Government and Politics
January 25, 2023
From: Connecticut Governor Ned LamontHARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont on Jan 24th, held a news conference in Hartford to announce a series of waste management proposals he will introduce during the 2023 legislative session that address the future of materials and waste management in Connecticut, particularly in light of the decision by the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) to close its waste-to-energy facility in July of 2022 and reduce in-state waste processing capacity.
With MIRA closing, the state has a shortfall in disposal capacity that has resulted in an estimated 40% of Connecticut’s waste being shipped out of state for disposal, mostly to landfills. The loss of the MIRA facility means that more than 860,000 tons of municipal solid waste will be shipped out of state annually.
Connecticut’s hauling community has stepped up in the interim to ensure that all residents’ trash is still being picked up. Municipalities and residents have contracts in the near term to make sure this continues, however a large percentage of that waste is being shipped out of state. That is neither fiscally nor environmentally sustainable or responsible in the long run, leaving the state at the mercy of distant communities to accept its waste.
“With MIRA closing its doors, we’re faced with the challenge of what to do with about a third of our waste tonnage, and relying on out-of-state landfills isn’t the answer,” Governor Lamont said. “Rather than a problem, this is an opportunity to reimagine our waste infrastructure and waste capacity in a manner that is in line with our state’s waste diversion goal and our environmental principles, and can also save residents’ money when realized at scale. We’re also going to make sure that the MIRA facility is decommissioned and remediated thoroughly and in keeping with our commitment to the environment and environmental justice.”
Along with releasing a draft update to the state’s Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy that details policies to enable Connecticut to regain “self-sufficiency” in the management of its waste, Governor Lamont on Jan 24th, announced that he is proposing the following updates through a combination of diversion programs and infrastructure investment:
The proposals will be included as part of the governor’s package of priorities for the 2023 legislative session that he will present to the Connecticut General Assembly in February. This effort builds on the important work of the Solid Waste Management Working Group established under Special Act 22-11 by proposing a suite of complimentary policies.
“As we’ve learned over the past two years engaging with more than 100 municipalities in the Connecticut Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management process, communities are eager to identify solutions that make sense for their residents, help them gain control of cost, and align with our environmental goals as a state,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “The strategies put forward today put us on that path, and, if implemented at scale, can address much of the capacity lost with MIRA’s closure. They can help municipalities control cost and avoid exposure from exporting solid waste, while also decreasing their carbon footprint. We look forward to engaging with our legislative leaders to help accelerate progress towards a more sustainable, self-sufficient waste future in Connecticut.”
“I’m thankful to Governor Lamont and Commissioner Dykes for approaching the state’s solid waste management problem head-on,” State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, said. “The closure of the MIRA South Meadows trash burning facility has placed a significant financial impact on municipalities around Connecticut. I look forward to seeing the draft of the proposed legislation and roadmap and look forward to working with the Energy and Technology Committee and the governor’s administration to chart a course for decades to come.”
“I welcome Governor Lamont’s assistance in charting Connecticut’s path forward in modernizing how we handle our municipal solid waste,” State Representative Joe Gresko (D-Stratford), co-chair of the Environment Committee, said. “Exploring better technology, food waste diversion, and less packaging are great starting points as we pivot from shipping our waste to out-of-state landfills.”
DEEP planning to issue request for information regarding waste infrastructure development, announces funding round for Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program
Complementing Jan 24th’s announcements, DEEP will also soon be issuing a request for information to solicit comment from interested stakeholders, municipalities, councils of governments, solid waste management industry representatives, facility developers, and others regarding the opportunities and needs associated with waste infrastructure development to help address Connecticut’s solid waste management challenges.
Additionally, DEEP is announcing the availability of $1.5 million in state grant funding through the Sustainable Materials Management Grant Program to help municipalities and regional waste authorities evaluate interest and identify governance to form new or expand existing regional waste authorities and engage in planning activities for diversion programs and infrastructure development.