Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
10/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2024 09:43
DEEP and DECD Remind Residents of Opportunity to Provide Comment on Proposed Release-based Regulations
Press Releases
10/10/2024
DEEP and DECD Remind Residents of Opportunity to Provide Comment on Proposed Release-based Regulations
Public Comment Period Ends Oct. 24; Regulations will Transition Connecticut to a More Equitable, Modern System to Clean Up Polluted Properties and Spur Development
(HARTFORD)-Today the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) are reminding the public that DEEP is accepting comments on the proposed Release Based Cleanup Regulations through October 24, 2024. These modernized regulations will remove barriers to cleaning pollution and return more polluted sites to productive use. This new, improved, process will replace the outdated Transfer Act with a practical system that relies on market-driven investigations to discover and clean up pollution.
In 1985, Connecticut adopted the Transfer Act to help address pollution in the land and waters of the state. The Transfer Act requires pollution to be investigated and remediated, and was adopted well before many other states were focusing on pollution clean-up. However, since 1985, 48 other states have taken a more modern and effective approach. As other states have found a better way, the Transfer Act has become a deterrent to investment: since the 1980s, fewer than 400 of the 3,000 Connecticut properties in the Transfer Act process have been remediated.
That's why DEEP and DECD, after receiving legislative direction in 2020, teamed up with legislative leaders, municipalities, developers, environmental consultants and attorneys, and other environmental leaders to learn from the successes of our neighbors and replace the Transfer Act with this "release-based" cleanup program. The proposed regulations have been developed over nearly four years of effort by this working group.
A release-based cleanup program relies on this market-driven investigation to discover historical releases of pollution. If an investigation uncovers pollution, that pollution will be cleaned up to a uniform standard on all properties, regardless of whether the land had historically been used as a factory, auto body shop,or a park. This approach is a more efficient use of the money and resources dedicated to investigation and remediation of pollution and will ensure more polluted properties are cleaned up, leading to better environmental and economic outcomes.
"After four years of extensive engagement with stakeholders across the state, we are thrilled to be on the cusp of finalizing this new regulatory structure that will transform Connecticut's economy and clean up thousands of polluted sites," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "DEEP has worked hard to incorporate the feedback we've received through these thousands of hours of public engagement, as well as the feedback received during the public comment period. As we enter the final two weeks of the public comment period, we look forward to strengthening the final draft regulation based on the input we will receive, so that we can successfully obtain legislative approval in the new year for this new, modern cleanup framework for Connecticut."
"We estimate passage of these reforms will have significant economic benefits, generating more than 2,100 new construction jobs, $3.78 billion in new GDP growth, and $115 million in new revenue for the state over the next five years alone," said DECD Commissioner Daniel O'Keefe. "We encourage folks to get their comments in by Oct. 24th as we work toward finalizing these regulations and delivering a better framework to address contaminated properties."
Together, DEEP and DECD have hosted several workshops and public presentations to inform Connecticut residents about these regulations. Many of these sessions were recorded and are available on DEEP's website along with other helpful materials.
With two weeks remaining in this public comment period, DEEP and DECD are eager to hear from stakeholders and residents across the state about these draft regulations. Interested parties can review and comment on the draft regulations using the state's eRegulations website. DEEP maintains a webpage with more information here.
Read Commissioner Dykes and Commissioner O'Keefe's op-ed about why the time is now for Connecticut to move to a release-based system here: CT must adopt more equitable, modern system to clean up polluted properties, spur development | Hartford Business JournalTwitter: @CTDEEPNewsFacebook: DEEP on FacebookContact
DEEP Communications
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