DEP Nears End of Solid Waste Management Planning Process
In concert with stakeholders and consulting firm R.W. Beck, the CT DEP is finishing drafts of its solid waste management plan. The DEP has posted information on the planning process and draft sections on the DEP website. The public can submit informal comments on the preliminary draft plan prior to January 11th. Formal comments may be made on the proposed plan following public notice. Public hearings will also be held. The final plan is expected to be released in March 2006.
In early November, DEP released a draft document of certain sections of the proposed State Solid Waste Management Plan. It contained the Vision Statement; Guiding Principles; Goals; and Objectives and Strategies. Among the most significant proposals being made include (1) have reliable, stable sources of funding in place to support programs at the state, regional and municipal levels; (2) aggressively reduce the amount of waste disposed through increased recycling and composting programs; and (3) monitor available disposal capacity to ensure the State's interests are being met and assign high priority to any applications for new capacity when it is determined to be needed.
The draft document was discussed at the DEP External Stakeholders Committee meeting in November. The DEP expects to have a complete draft Plan in mid-January.
Energetically Protecting Connecticut's Environment
Clean energy is not something we just talk about at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). On November 2, DEP become the first and only Connecticut state agency to take advantage of the new clean energy option and is now all of the agency's electrical power comes from renewable energy. The energy will come from wind, landfill gases, and small hydroelectric plants. DEP's mission is to protect all facets of the environment of the state: we maintain our beautiful state parks, protect our land, water and air, and provide education to the public. You may recall from previous newsletter articles that DEP employees recycle and compost at its headquarters. And the recent switch to purchasing of clean energy is another example of DEP's effort to practice what it preaches.
The first step was to invest in energy conservation and efficiency. For example, DEP made improvements in windows, installed more efficient fluorescent fixtures, occupancy sensor lighting controls, and an energy management system. In June 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored DEP and the CT Department of Public Works for making these significant improvements in its 75-year old building with an Energy Star Label for superior energy efficiency.
DEP's recent move to purchase "clean" power is helping the State move towards a goal of obtaining 20% of its power from renewable sources by 2010. Although the clean energy option is currently more expensive, as more Connecticut businesses and residents sign up, we may see a decrease in that cost over time, but we will reap the environmental benefits of less polluted air right away. For example, DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy remarked that by switching to clean power, the DEP will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 3,716 tons per year or the equivalent of taking 730 cars off the road. In addition, we are taking one more step to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.
DEP employees are also taking their commitment to environment out of the office -- 70 employees so far have signed up to buy clean power for their homes. This represents a savings per household of 11 barrels of oil each year. Customers of Connecticut Light & Power or United Illuminating can choose to purchase clean energy for their homes or businesses. To date, about 5,500 customers have chosen this option. Throughout Connecticut, there are now 16 towns that are also committed to buying clean energy and are encouraging their local residents, businesses, and institutions to do so.
Everything...Including the Kitchen Sink: An Update
On October 15, The ReCONNstruction Center, a non-profit building materials re-use store, celebrated its grand opening at 230 South Street in New Britain. The day was a sweet reward for the volunteer members who have been working hard for the past three years to make their vision a reality. Despite the rain, a steady stream of customers purchased everything from windows and doors to hardware and molding. The most commonly heard phrase of the day was "This is such a great idea…I'll be back with my friends".
The ReCONNstruction Center functions similarly to a Salvation Army thrift shop, except that instead of accepting clothing and household goods, the Center accepts donations of unwanted, but perfectly usable building materials. These materials are inventoried, priced, and displayed at the store. Each donor receives a receipt with a description of the donated materials that can be used to claim a tax deduction. You too can show your support for the environment by purchasing, donating, or volunteering. Regular store hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 7 a.m. - noon; Thursday & Friday 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visit the website for more information.
A Bright Idea
Open a newspaper or turn on the TV, and there's bound to be a news story on the cost of fuel and electricity. One simple thing that all of us can do to conserve energy is to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). By replacing one incandescent light bulb in every U.S. home with an Energy Star compact fluorescent lamp can save the nation $600 million in energy costs. That is enough energy to light 7 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 million cars.
Pauline Blackstock of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wanted to make it even easier for her co-workers to switch to CFLs so she helped organize an Energy Star Lighting Sale at the DEP headquarters earlier this year. Several styles of Energy Star CFLs were sold, many for only $1.00. Torchiere floor lamps and Tiffany and Euro style desks lamps were also sold at prices ranging from $5.00 - $20.00. Participation was phenomenal, with employees purchasing a total of 4,191 CFLs, 201 desk lamps and 477 torchieres for use at home. Savings on energy bills from the use of these items for the first year is $119,000, and over $1 million during operational lifetime. Another benefit of replacing their lighting is that air pollution will be reduced - resulting in the equivalent of removing 1,425 cars off the road for a year.
The lighting sale is a program of the CT Energy Efficiency Fund and is funded by the Conservation Charge on customer electricity bills. The State Office Building in Hartford and the Department of Social Services also held similar Energy Star Lighting Sales.
Fact Sheets Available on Automobiles and Wood Stoves
Driving a car has a significant impact on the environment, from the resources used to manufacture of the vehicle, how we drive and how much, to the final disposal of the vehicle. DEP's new fact sheet Reducing your Environmental Footprint: Information on Purchasing a Vehicle, Driving, and Maintenance Tips provides ideas on how you can reduce these impacts.
Using wood stoves can significantly contribute to air pollution. The new fact sheet Wood Stoves provides tips if you are considering burning wood, including are ways to reduce this pollution, such as using a certified stove and burning cleaner and more efficiently.