FirstLight CT Housatonic LLC, New Milford- 10/8/25

Notice of Tentative Determination of Intent to Renew a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for Discharges into the Waters of the State of Connecticut

1.0 Tentative Decision
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“the Commissioner”) hereby gives notice of a tentative determination to renew a permit based on an application and administrative record submitted by FirstLight CT Housatonic LLC ("the Applicant") under Section 22a 430 of the Connecticut General Statutes ("CGS") for a permit to discharge into the waters of the state. 

In accordance with applicable federal and state law, the Commissioner has made a tentative determination that continuance of the existing system to treat the discharge would protect the waters of the state from pollution. The Commissioner proposes to renew a permit for the discharge to the Housatonic River. The proposed permit, if issued by the Commissioner, will require that all wastewaters be treated to meet the applicable effluent limitations. 

2.0 Applicant's Proposal
FirstLight CT Housatonic LLC located at 200 Kent Road, New Milford, CT 06776; presently discharges up to 1,440,000 gallons per day of turbine leakage, cooling water, groundwater, and miscellaneous non-process waters via DSN 001 from hydroelectric generation operations at a hydroelectric facility.  DSN 002 covers the discharge of up to 1,656,000 gallons per day of flood water in case of a facility flood.

The name and mailing address of the permit Applicant are: 
First Light CT Housatonic LLC 
143 West Street Suite E, New Milford, CT 06776.

3.0 Regulatory Conditions
3.1 Type of Treatment
DSN 101: Oil/water separator and oil skimming DSN 102: Surface oil removal

3.2 Effluent Limitations
This permit contains effluent limitations for oil and grease consistent with a case-by-case determination using the criteria of Best Professional Judgement and which will meet Water Quality Standards including the Anti Degradation Policy. In accordance with Section 22a 430 4(l) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies the permit contains Water Quality Based Effluent Limits for the following: pH, heavy metals, and toxicity.

4.0 Commissioner’s Authority
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to approve or deny such permits pursuant to Section 402(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 USC 1251, et. seq. and Section 22a 430 of the CGS and the Water Discharge Permit Regulations (Section 22a 430 3 and 4 of the RCSA).
                                       
5.0 Information Requests
The application has been assigned the following numbers by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Please use these numbers when corresponding with this office regarding this application.

Application No. 201502735     Permit No. CT0030287

Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from 
Kevin Gerardi, 
FirstLight CT Housatonic LLC, 
143 West Street Suite E, New Milford, 
CT 06776 
E-Mail: kevin.gerardi@firstlight.energy 
Phone No.: (203) 470-8366.

The application is available for inspection by contacting Patrick Bieger, Environmental Engineer II, at (860) 424-3805 or patrick.bieger@ct.gov, at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 061065127 from 8:30-4:30, Monday through Friday.

Any interested person may request in writing that his or her name be put on a mailing list to receive notice of intent to issue any permit to discharge to the surface waters of the state.  Such request may be for the entire state or any geographic area of the state and shall clearly state in writing the name and mailing address of the interested person and the area for which notices are requested.

6.0 Public Comment
Prior to making a final decision to approve or deny any application, the Commissioner shall consider written comments on the application from interested persons that are received within 30 days of this public notice.  Written comments should be directed to Patrick Bieger, Environmental Engineer II, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 061065127 or DEEP.IndustrialNPDESPublicComments@ct.gov and should indicate the Permit No. CT0030287 in the subject line.  The Commissioner may hold a public hearing prior to approving or denying an application if in the Commissioner's discretion the public interest will be best served thereby and shall hold a hearing upon receipt of a petition signed by at least twenty  five persons. Notice of any public hearing shall be published at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing.

7.0 Petitions for Hearing
Petitions shall be submitted within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this public notice and should include the application number noted above and also identify a contact person to receive notifications. Petitions may also identify a person who is authorized to engage in discussions regarding the application and, if resolution is reached, withdraw the petition. Upon receipt of a petition, the Commissioner shall take action as required by relevant laws, including Public Act 25-84, which was effective upon passage in June 2025. The Office of Adjudications will accept electronically-filed petitions for hearing in addition to those submitted by mail or hand-delivered. Petitions with required signatures may be sent to deep.adjudications@ct.gov; those mailed or delivered should go to the DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106. If the signed original petition is only in an electronic format, the petition must be submitted with a statement signed by the petitioner that the petition exists only in that form. Original petitions that were filed electronically must also be mailed or delivered to the Office of Adjudications within 30 days of electronic submittal. Additional information can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/adjudications.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov. Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program, or event.

/s/Audra Dickson, Director
Water Permitting and Enforcement Division
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection