Council on Environmental Quality Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the March 5, 2025, special meeting of the Council on Environmental Quality (Council or CEQ) held via Zoom.
MEMBERS PRESENT: (Remote) Keith Ainsworth (Acting Chair), Derek Phelps, Christopher Donnelly Linda Bowers, Aimee Petras, and Denise Rodosevich.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Aresta (Council - Executive Director), Ryan Carboni (Council – Environmental Analyst), Eric Hammerling (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)), Jordan DiDomenico (DEEP), and Bruce Wittchen (Office of Policy and Management (OPM)).
1. Call to Order: Establishment of a Quorum
At 2:00 PM, Ainsworth called the meeting to order, took attendance, and confirmed that there was a quorum of Council members present.
2. Consideration of CEQ Position on Pending 2025 Legislative Bills Related to Environmental Policy
Phelps and Ainsworth discussed the role of the Council regarding if, when, and how the Council should provide comments to the legislature. Ainsworth suggested that providing comments to the legislature could raise the Council’s profile, and that part of the Council’s mission is to be visible on matters of environmental policy. Donnelly suggested that the Council should be strategic in the comments that it provides, and it would be appropriate to provide comments on environmental matters that align with the Council’s goals. Council members discussed the following proposed bills: House Bill (HB) 6249 - An Act Limiting Appeals Under the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act; HB 5749 - An Act Concerning Advanced Septic Systems With Nitrogen-Removal Features; HB 6229 – An Act Concerning a Reduction of Single-Use Plastics and Polystyrene Waste; Senate Bill (SB) 647 - An Act Concerning Protections for Consumer Access to Affordable Electricity; SB 1403 - An Act Concerning Brownfield Remediation; and SB 4 - An Act Concerning Energy Affordability, Access and Accountability. The Council also discussed the following concepts: the park replacement statute; Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); DEEP's review of surplus state property; and sewage right to know.
Council members discussed the Council’s position on the proposed bills and concepts, and voted whether to draft testimony, provided the proposed bills become the subject of a public hearing, as follows:
- Proposed HB 6249 - Rodosevich made a motion to draft testimony opposing HB 6249; seconded by Bowers. Phelps noted a concern that the proposed bill’s focus is on legal engagement. The motion was approved, with Phelps voting no.
- Proposed HB 6229 - Phelps made a motion to draft testimony in support of HB 6229; seconded by Rodosevich. The motion was approved unanimously.
- Park replacement statute - Ainsworth made a motion to draft testimony in support of legislation related to the park replacement statute; seconded by Rodosevich. Ainsworth noted that the proposed bill would clarify the intent of the existing statute regarding the “taking” and replacement of park land. The motion was approved unanimously.
- PFAS - Rodosevich made a motion to draft testimony related to PFAS; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved, with Donnelly abstaining.
- DEEP’s review of surplus state property - Phelps made a motion to draft testimony in support of legislation if it relates to the state’s retention of public lands, seconded by Rodosevich. Ainsworth provided a summary of the process for the disposition of state land. The motion was approved, with Donnelly abstaining.
- Proposed SB 647 - Rodosevich moved to table consideration of SB 647 until the next regular meeting; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved unanimously.
- Proposed SB 1403 - Donnelly made a motion to draft testimony in support of SB 1403, seconded by Phelps. Donnelly commented that hindering the development of a brownfield sites encourages the development of “greenfield” sites. Phelps noted that the Council should be commenting on legislation that supports policy issues related to the remediation and development of brownfield sites. The motion was approved unanimously.
Rodosevich made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:21 PM; seconded by Bowers. The motion was approved unanimously, and the meeting 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: ^zDjtr3H