[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358333,"mediaKeyId","2212652-f099a09e8a31db73afe0daea9aa51a4d","parentId",2212652,"title","Fishermen urge state fund as panel weighs regional offshore‑wind mitigation plan","audioSeconds",388,"startMs",2912000,"endMs",3300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212652-f099a09e8a31db73afe0daea9aa51a4d&start=2912&end=3300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212652-f099a09e8a31db73afe0daea9aa51a4d/thumbnail_2912000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358333/Connecticut/Fishermen-urge-state-fund-as-panel-weighs-regional-offshorewind-mitigation-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358333-15cec71a34a1c1d08aa33a0582722392/orig.mp4?Expires=1770848113&Signature=cfoobnHwOzvfonFwnTdXrbkwLITWwUMR29CF-~gra6x0qNkL~NhisFjsFm6ukOOKMw9FjWzX0vP3GIGuUN0w3~zxVPwsyasgZcCUki4w2w5xK7tPbA3KffhLzkNzOrR9AeHQsFS2gj-2VRSLxwJme-diIA2vBl2un95Br8GAgnEEObVf~FMnMZ90yIqkRYYwFeyq0ta8pQsvv3d9o1nvIYNgSsSSe7jrHVP1Hx1~Ue5ek2GQsD0vRnQaxW7iPw8Fl9GIuTmfb~pTXXBcu4XHZDN3iXMUFlZNJBSi4dHnftMYgsIGf-WoYIPLxhkGZbotBBM3T68GID23ajwJ1xHgaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CGA - Environment Committee","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","Commercial fishermen and some coastal lawmakers told the Environment Committee that offshore wind development along the Atlantic coast has disrupted fishing grounds and marine life and that Connecticut should ensure a state‑level mitigation mechanism alongside a regional fund.

Why it matters: Connecticut is in the path of multiple offshore wind projects planned or contracted by neighboring states. Fishermen testified that turbine siting, cable corridors and construction noise can change fish behavior and reduce access to traditional grounds. Multiple testifiers asked the committee to back either a state mitigation fund or state‑specific protections to ensure fishermen, marine wildlife and local economies are compensated and protected.

DEEP’s view: Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble and Justin Davis, bureau chief for natural resources, said the state has been working with 11 other states since 2021 to establish a single regional fund and a framework for mitigation. Davis described efforts to develop agreed eligibility criteria, a claims process and a regional fund administrator selected through procurement, with hopes the fund would be operational by 2026.

Fishermen and coastal advocates: Several fishermen and state lawmakers — including Sen. Heather Summers and Rep. Rob Callahan — said a regional fund could dilute Connecticut’s voice and called for additional state guarantees. \"Putting up enough money toward mitigation doesn't mean it's not doing damage now,\" Rep. Callahan said. Senator Summers said Rhode Island built a state mitigation mechanism on top of regional work and urged Connecticut to consider doing the same.

Industry perspective: Renewable energy stakeholders told the committee a single regional fund offers consistency and economies of scale, and stressed that federal permitting and procurement already include mitigation measures. The American Clean Power Association warned an overlapping state fund could be duplicative and urged support for the regional administrator selected by the states.

What’s next: DEEP said it will continue to participate in regional negotiations and emphasized prior inclusion of fisheries conditions in state energy procurements. Lawmakers signaled an interest in ensuring Connecticut fisherfolk have a seat at the table as the regional fund shapes eligibility and claims processes.

Ending: Committee members asked DEEP to report back with details about state representation, the regional fund's governance and a timeline for operational readiness so lawmakers can decide whether a state supplemental fund is warranted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Environment Public Hearing 2025-01-31","oneSentenceSummary","Fishermen and coastal lawmakers pressed for Connecticut-specific mitigation and a state seat at the regional fund, while DEEP and clean‑energy groups said a multistate fund and federal permitting process provide the best path for consistent mitigation across the East Coast.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358336,"Environment panel hears pleas to tighten rules before Bristol plant burns medical waste",22535,936000,23471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212652-f099a09e8a31db73afe0daea9aa51a4d&start=936&end=23471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212652-f099a09e8a31db73afe0daea9aa51a4d/thumbnail_936000.jpg","/articles/6358336/Connecticut/Environment-panel-hears-pleas-to-tighten-rules-before-Bristol-plant-burns-medical-waste","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358336-6e3b9ba3081d189588f2096ed70bb7c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770848113&Signature=VFimNOHBK3PYdi5cnmV7u8Y1pVNs72DhzyUWvipV5dS7EpDL33rQ8Tg7QJtikWQve6ZTJkrjdhyBhL507IRfXeLr276qh0DCIVvVywa3F4vxePC5wwJX4B09OWgszq723R53Ryd3aRMuQdUJMwkrvyjEzzU12C9rQB4yp8teRc0HvCflu5mTlNZWXXnVUtJeVKCmB9qYV3X5QUbj~RV6ks5cjVmCAiisl1mB53cwasdEWZfnrDTDzJGMKozcH0ArXh7Mt0DkZcy5BZkKE7uk7k6AxlsFipnW1p1NLssXy0VEP6Bbcofac8kFwjfCdFR9WMefINL8zBXvWlaHbTIURQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ReWorld Inc. (formerly Covanta) is seeking a permit modification that would allow its Bristol waste‑to‑energy facility to combust treated medical waste as part of its feedstock, a change residents and some lawmakers say demands stricter oversight.

Why it matters: Residents who live near the plant, public‑health advocates and several state lawmakers told the Environment Committee on Jan. 31 that medical waste combustion raises distinct concerns — dioxins, mercury and PFAS among them — and that annual stack tests are not sufficient to protect public health. They asked the committee to require the same emission limits, monitoring and permit conditions that apply to standalone medical‑waste incinerators.

Tracy Babbage, bureau chief for the air program at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, told the committee the state’s regulatory framework is robust and in many cases \"more stringent than the federal standards.\" She described Connecticut’s combined Clean Air Act and waste rules and noted municipal waste combustors operating in the state are already subject to frequent testing and permitting controls.

But several residents and local leaders disputed that DEEP’s current oversight is adequate. \"An incinerator that processes and burns medical waste should be held to federal standards for a medical waste incinerator,\" said Jody Morrow of Bristol Residents for Clean Air. Morrow noted that, nationally, many incinerators sit in overburdened communities and said Bristol residents have seen noise, odors and other disruptions.

State Senator Martin, who represents the area, told the committee he has asked DEEP to pause any final action on the pending permit to allow lawmakers and the agency time to consider additional protections. \"I have requested DEEP to hold off on the pending decision regarding medical waste burning to ensure ultimate transparency,\" Martin said during his testimony.

ReWorld’s government relations director Fraser Blaylock said the company is not seeking added disposal capacity and is constrained by state law to accept no more than 8% medical or special waste in its Bristol feedstock. Blaylock also emphasized that the proposed activity has undergone the lengthy DEEP permitting process and public hearings.

What’s next: Committee members pressed DEEP staff and ReWorld on whether Connecticut should require continuous emissions monitoring for mercury, dioxins/furans and PFAS — pollutants cited repeatedly by witnesses — rather than relying primarily on annual stack tests. Several speakers recommended Senate Bill 80 be strengthened to make federal medical‑waste incinerator standards apply regardless of the percent of medical waste in the feed stream. Committee action was not taken at the hearing.

Ending: The debate is likely to continue as DEEP completes its technical review and as lawmakers consider changes to statute language. For now, Bristol residents and municipal officials said they will keep pushing for stricter monitoring, faster remediation of noise violations and clearer public reporting about emissions and public‑health risks.","Lawmakers, residents and state officials pressed for stricter limits and more frequent monitoring as ReWorld (formerly Covanta) seeks a permit change to combust up to 8% medical waste at its Bristol facility. DEEP staff said state rules can be more stringent than federal standards; community members urged continuous monitoring and tighter review.","actionData","errors"]

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Fishermen urge state fund as panel weighs regional offshore‑wind mitigation plan

Environment panel hears pleas to tighten rules before Bristol plant burns medical waste