CBIA Members Engaged in Statewide Energy and Materials Plans

02.26.2016
Issues & Policies

Connecticut is developing significant revisions to two plans with significant implications for the state’s economic competitiveness, and CBIA members through its E2: Energy and Environment Council are involved in both efforts.
Materials management
Earlier this month, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection released a draft Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy that recommends a variety of actions aimed directly at achieving the state’s goal of 60% percent diversion from disposal by 2024.
One of the objectives of the draft plan states, “Corporations that design, produce, and market products must share responsibility for stewarding those materials in an environmentally sustainable manner.”
To meet these objectives, DEEP intends to, among other measures:

  • Increase state-led enforcement of existing recycling provisions
  • Create the regulatory environment and public incentives to make way for the development of new materials management infrastructure, with a focus on greener alternatives to existing waste-to-energy facilities
  • Align materials management planning and policy with the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and clean energy priorities.

DEEP will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 13, with sessions at 2 pm and 6 pm.
In addition to the public hearings, DEEP is also receiving written comments on the draft until April 8.
Written comments may be submitted via email or sent to:
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Attn. Lee Sawyer
MMCA
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
DEEP is also planning informal informational sessions in locations around the state. The final CMMS will be adopted on or before July 1, 2016.
Energy
Also under development are revisions to the state’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy, an assessment and strategy for all residential, commercial, and industrial energy issues.
DEEP has begun drafting revisions to this important document which it will soon issue for public comment. Businesses must be engaged in this dialogue to ensure that state policies and limited ratepayer funds are leveraged to the greatest extent possible.
The initial CES was issued in 2013 and included a series of policy proposals aimed at expanding energy choices, lowering utility bills, improving environmental conditions, creating clean energy jobs, and enhancing the quality of life in the state.
The strategy focused on five priority areas: energy efficiency, industrial energy needs, electricity supply including renewable power, natural gas, and transportation.
Connecticut has made great progress on addressing the issues of reliability and cleaner energy sources, but still has a long way to go to address the high cost of energy in our state and region.
For more information, contact Eric Brown (860.244.1926) | @CBIAericb

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