ACEC/CT Update

Green Building Council Updates LEED

The US Green Building Council has voted to update its LEED rating system for commercial buildings. See link to USGBC. This is a major update which goes into effect in 2009. In the mean time, building officials, design professionals, contractors and owners are working to find a way to implement a state mandate that new construction over $5 million (not including residential under 4 units) must comply with LEED Silver or its equivalent. There is a move to delay the required implementation date of January 1, 2009 and find answers to many important questions which were not answered in the legislation. The law may be up for revision during the special session of the General Assembly next Monday.

High Demand for Green Construction Jobs

 The Wall Street Journal reports high demand for individuals who are qualified to design and build sustainable buildings. Connecticut is the first state to require LEED or equivalent certification for all new construction over $5 million starting in 2009. And although there is an effort to delay the implementation of this requiement, many owners are already on board. With a slowdown in the construction industry, are you making yourself and your firm more valuable by being able to offer these services?

New Environmental Justice Law Signed

Governor Rell has signed into law Public Act 08-54, AN ACT CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES AND THE STORAGE OF ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIAL. The new law requires additional public hearings and plans before placing solid waste projects in low income communities.

DEP Issues Draft Water Quality Report

The Connecticut DEP issed a draft Integrated Water Quality Report as required by the federal Clean Water Act. As noted in the summary,

"Water quality in Connecticut has improved over the last few decades as a result of protective laws, remediation efforts and a substantial investment in improved wastewater treatment. There are still gains to be made in these areas. The CT DEP estimates the projected costs for necessary upgrades and improvements to municipal sewage infrastructure to be in excess of $2.75 billion. Additionally, further improvements are needed with respect to stormwater management and nonpoint source pollution control. Implementation of Phase II stormwater regulations and continued funding of Section 319 nonpoint source management projects will help address some of these issues."

During the 2009 session of the Connecticut General Assembly, ACEC/CT will be working with the Connecticut Clean Water Coalition to increase funding for the state Clean Water Fund. Although some progress has been made, we need to upgrade many water treatment plants, fix older combined sewer overflow systems and sewer systems and work on nonpoint sources of pollution

Mixed Reviews on Environmental Quality

The Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality, an agency independent of the state's Department of Environmental Protection, has issued its annual report. It's a mixed bag. Connecticut continues to make real progress in cleaning the air and waterways, but progress is slower than planned and some issues are highlighted for increased attention (for example, solid waste and residential energy usage).

The Hartford Courant reportsthat Council chair, Thomas Harrison, believes that the top priority is funding more staff at the state DEP. ACEC/CT agrees that the DEP, like the DOT and other state agencies, has suffered from the loss of experienced professionals and managers. This loss of staff has made the state government less efficient and effective in many important program areas.  

CT Leads the Way in Sustainable Buildings

Connecticut has built most of the energy efficient buildings in New England, according to this article in the New Haven Register.

Last year the General Assembly passed a law that requires the State Codes and Standards Committee to include a requirement that all commercial and institutional construction in the state meet LEED standards or equivalent. How that would work remains to be seen. LEED certification usualy comes after the building is already occupied. And local building inspectors don't have the expertise to evaluate and confirm the standard.

Editorial for Increased DEP Funding

The Hartford Courant has an editorial recommending increased funding for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (click here).

The DEP has suffered like the DOT from the twin maladies of inadequate funding and staff attrition. It's about time that both agencies get needed attention. Failures of these agencies have hurt public safety and damage the economic competitveness of the state.

Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water

The drugs we take don't completely disappear in our bodies. Traces of pharmaceuticals are being found in many water systems. Although the amounts are almost undetectible, the long-term exposure risks are not known. The Associated Press has begun a series on this issue.

Engineers will soon be asked to address this problem when designing and operating wastewater systems and drinking water systems.

Climate Change Bill Introduced in General Assembly

The Connecticut General Assembly Committee on the Environment has raised a far-reaching bill (HB 5600) that would put the state at the forefront of efforts to regulate greenhouse gases and halt climate change. The goal of the bill is to reduce greenhouse gases by 10% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

The bill would authorize the departments of environmental protection, transportation and administrative services to adopt regulations meet the goals. Owners and operators of facilities that produce over 10,000 tons of CO2 would have to report emissions to the DEP. The bill would allow the state to adopt a low-carbon fuel standard for motor vehicle and home heating fuels, adopt a model smart growth code and a public scoping meeting for any state project, focusing on environmental impacts.

Sections 8 through 10 would require the State Building Code to include the "most stringent model energy standards available" and shall meet either the International Energy Conservation Code or ASHRAE 90.1. The legislation would drop the requirement that most new construction meet LEED silver requirements. State building projects would have to exceed the new standards by at least 20%.

In order to enforce these energy codes the state would hire and train a cadre of state certified energy inspectors. No certificate of occupancy could be isssued without approval by these state energy inspectors.

CT Sues Firm fow CWF Violations

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has filed a law suit against the Atlantic Wire Company of Branford for repeated violations of the Clean Water Act. Four other firms signed consent decrees. Each firm was found to have discharged toxic waste into state waterways in excess of their DEP permits. Read Hartford Courant story.

This represents a turnaround for the DEP which had been working with firms to get them into compliance rather than bring firms to court for repeated violations.