Council on Environmental Quality Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the October 23, 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, 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), Justine Phillips-Gallucci (Office of Policy and Management (OPM)), and Bruce Wittchen (OPM).

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 September 25, 2024

Warzecha made a motion to approve the draft meeting minutes from September 25, 2024; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved unanimously with Rodosevich abstaining because she was not present at the September 25, 2024 meeting.

3. Citizen Comment Period

There was no citizen comment.

4. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received

• Carboni reported that the Council received letters regarding concerns about a solar project in Torrington - Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Petition 1638. Council staff responded by indicating that the letters would be provided to Council members, and Council staff directed the complainant to the Council’s comments that were submitted to the CSC regarding Petition 1638.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council received a complaint about littering on the Merritt Parkway. Council staff provided the complainant with contact information for the appropriate state police barracks.
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry regarding potential health impacts from radiation and environmental conditions at a former defense facility in Middletown. Council staff directed the individual to the Remediation and Radiation Divisions at DEEP and the Occupational Health Division at the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH).
  
  
• Carboni reported that the Council received a complaint regarding a chemical/pesticide odor on a neighbor’s property. Council staff responded by providing the complainant with information for the Pesticide Management Program (PMP) at DEEP and contact information for the PMP’s supervisor. Council staff also informed the complainant about the pesticide pre-notification registry on DEEP’s PMP website.

Ainsworth noted that the Council would monitor the proceeding for CSC Petition 1638 and might develop supplemental comments, if warranted.

5. Executive Director’s Report

• Annual Report
  Aresta reported that a subcommittee of Council members met to discuss the development of the annual report. Aresta noted that the summary booklet would be 40 pages in length, cost approximately $890 for printing, and could be completed by the end of December.
  
  
• Miniature Alcoholic Beverage Container Survey
  Carboni reported that Council staff received 95 survey responses to date, which represents a 62 percent response rate. He added that Council staff recently sent another email to municipalities and will follow up with phone calls, as necessary. Carboni also noted that the Council received an inquiry from an aide for State Representative Kara Rochelle regarding cumulative funds from the deposit on miniature beverage containers provided to the city of Derby. Council staff responded by providing the most recent information and a link to the DEEP website that would contain updates for the program. In response to an inquiry from Bowers, Carboni indicated that the chief elected official and the chief financial officer for each town received the survey.
  
  
• Long Island Sound Study (LISS) 2025 Draft Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan
  Aresta reported that a subcommittee of Council members met recently to review the draft Management Plan for Long Island Sound. He added that the subcommittee will likely develop comments for the Council’s consideration at the Council’s next meeting on November 20.
  
  
• Chase Road Bridge, Putnam
  Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposed bridge replacement project for the Chase Road Bridge in Putnam. He summarized the proposed project and some of the characteristics of the existing bridge site.

6. State Agency Actions
a. DEEP

• Release-Based Remediation Program (RBRP) – Update
  Aresta reported that DEEP held another working group meeting regarding the draft Release Based Cleanup Regulations (RBCR) on October 8 and a public hearing on October 10. He added that draft comments have been developed and distributed that address various provisions of the draft RBCR, and that comments are due by October 24. Ainsworth noted support for the draft comments.
  
  Warzecha made a motion to approve the Council’s comments for the RBCR; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
  
  
• Salmon River State Forest: Gilead Block Forest Management Plan
  Aresta reported that DEEP developed a Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Gilead Block of the Salmon River State Forest. He noted that draft comments have been developed that 1) support the designation of approximately 24 percent of the Gilead Block’s total area as “Old Forest”, and 2) suggest the identification of sensitive environmental resource areas for all new or revised FMPs.
  
  Donnelly made a motion to approve the Council’s comments for the Salmon River State Forest: Gilead Block FMP; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
  
  
• Notice of Three Minor Air Quality Regulatory Amendments and Revision to State Implementation Plan
  Carboni reported that DEEP is proposing to amend certain regulations to address ozone non-attainment in the state and he summarized the proposed changes to the regulations. Rodosevich suggested developing a letter of support regarding DEEP’s efforts to achieve the ozone standard in Connecticut.
  
  Rodosevich made a motion to submit a letter to DEEP supporting the proposed regulatory revisions, and noting that sources outside of Connecticut need to be better regulated in order to help Connecticut achieve the ozone standards; seconded by Donnelly. The motion was approved unanimously.
  
  
• Draft State of Connecticut Statewide Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
  Aresta reported that DEEP released the draft Statewide Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Document and Appendices. Carboni summarized the TMDL and how it is used to protect and enhance water quality. He added that there will be two public meetings on October 30, 2024, via ZOOM and that public comments are due by December 13, 2024.

b. Connecticut Siting Council (CSC)

Comments recommended:

• Docket 526 (solar, Stonington)
  Aresta reported that Council staff 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. He reviewed the environmental characteristics of the proposed project and noted that draft comments have been developed that address farmland soils, wildlife, and water protection. Rodosevich questioned the flood zone in the project area and how the panels would be installed if located in a flood zone. There was general discussion regarding the timing for submitting comments for this proposed project to the CSC.
  
  
• Petition 1642 (energy, Danbury)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Eversource Energy for the Danbury Underground Cable Replacement Project that includes the replacement of its existing 115-kilovolt (kV) high pressure fluid filled (HPFF) electric transmission cables with new electric transmission cables along approximately 3.6 miles of existing and new right-of-way in Danbury. He added that most of the route would be within the streets and there would be a few locations where the Petitioner would install the cable beneath specific resources. He summarized the environmental characteristics of the project and noted that draft comments have been developed that address the provision of documentation, assessment of staging areas, and inspections.
  
  Bowers made a motion to approve the Council’s comments regarding Petition 1642; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.

No comments recommended at this time:

• Petition 1641 (telecom, West Haven)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Verizon Wireless to install a small wireless telecommunications facility on the roof of a hotel in West Haven. He summarized the proposed project and some of the characteristics of the proposed site.
  
  
• Petition 1643 (solar, Thompson)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from C-TEC Solar to develop and operate an approximately 3-MW solar PV facility to be located in Thompson. He summarized the proposed project and some of the characteristics of the proposed site.
  
  
• Petition 1644 (solar, Bristol)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from C-Tec Solar to develop and operate a 1.6-MW solar PV facility to be located at the former Bristol Landfill in Bristol. He summarized the proposed project and some of the characteristics of the proposed site.
  
  
• Petition 1645 (solar, Mansfield)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Verogy to develop and operate a 1.8-MW solar PV facility to be located at the former Mansfield landfill in Mansfield. He summarized the proposed project and some of the characteristics of the proposed site.
  
  
• Petition 1646 (energy storage, New Canaan)
  Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Kinsley Group to construct and operate a 688-kWh battery energy storage system to be located at the local YMCA in New Canaan. He summarized the proposed project and some of the characteristics of the proposed site.

Bowers questioned if data on solar power are included in the Council’s annual report. Aresta responded that data on solar capacity, solar energy production, and forest and agricultural land potentially impacted by solar projects, which are subject to CSC review, are included in the annual report.

7. Other Business

Ainsworth noted that Charles Vidich has nearly completed his 8-year term with the Council, and he recognized Vidich’s contributions to Council discussions.

Ainsworth asked if the Council members would be able to move the Council’s December meeting from December 18 to December 19. Rodosevich made a motion to reschedule the December 18 Council meeting to December 19; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.

Ainsworth noted that the Council’s next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2024, at 9:30 AM and it will be a remote meeting.

Bowers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:31 AM; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting was concluded.

A recording¹ 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.)

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