Section 22a-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] Report concerning the Connecticut Siting Council(a) The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Connecticut Siting Council, the Departments of Agriculture, Economic and Community Development, Housing, Public Health and Transportation, the Office of Policy and Management, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Office of Consumer Counsel, shall prepare a report, as described in subsection (c) of this section, concerning the Connecticut Siting Council. Not later than December 31, 2024, the department shall submit such report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary, government administration and elections, energy and the environment.(b) The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may, within existing resources, hire a consultant to assist in the preparation of such report. Such consultant shall not own or operate any facility, as defined in section 16-50i of the general statutes.(c) The report prepared pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall examine the Connecticut Siting Council, with a focus on the council's ability to balance the need for the facilities that the council oversees and the need for timely and thorough administration of the council's duties with the need to protect the environment, public health and safety. Such study shall include evaluations of and recommendations concerning: (1) The scope of the council's jurisdiction, the composition of the council's membership and the council's powers, duties, role and responsibilities, as compared to those of other state agencies; (2) the effectiveness of the council's structure, with consideration of other structures based on best practices in other states, and any statutory or administrative changes that may be needed to implement such recommendations; (3) processes for issuing a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need or approving a petition for a declaratory ruling, as described in section 16-50k of the general statutes, including how to better integrate new technologies into such processes; (4) the council's oversight of completed projects; (5) criteria used by the council in evaluating applications; (6) the council's ability to adhere to statutory timeframes; (7) how the council evaluates any economic, conservation and development impacts of projects that the council approves, including the council's evaluation of (A) a project's consistency with transit-oriented development and other state and municipal economic development objectives, and (B) the degree to which a project forecloses the opportunity for economic development to occur; (8) the efficacy of the council's processes for developing evidence; (9) the efficacy of the council's processes for engaging in deliberations; (10) the council's relationship with municipalities and other governmental bodies; (11) policies, procedures and processes for inclusive public engagement in council decision-making, including to increase transparency and encourage public participation, especially in environmental justice communities, as defined in section 22a-20a of the general statutes; (12) equitable practices and processes in council decision-making for considering community compensation; (13) how the council addresses common public concerns related to siting, such as noise, visual and other community impacts; and (14) whether to provide each member of the council with an electronic mail address so that each member may receive documents and other information directly.(d) Not later than November 30, 2024, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall post a draft report on the department's Internet web site for members of the public to review in advance of providing any comment to the department. In addition, the department shall provide a mechanism for receiving public comment and shall, after posting such draft report but prior to submitting a final report pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, host at least one listening session in order to seek public comment and integrate such comments as the department deems appropriate into the final report.Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-NEW
Added by P.A. 24-0144,S. 12 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2024 Regular Session, eff. 6/6/2024.