:  Click here to view a map of the project location.

Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection published a Scoping Notice on May 20, 2025, and a Post-Scoping Notice on July 22, 2025, for the proposed project in the Environmental Monitor.

Comments on this EIE has been extended and will be accepted until the close of business on January 2, 2026.

The public can view a copy of the EIE here or at the following locations:

Preston Town Clerk’s Office
389 Route 2 – Town Hall
Preston, CT 06365 

Preston Public Library
389 Route 2
Preston, CT 06365 

CT DEEP Headquarters
By appointment only 
Contact: Michael.Looney@ct.gov
79 Elm Street, 4th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103

If a public hearing is requested by twenty-five or more persons, or by an association having not less than twenty-five persons, the sponsoring agency will schedule a public hearing on the EIE. Such requests for a public hearing must be made by contacting DEEP identified below by November 28, 2025.   

Written comments about this EIE, questions about this EIE, or to request a public hearing, please contact: 

Name: Michael T. Looney

Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106

Phone: 860-424-3530

E-Mail: Michael.Looney@ct.gov 

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:

Name: Michael T. Looney
Agency: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT 06106
Phone: 860-424-3530
E-Mail: Michael.Looney@ct.gov 

 
What happens next: DEEP will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the evaluation. DEEP will prepare responses to the substantive issues raised in review of and comment on the EIE and any supplemental materials or amendments. Those responses and all supplemental materials and comments shall be made available in a "Record of Decision", which will appear in the Environmental Monitor for public inspection.