Council on Environmental Quality Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the July 23, 2025, meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality (Council) held via Zoom.
MEMBERS PRESENT: (Remote) Keith Ainsworth (Acting Chair), Christopher Donnelly, Linda Bowers, Aimee Petras, David Kalafa, William Warzecha, Cinzia Lettieri, and Denise Rodosevich.
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), Bruce Wittchen (Office of Policy and Management (OPM), Becca Dahl (OPM), and Justine Phillips-Gallucci (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. Chair’s Report
Ainsworth introduced a new Council member - Cinzia Lettieri.
Warzecha made a motion to revise the Council meeting agenda to add Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Petition 1395b to the agenda; seconded by Petras. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Approval of minutes of June 25, 2025
Rodosevich made a motion to approve the draft minutes from the Council’s meeting on June 25, 2025; seconded by Petras. The motion was approved unanimously with Kalafa, Warzecha and Lettieri abstaining.
4. Citizen Comment Period
There were no citizen comments.
5. Citizen Complaints and Inquiries Received
- Carboni reported that the Council was copied on emails from individuals that were concerned about the use of herbicides to treat hydrilla. Carboni added that an individual also contacted the Council directly for more information on the proposed application of herbicides to treat hydrilla and any potential impacts on fisheries resources. He added that Council staff provided the requested information regarding the United States Army Corps of Engineers project and DEEP’s role.
- Carboni reported that the Council received an inquiry regarding water quality of a pond at a golf course in Middletown. He added that Council staff provided the individual with contact information for DEEP’s Land and Water Resource Division. Warzecha noted that DEEP had developed a resource that addressed water issues associated with golf courses.
- Aresta reported that the Council received an inquiry regarding adherence to the findings in an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for a wastewater project in Mansfield. He added that a resident was concerned that a parcel might be sold and developed, and that the resident raised a question regarding the extent to which DEEP ensures that requirements in an agreement for a project or action are adhered to. Ainsworth noted that this issue was raised previously regarding the use of wastewater conveyance infrastructure and economic development. Rodosevich commented that provisions in an agreement or contract should be enforced or removed. Kalafa noted that it would be the sponsoring agency's responsibility for monitoring and enforcement of any provisions in an agreement.
Rodosevich made a motion to inquire to DEEP if there is an audit provision for agreements/contracts, and if so, what is the enforcement mechanism; seconded by Donnelly. The motion was approved unanimously.
6. Executive Director’s Report
- Annual Report Subcommittee
Aresta noted that the subcommittee for the 2025 annual report met on July 16 and discussed the survey form for the 2025 Nips survey and the format and content of the 2025 annual report.
- Federal Local Bridge Program - South River Road #2 Bridge, Tolland
Carboni noted that the Council received a press release regarding the proposed bridge replacement project for the South River Road Bridge over the Willimantic River. He added that Council staff reviewed the project location for any potential impacts to environmental resources and developed comments that addressed wildlife and wetlands. Rodosevich suggested providing a copy of the letter to DEEP’s NDDB and DEEP’s Fisheries Division. Warzecha suggested adding a recommendation that the project implement measures to better protect nearby drinking water supply aquifers.
Rodosevich made a motion to approve the draft letter with the suggested changes; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.
- Website accessibility
Aresta reported that the Council has been informed that several webpages on the Council’s website might not meet accessibility requirements and that staff will meet with the Department of Administrative Services to review what needs to be corrected. Ainsworth and Donnelly expressed support for ensuring that the Council’s website is compliant with accessibility requirements.
7. State Agency Actions
a. DEEP
- Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) Year 7 Procurement
Aresta noted that DEEP issued a request for written comments regarding DEEP’s recommendations for the Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) Year 7 procurement. He added that draft comments have been developed that support the existing bid preferences for energy installations on landfills, brownfields, and canopies on developed land, and include a suggestion for a bid preference for the installation of eligible technologies on rooftops and commercial/industrial land. Rodosevich commented that it might be appropriate to suggest a bid preference for developers/companies that have robust community involvement programs and/or those that ensure that the benefits of a clean energy program, meaning lower energy rates, are realized by the distressed community. Aresta commented on the possible bid preference for rooftop installations and noted that some distressed communities are in urban areas that might have structures that could support solar installations on roofs and in commercial/industrial areas.
- Draft General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Construction Activities (General Permit)
Aresta noted that DEEP’s draft General Permit would authorize the discharge of stormwater from construction activities with a total disturbance of one (1) or more acres of land area, certain non-stormwater discharges, and emergency construction activities. He added that draft comments have been developed that address certain provisions of the draft General Permit. Rodosevich suggested changes to the draft comments that address the following:
1) Section 3.1 - require that all reasonable measures to minimize adverse impacts resulting from short-term emergency discharges be implemented immediately following the emergency (e.g. flooding);
2) Section 3.5 – require revision of the Stormwater Pollution Control Plan (SPCP) and certification for changes to the disturbed area that could impact impaired waters, High Quality Waters, cold water habitat, or aquifer protection areas; and
3) Section 5.2.5.2 – require that, if the control measure and the initial “fix” fails, the designing qualified professional should be required to immediately investigate and develop a revised control measure to remedy the failure.
There was general discussion regarding the proposed changes to the draft General Permit suggested by Rodosevich, the applicability of other provisions of the General Permit, timing for revisions to the SPCP, and how best to remedy control measures that are not effective.
Rodosevich made a motion to approve the Council’s draft comments regarding the draft General Permit with the suggested changes; seconded by Petras. Donnelly and Ainsworth expressed concerns for the suggested change to section 5.2.5.2 and noted that sometimes the “fix’ might require more than one try to remedy the situation versus requiring the design of a new control measure. The motion was approved with Ainsworth and Donnelly voting no, and Kalafa and Lettieri abstaining.
Donnelly made a motion to approve the Council’s draft comments regarding the SCEF Program Year 7 as drafted; seconded by Warzecha. The motion was approved unanimously.
- Draft 2025 Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan
Carboni noted that DEEP and its conservation partners are revising the Connecticut Wildlife Action Plan (WAP), which identifies species of greatest conservation need, priority habitats, conservation actions, and issues that impact wildlife. He added that Council staff reviewed the WAP and intends to use the WAP as a reference when drafting comments for environmental reviews.
b. Connecticut Siting Council (CSC)
Comments recommended:
- Petition 1674 (solar, Woodbridge)
Carboni noted that Council staff reviewed a proposal by Green Skies Clean Energy LLC to construct and operate a 1.99-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in Woodbridge. He reviewed some environmental characteristics of the proposed site and noted that draft comments have been developed that address wildlife, farmland soils, and drinking water.
- Petition 1678 (energy, Stratford – Milford)
Aresta noted that Council staff reviewed a proposal by Eversource Energy to replace structures and reconductor the electric transmission lines along approximately 2.17 miles of its existing 115-kilovolt (kV) right-of-way (ROW) and approximately 0.17 miles on each side of the Housatonic River Crossing. He added that the proposed structure replacements are needed because of either asset condition, overstress, and/or meeting vertical clearance requirements. Aresta noted that draft comments were developed that address wildlife; wetlands and vernal pools; the ash landfill; vegetation; and spill prevention.
- Petition 1679 (energy, Middletown - East Hampton)
Carboni noted that Council staff reviewed a proposal by Eversource Energy to replace structures and reconductor the electric transmission lines along approximately 2.4 miles of its existing 115- kV ROW and associated Connecticut River Crossing in Middletown, East Hampton, and Haddam. He reviewed some environmental characteristics of the proposed project and noted that draft comments have been developed that address the availability/documentation; vegetation/tree removal; vernal pools, watercourses, wetlands; spill prevention; and inspections. Ainsworth noted that he represents an organization involved with this proceeding and he will recuse himself from voting on possible comments for this Petition. Ainsworth provided a brief history of the regulatory approval of the overhead crossing of the Connecticut River. There was general discussion regarding consideration for installing the electric transmission lines underground at the Connecticut River, potential impacts on water resources and wetlands from the proposed work, and maintenance for underground electric transmission lines. Kalafa and Lettieri suggested that the draft comments be revised to include consideration of 1) installing the electric transmission wires under the Connecticut River, and 2) the potential environmental impacts of installing the wires underground.
Donnelly made a motion to approve the Council’s comments regarding Petition 1674; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
Lettieri made a motion to approve the Council’s comments regarding Petition 1678 amended to include consideration of installing the electric transmission wires underground and the potential environmental impacts; seconded by Bowers.
The motion was approved unanimously.Lettieri made a motion to approve the Council’s comments regarding Petition 1679 amended to include consideration of installing the electric transmission wires underground and the potential environmental impacts; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously with Ainsworth abstaining.
No comments recommended:
- Petition 1675 (solar, Woodbridge)
Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Greenskies Clean Energy LLC to construct and operate a 4.25-MW solar PV system in Woodbridge. He noted some environmental characteristics of the proposed site and project.
- Petition 1676 (fuel cell, Hartford)
Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Homestead Fuel Cell, LLC to construct and operate a 7.5-MW fuel cell facility in Hartford. He noted some characteristics of the proposed site and project.
- Docket 541 (telecom, Windham)
Carboni reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Towers LLC to construct a telecommunications facility in Windham. He noted some environmental characteristics of the proposed site and project.
- Petition 1677 (telecom, Killingworth)
Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Cellco/Verizon to install antennas on an existing tower and expand the facility compound. He noted some characteristics of the proposed site and project.
- Petition 1395b (solar, Ansonia)
Aresta reported that Council staff reviewed a proposal from Windham Solar LLC to add an additional 1.0-MW solar project adjacent to an existing approximately 2-MW solar facility in Ansonia. He noted some environmental characteristics of the proposed site and project.
8. Other Business
Aresta noted that the Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for August 27, 2025, and it will be a remote meeting.
Lettieri made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 AM; seconded by Petras. 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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