FirstLight CT Hydro LLC, Colebrook
Notice of Tentative Determination of Intent To Issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit For the Following Discharges Into The Waters of The State of Connecticut
1.0 TENTATIVE DECISION
The Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection hereby gives notice of a tentative determination to issue a permit based on an application and administrative record submitted by FirstLight CT Hydro 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 the discharge to the Still River will not cause pollution of the waters of the state.
2.0 APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL
FirstLight CT Hydro LLC proposes to discharge a maximum daily flow of 3,000 gallons per day of turbine leakage wastewaters to the Still River from power generating operations at a hydroelectric generation plant in Colebrook.
The name and mailing address of the permit applicant are:
FirstLight CT Hydro LLC
143 West Street, Suite E
New Milford, CT 06776.
The activity takes place at:
Old Creamery Road
Colebrook, CT 06021
3.0 REGULATORY CONDITIONS
3.1 Type of Treatment
DSN 101 and DSN 102: No treatment
3.2 Effluent Limitations
This permit contains effluent limitations for pH consistent with a case-by-case determination using the
criteria of Best Professional Judgement and which will protect the Water Quality Standards when the permittee complies with all permit requirements.
In accordance with Section 22a-430-4(l) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (“RCSA”), the permit contains effluent monitoring for total oil and grease.
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. 202206300 Permit No. CT0030812
Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from:
Kevin Gerardi
FirstLight CT Hydro LLC
143 West Street, Suite E
New Milford, CT 06776
(860) 915-1154
Kevin.Gerardi@firstlight.energy
The application is available for inspection by contacting Joseph Grandelski at 860-424-3608 or joseph.grandelski@ct.gov, at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 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 thirty (30) days of this public notice. Written comments should be directed to Joseph Grandelski, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 or joseph.grandelski@ct.gov. 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 for a hearing 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. 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 or may be mailed or delivered to DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, 3rd floor, Hartford, 06106-5127. 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 thirty (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
Published in the Hartford Courant on June 13, 2024.