Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee
Introduction
Connecticut Siting Council
Established in 1971, the Connecticut Siting Council's primary purpose is to balance the need for adequate and reliable public services at the lowest reasonable cost to consumers with the need to protect the environment and ecology of the state. The council has siting jurisdiction in a number of areas including: energy, telecommunications, hazardous waste disposal, low level radioactive waste management, and ash residue management facilities.
Developers of a new or modified facility regulated by the council must obtain a council certificate prior to beginning construction. The council reviews applications and conducts public hearings on proposed projects. The specific steps in the certification process and timeframes for completing them are established in statute and council regulations.
Administratively located within the Department of Public Utility Control, the council operates as an autonomous body with its own staff. Council membership is statutorily dictated and varies depending on the type of proceeding being conducted.
In April 2000, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee authorized a study of the council. The study focus, as approved by the committee, was an examination and assessment of the policies, procedures, and overall operation of the Connecticut Siting Council. In particular, the study focused on the council's ability to balance the need for the facilities it oversees with the need to protect the environment, public health, and safety. Specifically, the scope of the study included:
· Range of jurisdiction, powers, duties, role, and responsibilities of the council;
· Major council activities including certification process and overseeing completed projects;
· Development and implementation of criteria used in evaluating applications;
· Adherence to statutory timeframes and overall efficacy of process; and
· The council's relationship with municipalities and other governmental bodies.
In conducting its review, the program review committee staff used a variety of sources and research methods. Connecticut statutes and literature pertinent to siting were reviewed, as well as information compiled on other states. Quantitative data related to outcomes of the siting process over several years, with an emphasis on results, were collected and analyzed.
A survey to elicit data and opinions on a wide range of siting issues was designed and mailed to chief elected officials for each Connecticut municipality. Committee staff also sent a questionnaire to council members, and interviewed council siting analysts and individuals from various government entities associated or having contact with the agency. In addition, the program review committee also held a public hearing in September 2000 to gather information and comments on the siting process.
This report is divided into seven chapters. Chapter I provides the historical background and development of the Connecticut Siting Council. It also sets out the council's current roles and responsibilities as well as organization and resources. Chapter II outlines the council's siting jurisdiction, responsibilities, and procedures related to the energy industry. The council's involvement in the siting of telecommunications facilities is described in Chapter III. The council's other major statutory functions regarding hazardous waste, low level radioactive waste, and ash residue are discussed in Chapter IV. Finally, the last three chapters contain the committee findings and recommendations in the following three areas: CSC process and outcomes; council interaction with municipalities and other interested groups; and CSC jurisdiction.
Agency Response
It is the policy of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee to provide state agencies subject to a study with an opportunity to review and comment on the recommendations prior to the publication of the final report. A response from the Connecticut Siting Council is contained in Appendix E.