Governor Lamont promotes streamlined cleanup program to fight blight

On March 1 Governor Ned Lamont was joined by the commissioners of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to announce progress on developing release-based cleanup regulations.

The stated goal of the project is to speed the remediation and redevelopment of former industrial sites and other contaminated properties.

The Transfer Act, which governs the cleanup of contaminated sites is in the midst of a legislatively authorized overhaul. Over 3,000 properties throughout the state have entered the program since the 1980s per the governor’s press release, but more than 2,600 have yet to complete remediation.

DEEP and DECD are collaborating on the process alongside a working group led by state legislatures. Plans are in place for a public comment period and further review, with complete approval by the end of 2024 as the goal.

“The Transfer Act is a relic of the past, and that’s where it belongs,” Governor Lamont said in a press release. “We should be celebrated for our industrial past, not penalized by it. DEEP and DECD have done the hard work over the past three years engaging with industry experts to develop these draft regulations that will unlock these properties and spur redevelopment in our communities. We’re almost there, and now we need to get this done for our communities.”