End in Sight for Transfer Act Reforms

Connecticut is on the brink of significant regulatory changes that promise to revitalize its economic landscape.

The state’s outdated Transfer Act, long criticized for stalling economic development, will soon be replaced by a more efficient release-based cleanup program.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection recently submitted new regulations to the Regulations Review Committee.

The committee rejected the 309-page regulatory proposal without prejudice March 25, allowing DEEP to make necessary revisions before resubmitting them at the next meeting. 

Over the last four years, CBIA’s members and partners have met monthly with DEEP and DECD officials to develop this framework to replace the Transfer Act.

Collaboration

The working group has met more than 50 times to collaborate and create a framework for the new program. 

“This has been an unparalleled level of collaboration between the business community and government,” CBIA senior public policy associate Pete Myers said.

“We look forward to continuing this collaboration in the years to come to improve these regulations.” 

“This has been an unparalleled level of collaboration between the business community and government.”

CBIA’s Pete Myers

The working group was led by DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, Deputy Commissioner Emma Cimino, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse chief Graham Stevens, and legal director Brendan Schain.

“We are thrilled to submit these transformative regulations to the General Assembly for review,” Dykes said last month.

“The release-based cleanup regulations are the result of thousands of hours of work over the last four years by DEEP and DECD staff, along with industry experts on the working group.”

Legislation

In support of these changes, CBIA and allied organizations have backed HB 7085, which the legislature’s Commerce Committee unanimously approved March 20.

This bill establishes a working group to continuously evaluate the new regulations and recommend improvements as they are implemented.

Myers emphasized the importance of this collaborative approach.

“We appreciate the committee’s efforts in ensuring that the working group and DEEP report back to this committee multiple times, as this will lead to the best development outcomes,” he said at the committee’s March 4 public hearing.

Connecticut can align with national best practices by adopting a release-based cleanup system.

The current Transfer Act has been largely ineffective, with only about 500 out of 5,000 sites successfully exiting the program.

This inefficiency has left many properties blighted and hindered economic growth across Connecticut.

As these regulations are rolled out and implemented, CBIA is committed to working with the committee, DEEP, and the Department of Economic and Community Development to create a transition plan for properties currently stuck in the old regulatory framework.

Connecticut can align with national best practices by adopting a release-based cleanup system, effectively remediate contaminated sites, and stimulate economic growth.

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Pete Myers (860.244.1921).