Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

FirstLight CT Hydro LLC, Norwich

Notice of Tentative Decision of Intent to Issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for the Following Discharges into the Waters of the State of Connecticut

TENTATIVE DECISION
The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection (“the Commissioner”) hereby gives notice of a tentative decision to issue a permit based on an application 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 decision that the discharge would not cause pollution of the waters of the state and the Commissioner proposes to issue a permit for the discharge to Shetucket River.

The proposed permit, if issued by the Commissioner, will require that the wastewater meets applicable effluent limitations and periodic monitoring to demonstrate that the discharge will not cause pollution.

APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL
Firstlight CT Hydro LLC proposes to discharge a maximum daily flow of 69,120 gallons per day of turbine leakage to the Shetucket River from operations at a hydroelectric power generation facility in Taftville.

The name and mailing address of the permit applicant are: 

Firstlight CT Hydro LLC
111 South Bedford Street, Suite 103
Burlington, MA 01803  

The activity takes place at:

Junction of Routes 169 and 97
Taftville, CT 06380 

REGULATORY CONDITIONS

Type of Treatment

DSN 001, 002: No treatment

Effluent Limitations

This permit contains effluent limitations applicable to the external outfalls consistent with case-by-case determination using the criteria of Best Professional Judgement. These effluent limits will prevent an exceedance of the Water Quality Standards when the Applicant complies with all permit requirements. 

In accordance with Section 22a 430 4(l) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the permit contains effluent limitations for pH and monitoring requirements for oil and grease. Refer to the fact sheet for additional information.

COMMISSIONER’S AUTHORITY
The Commissioner 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 Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies).
                                     
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. 202201758          PERMIT ID NO. CT0030815   

Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from:
 
Daniel Timlake 
Firstlight CT Hydro LLC
111 South Bedford Street, Suite 103
Burlington MA, 01803
Daniel.timlake@firstlightpower.com 
Phone No.: (860) 350-3617

The application is available for inspection by contacting Patrick Bieger 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 06106-5127 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, 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.

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, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 061065127 or Patrick.bieger@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 30 days prior to the hearing.

Petitions for a hearing 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. Original signed petitions may
be scanned and sent electronically to deep.adjudications@ct.gov or may be mailed or delivered to: DEEP Office of Adjudications, 79 Elm Street, 3rd floor, Hartford, 06106-5127. All petitions must be received within the comment period noted above. If submitted electronically, original signed petitions must also be mailed or delivered to the address above within ten days of electronic submittal. If a hearing is held, timely notice of such hearing will be published in a newspaper of general circulation. For additional information go to 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 Norwich Bulletin on October 3, 2024. 

Draft Permit

Fact Sheet