Council on Environmental Quality Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the November 20, 2024, meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality (Council) held via Zoom.

MEMBERS PRESENT: (Remote) Keith Ainsworth (Acting Chair), Christopher Donnelly, Derek Phelps, Linda Bowers, Denise Rodosevich, David Kalafa, Aimee Petras, and William Warzecha.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Aresta (Council - Executive Director), Ryan Carboni (Council – Environmental Analyst), Jordan DiDomenico (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Laschone Garrison (DEEP), and Justine Phillips-Gallucci (Office of Policy and Management (OPM)).
Member of the public that spoke: Katherine Bennett.

1. Call to Order: Establishment of a Quorum
At 9:30 AM, Ainsworth called the meeting to order, took attendance, and confirmed that there was a quorum of Council members present.

2. Approval of Minutes from October 23, 2024
Rodosevich made a motion to approve the draft meeting minutes from October 23, 2024; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously with Kalafa abstaining because he was not present at the October 23, 2024 meeting.

3. Citizen Comment Period
Katherine Bennett commented on environmental issues associated with the use and potential expansion of Tweed New Haven Airport, including an increase in noise, traffic, air pollution and possibly water pollution, and potential impacts on wetlands. 

4. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received 

• Carboni reported that the Council received a complaint/inquiry regarding the deposition of debris around the previously capped landfill and inland wetlands in the City of New London. He added that Council staff directed the complainant to the inland wetland agency at the City, which is responsible for wetlands enforcement, and the materials management/wetlands contacts at DEEP.

5. Executive Director’s Report

• Annual Report
  Aresta reviewed the tentative schedule for the development, review and release of the 2024 annual report.
  
  Aresta presented information for several indicators for the 2024 annual report, including greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from large facilities; projected electric vehicle (EV) adoption; the sale of transportation fuels; the redemption rate for deposit beverage containers; Asian Tiger Mosquitoes; and miniature alcohol beverage containers (Nips). 
  
  
• Miniature Alcoholic Beverage Container (Nips) Survey 
  Carboni reported that the Council received 129 survey responses to date, which is an 80 percent response rate of all towns that received funds from the program. He added that Council staff has completed the phase of soliciting the information/data, and has begun analyzing the data and revising the “preliminary findings” document. Carboni summarized the survey responses, including 1) how much funds were expended on measures to reduce solid waste and litter; 2) what “other” measures were identified by the municipalities; and 3) comments received regarding the effectiveness of the program. Ainsworth and Donnelly questioned if the funds from the surcharge on Nips increased the programs/measures employed by the municipalities, including but not limited to hiring of recycling coordinators, or sustained existing programs/measures. Bowers also questioned if the funds expended on educational programs are directed towards reducing solid waste. Carboni responded that the information is not part of the survey and additional follow-up with respondents would be needed to obtain that level of detail.
  
  
• Long Island Sound Study (LISS) 2025 Draft Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan
  Aresta reviewed the four (4) overarching goals that are identified in the draft Comprehensive Plan. He noted that the Council’s draft comments focus on Goal 1: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds and Goal 2: Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife. Bowers questioned the area of hypoxia in Long Island Sound, which was identified in the draft Comprehensive Plan. Rodosevich suggested several changes to the Council’s draft comments regarding the draft Comprehensive Plan, noting that 1) recent data indicates that the area of hypoxia in Long Island Sound is still a concern, 2) the annual average area of land preservation in Connecticut has fallen short of the amount need to achieve the state’s land preservation goal, as set forth by statute, 3) efforts to collect marine debris should not be reduced, and 4) there should be a recommendation to add a goal to reduce all toxic contaminants from entering Long Island Sound including, but not limited to eliminating combined sewer overflows.
  
  Rodosevich made a motion to approve the Council’s draft comments regarding the LISS Comprehensive Plan with the changes discussed; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved unanimously.
  
  
• Draft legislative recommendations
  Aresta noted that the draft legislative recommendations have been developed that align with the recommendations included in the 2023 annual report. There was general discussion regarding the draft legislative recommendations, and it was suggested that the following revisions be made:
  • Climate Change - add 1) increase in urban forest canopy, and 2) the development and use of renewable energy sources that do not generate greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Nature Based Solutions -eliminate “support climate change mitigation and adaption” from the first sentence and reorder the identified strategies;
  • Watershed Land and Water Resources – add reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides; and
    
  • Increase Resources for DEEP – add review, at least every five years, the designation of species as endangered, threatened or of special concern, and areas identified as essential habitats, and reference the General Statutes Section 26-307.

Rodosevich made a motion to approve the Council’s legislative recommendations with the changes discussed; seconded by Kalafa. The motion was clarified to retain Climate Change and Nature Based Solutions as two separate sections. The motion was approved unanimously.

The Council took a short break at 10:43 and resumed the meeting at 10:48.

Ainsworth noted that the Council might want to add Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Petition 1649 to the agenda. Petras made a motion to add CSC Petition 1649 to the agenda; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.

6. State Agency Actions
a. DEEP

•  Release-Based Remediation Program (RBRP) – Update
  Aresta reported that the Council’s comments regarding the release-based cleanup regulations (RBCRs) were submitted to DEEP on October 23. He added that DEEP held a meeting for the working group on November 12 and primarily discussed DEEP’s draft General Permit to Act as a Contractor to Contain or Remove or Otherwise Mitigate the Effects of Certain Releases (General Permit). Aresta reported that DEEP also recently released the “release characterization guidance” to assist the environmental professional in constructing a conceptual site model (CSM) for an identified release.
  
  
• Draft State of Connecticut Statewide Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
  Carboni reported that DEEP released the draft Statewide Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Core Document and Appendices. He noted that the reports were prepared to fulfill requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act under Section 303(d) and he summarized the significant components/changes in the documents.
  
  
• Draft General Permit to Act as a Contractor to Contain or Remove or Otherwise Mitigate the Effects of Certain Releases
  Aresta reported again that DEEP recently released a draft General Permit that authorizes the registrant to act as a contractor to contain, remove or otherwise mitigate soil impacted by certain releases, including saturated soil, but not surface waters or groundwaters. Aresta summarized where the General Permit might be applicable for the registered contractors. He added that written comments have been developed that recommend clarification of the work authorized by the General Permit and inclusion of a reference for “best management practices”.
  
  Phelps made a motion to approve the Council’s draft comments regarding the General Permit; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.

b. Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) 

Comments recommended:

• Docket 526 (solar, Stonington)
  Aresta reported that Council staff had reviewed a proposal from Greenskies Clean Energy to develop and operate an approximately 5-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) facility to be located in Stonington. In response to a question at the previous meeting, he noted that the proposed facility would not be within a floodzone.
  
  
• Petition 1643 (solar, Thompson)
  Aresta reported that Council staff had reviewed a proposal from C-TEC Solar, LLC to develop a solar PV facility to be located on Pompeo Road in Thompson, and that the Council was recently made aware that Pompeo Road is a town-designated scenic road. He added that a draft comment has been developed that recommends that the Petitioner expand the scope of the visibility analysis and consider measures to minimize any adverse visual impact.
  
  
• Petition 1647 (energy storage, Oxford)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from East Point Energy, LLC to construct and operate a 17.3-MW/ 69.2 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) to be located on North Larkey Road in Oxford. He reviewed the environmental characteristics of the proposed project and noted that draft comments have been developed that address prime farmland soils, wildlife, and spill prevention. Bowers questioned the review of projects on prime farmland soils by the CSC and opportunities for public comment. There was general discussion regarding the review of energy facilities on important farmland soils and state policy regarding the development of renewable energy/energy storage facilities.
  
  
• Petition 1649 (energy, Canaan)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Eversource Energy to modify its existing Falls Village Substation and associated equipment located at 35 Water Street in Canaan. He reviewed the environmental characteristics of the proposed project and noted that draft comments have been developed that address the provision of documents, wildlife, and inspections and stormwater.

No comments recommended at this time:

• Petition 1648 (telecom, Manchester)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Verizon Wireless to install a wireless telecommunications facility on the roof of The Masonic Temple building in Manchester. He summarized the proposed project and some of the characteristics of the proposed site.

Kalafa made a motion to approve the Council’s comments regarding CSC Docket 526, Petition 1643, Petition 1647, and Petition 1649; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.

7. Other Business 
Ainsworth noted that the Council’s next meeting is scheduled for December 19, 2024.

Rodosevich questioned the status of the study regarding the CSC. Ainsworth noted that DEEP is undertaking the study of the CSC and Aresta provided a schedule for the release of DEEP’s draft report and opportunities for public comment. Rodosevich also questioned the status of Connecticut’s procurement of offshore wind capacity. Aresta noted that he would contact DEEP to inquire about the schedule for the procurement of offshore wind capacity.

Kalafa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:29 AM; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was concluded.

A recording ¹ of the meeting is available online and by email request of the Council (email to: CEQ@ct.gov). (Disclaimer: The transcript associated with the meeting recording is computer-generated and may contain typos that have not been edited.

¹Passcode: 99hsfu!V

https://ctdeep.zoom.us/rec/share/DbJhoSfnSkX214xPqQX8Df3dPR5wmVHm_i0NofP4Qsz1M0Dq-NBwHxm3_Q2xqLTi.DsqZul_R8qLPxXub