Council on Environmental Quality Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the April 23, 2025, meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality (Council) held via Zoom.
MEMBERS PRESENT: (remote) Keith Ainsworth (Acting Chair), Denise Rodosevich, Linda Bowers, Christopher Donnelly, Aimee Petras, David Kalafa, Timothy Bishop, 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)), Eric Hammerling (DEEP), Laschone P. Garrison, (DEEP), Justine Phillips-Gallucci (Office of Policy and Management (OPM)), Bruce Wittchen (OPM) and Becca Dahl (OPM). Members of the public that spoke: Diane Hoffman, Shirley McCarthy, and Representative Joseph Gresko.
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.
Ainsworth noted Earth Day and commented on proposed federal policy and regulatory changes to environmental protection. He noted that Connecticut has some of the most stringent and forward-thinking environmental regulations and schemes. He added that the Release Based Remediation Program, which would replace the Connecticut Real Property Transfer Act, was approved by the Legislative Review Committee.
2. Approval of minutes of March 26, 2025
Warzecha made a motion to approve the draft meeting minutes from March 26, 2025; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved unanimously.
Ainsworth made a motion to amend the agenda to add Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Petition 1655 to the end of the agenda, if time allows; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Citizen Comment Period
Diane Hoffman and Shirley McCarthy stated their support for trees. Diane Hoffman noted that the Council usually only comments on tree issues if a project/action effects core forests, and suggested that the Council consider recommending compensatory tree replacement in the municipalities impacted by tree loses. Shirley McCarthy noted the environmental and health benefits that trees provide.
4. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received
- Carboni reported that the Council received various inquiries regarding wildlife, solid waste management, and discharges of pool water. He added that Council staff provided the individuals with appropriate contact information for the relevant departments at DEEP that might be able to resolve these inquiries.
- Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry from a municipality regarding the possible use of funds from the Nips surcharge. He added that Council staff discussed the provisions of the law that describe how the funds can be used.
- Carboni reported that the Council received a letter with a suggestion for compensatory tree replacement for certain projects that would result in tree removal and information about the health benefits of trees.
- Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry/complaint regarding a proposed trash to energy facility in Plainfield. He added that Council staff responded that a trash to energy facility would likely need various permits and authorizations from DEEP, and suggested that there would likely be opportunities for public participation.
Warzecha and Ainsworth questioned the discharge of pool water to Long Island Sound. Aresta responded that Council staff directed the inquiry to DEEP and provided information regarding the general permit for the discharge of pool water.
Donnelly noted that compensatory tree replacement is a concept that is used nationally in a number of places. He added that the city of Hartford has an ordinance for tree replacement, and noted there is state policy to increase canopy cover in environmental justice communities.
5. Executive Director’s Report
- Annual Report
Aresta noted that the annual report is nearly complete, and he would relocate the biographical information for a former Council member in the draft annual report. Donnelly and Bishop indicated that their biographical information needed to be updated. Kalafa noted his objection to using the term “war” in the transmittal letter, and suggested using a different phrase such as “at severe odds”. Donnelly suggested that the transmittal letter should focus on what the Council has done and the importance of the Council's work. Rodosevich suggested including a sentence at the beginning of the letter about changes in federal policies to catch the interest of the reader, followed by information about the Council’s work and annual report. Ainsworth noted that proposed changes in federal policies might impact the ability to advocate and regulate for the benefit of the environment and the public. There was additional discussion regarding the tone and content of the transmittal letter. Bowers questioned if the Council’s recommendations align with the Governor’s or the legislature’s proposed budget. Aresta responded that the recommendations include a provision for additional resources for agencies for environmental protection.
Kalafa made a motion to approve the draft annual report; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
6. State Agency Actions
a. DEEP
- Release-Based Remediation Program (RBRP) – Update
Aresta summarized the brief working group meeting held by DEEP on April 8. He noted that there were no materials to review, and that DEEP indicated that a questions and answers document for the RBRP was being developed. He added that the Regulations Review Committee approved the draft regulations for the RBRP with some technical corrections.
- Draft Forest Management Plan (FMP) for Pachaug State Forest Wyassup Block
Aresta noted that the Wyassup Block of the Pachaug State Forest, which is located in North Stonington, totals approximately 2,700 acres. He noted that the draft FMP identifies various land management activities that would be implemented over the next 10 years, including silviculture, herbicide treatments for invasive species, and forestry mowing. He added that draft comments have been developed that address old forest management, wetlands and vernal pools, core forests, hazard trees, wildlife, cultural sites, invasive species, the information in Maps C and F, and some redacted text.
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) (General Permit)
Aresta noted that DEEP is proposing to update the General Permit that authorizes the discharge of stormwater from MS4 to waters of the state. He added that the General Permit relies heavily on the development and implementation of a Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) for the MS4 with annual reporting. He reviewed the “minimum control measures” identified in the General Permit for the SMP. He noted that draft comments have been developed that address clarification and enforceability of the permit, emerging contaminants, endangered species, aquifer protection, registration information, typographic errors, mapping of certain land uses, outfall prioritization, and screening of illicit discharges.
Donnelly made a motion to approve the draft comments for the FMP for the Wyassup Block and the General Permit; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
- General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewater Associated with Food Service Establishments (General Permit)
Carboni noted that DEEP is proposing changes to the General Permit that authorizes wastewater discharge from a food establishment to a sanitary sewer collection system and then to a sewage treatment plant. He added that the primary focus of this General Permit is to limit the amount of fats, oil and grease (FOG) from entering sewage collection and treatment systems. He noted that no comments are recommended.
b. Connecticut Siting Council (CSC)
Comments recommended
- Petition 1660 (solar, Naugatuck)
Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal to construct and operate a 1.9-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic facility in Naugatuck. He reviewed some of the environmental characteristics of the proposed project and site and noted that draft comments have been developed that address core forest, wildlife, and prime farmland soils. Bowers suggested that the draft comments be revised to indicate that the negative impacts associated with the removal of trees for the proposed project outweigh the positive benefits. There was general discussion regarding the removal of trees on private property and the statutes that govern the removal of trees on forest land. Representative Gresko noted that the legislature approved legislation that requires consideration of impacts to core forests and prime farmland.
Ainsworth made a motion to approve the draft comments for Petition 1660 with an amendment to indicate that the Council continues to be concerned with the loss of forest land for the installation of solar power, and in this case, the amount of impact appears to be disproportionate to the benefits that would be gained; seconded by Kalafa. The motion was approved unanimously.
No comments recommended at this time:
- Docket 533 (telecom, Naugatuck)
Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Verizon Wireless to construct a 150-foot monopole tower within a fenced facility on a developed parcel in Naugatuck.
- Petition 1659 (telecom, Mansfield)
Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Verizon Wireless to install a small cell wireless telecommunications facility on the roof of the East Brook Mall in Mansfield.
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Petition 1661 (energy, Stamford)Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Eversource Energy to replace and relocate its existing 115-kilovolt (kV) high pressure fluid filled (HPFF) electric transmission cables with electric transmission cables that do not contain fluids along approximately 5.2 miles in Stamford. Bishop questioned if the Petitioner addressed how the Petitioner would address the removal of the fluids within the existing cables and potential leaks. Aresta responded that the Petitioner 1) identified how the fluid filled cables would be removed in the petition materials, and 2) referenced its best management practices. Aresta added that most of the proposed route would be located within the paved roads.
- Petition 1278c (fuel cell, North Haven)
Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Bloom Energy to develop and operate an additional fuel cell installation totaling approximately one MW within the Medtronic, Inc. complex in North Haven.
- Dockets 534 and 535 (telecom, Woodstock)
Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed two proposals, each for 150-tall telecommunications towers in the Town of Woodstock, and that the proposed towers would be approximately 3.3 miles from each other. Aresta questioned whether the Council should develop comments to recommend that the Applicant evaluate using one tower at another site to provide service to the desired service area for both towers. Ainsworth noted that current wireless technology might not be able to provide adequate service to the proposed coverage area from just one tower.
Carboni and Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed the proposals for the two telecommunications facilities in Woodstock. Carboni and Aresta noted that the proposed facility described in Docket 534 would be located at a developed site adjacent to an existing commercial facility, and the proposed facility described in Docket 535 would be located at an agricultural site and would utilize an existing farm road for access to the proposed facility.
c. Legislature
- Status of proposed legislation for which the Council provided testimony
Aresta noted that he developed several slides that list the proposed legislation for which the Council provided testimony and their current status. He noted the changes to the text for the proposed constitutional amendment and the legislation that would limit appeals under the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) (proposed House Bill 6249). Ainsworth discussed recent efforts to undermine the provisions of CEPA. Representative Gresko noted that the proposed bill is a priority for the House Majority Leader.
7. Other Business
Aresta noted that the Council submitted comments for CSC Petition 1655. He reported that a review of the Petitioner’s response to a CSC interrogatory indicated that DEEP noted the potential presence of a special concern species and an endangered species that utilize a host plant found on the proposed site. He added that DEEP’s email included a request for additional information and the Petitioner stated that they did not intend to take further action regarding DEEP’s request. Aresta questioned if the Council should provide an additional comment to encourage the Petitioner to adhere to DEEP’s request for additional information and any protective measures that might be forthcoming.
Ainsworth made a motion that the Council submit an additional comment to the CSC for Petition 1655 indicating that the Council is concerned with the Petitioner's response to DEEP’s recommendation to identify and avoid the host plant species upon which an endangered or listed species is dependent, and that identification and avoidance be required in the permit; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.
Ainsworth noted that the Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2025.
Bowers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:19 AM; seconded by Bishop. 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.)
1Passcode: R@Jw@4!!