Connecticut Agency Grants Tentative Approval for C&D Facility

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced has made a preliminary decision to approve a permit application for Milford, Conn.-based Recycling Inc. to construct and operate a solid waste processing, transfer and recycling facility in Milford.

DEEP’s Notice of Tentative Determination, the first step in the decision making process on permit applications, would allow for an expansion of current recycling operations at this site.

The agency has opened a 30-day public comment period on the proposed decision. Interested parties may also request a public hearing on the matter before an independent hearing officer by filing a petition containing at least 25 signatures.

If there is no request for a public hearing, the agency will make a final decision based on the Tentative Determination and public comments. If there is a public hearing, the hearing officer will consider oral and written testimony and issue a proposed final decision for the agency to consider.

The proposed permit is available for viewing at DEEP Headquarters, 79 Elm Street, Hartford (from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM – Monday through Friday) and on the DEEP website at: www.ct.gov/deep/990NaugatuckAveDraftPermit.
The proposed permit will allow Recycling Inc. to eventually receive up to 700 tons per day of solid waste from commercial and industrial activities, construction and demolition activities, clean wood and various types of recyclables. The primary activities under the proposed permit are for receipt and processing of certain solid wastes to reclaim and recycle various materials, and to consolidate for transfer off-site by truck, rail and barge.

The proposed permit requires the construction and operation be done in phases. At the completion of each phase, the facility must supply to DEEP a statement certified by a professional engineer that all activities were completed in accordance with the conditions outlined in the permit. Recycling Inc. must also submit to DEEP a health and safety plan approved by the Milford Fire Department.

The permit requires Recycling Inc. to control odors, water discharges and noises resulting from the construction and operation of the facility in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations. It must maintain a certified operator at all times during operation, post a financial assurance mechanism to ensure proper closure of the facility at the conclusion of operations, and to submit to DEEP quarterly compliance audits performed by a Professional Engineer.

Additionally, the facility must construct a chain link fence and create a 600-foot “green buffer zone” around the entire facility. The permitted hours of operation would be from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Written comments on the application should be directed to:
Calin Tanovici, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Material Management and Compliance Assurance, Waste Engineering and Enforcement Division, 79 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06106-5127.