Connecticut Senate Bill SB00350

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/15
• Refer: 1/22/15

Caption

An Act Requiring The Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection To Adopt Regulations Prior To Changing The Terms Of Any Wastewater Permit.

Impact

The proposed regulations outlined in SB00350 are set to have a significant impact on the operational authority of DEEP and the way it manages wastewater permits. By requiring legislative approval for any changes, the bill aims to enhance the rights of municipalities and ensure that they are better protected against unexpected and unilateral changes that may not align with local needs or concerns. Furthermore, this could lead to increased collaboration and dialogue between state agencies and local governments, fostering a more cooperative approach to environmental management.

Summary

SB00350 is a legislative proposal initiated by Senator Fasano aimed at establishing stricter oversight on changes to wastewater permits administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Under this bill, DEEP would be prohibited from altering the terms of any existing wastewater permit unless such changes have gone through a formal regulatory process that includes scrutiny and approval by the legislature's Regulations Review Committee. The intent of this bill is to safeguard municipalities by ensuring that state-level changes to environmental permits are subjected to adequate legislative oversight, thus promoting transparency and accountability in environmental governance.

Contention

The bill may encounter points of contention, particularly regarding the balance of power between state agencies and local municipalities. Supporters argue that the bill is necessary to prevent arbitrary and potentially harmful changes to permits that could adversely affect local communities. Opponents, however, may view this requirement as an additional layer of bureaucracy that could slow down the regulatory process and hinder DEEP's ability to respond promptly to environmental issues. This debate about efficiency versus oversight is likely to be a focal point during discussions surrounding the bill.