Connecticut
At a
Glance
PAMELA B. KATZ, P.E.,
Chairman (through June 30, 2006)
Colin C. Tait, Esq.,
Acting Chairman
S. Derek Phelps, Executive Director
Established - 1971
Statutory authority – CGS
Chapter 277a, Chapter 445, Chapter 446a,
Chapter 446d, and Chapter 446e
Central office -
Number of employees
- 9
Recurring operating
expenses - $1,996,396
(Energy,
Telecommunications, and Hazardous Waste)
Mission
Regulation of facility siting 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.
Statutory Responsibility
Although the Council has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the siting of facilities under its jurisdiction, municipal zoning and inland wetland commissions may regulate and restrict electric generation facilities, and electric substations. Municipal planning, zoning, and inland wetland commissions may regulate hazardous waste management facilities and low-level radioactive waste management facilities. The Council may modify or overturn municipal orders by a vote of six members for electric generation facilities and electric switching and substation facilities. Municipal orders directed to hazardous waste and low-level radioactive waste management facilities may be modified or overturned by the Council by a vote of eight members.
Public Service
The agency continually measures its efficiency and effectiveness through public statements, memoranda of law and informal comments received from persons who participate before the Connecticut Siting Council (“Council”). The Council also refines its service through recommendations by the State Auditors of Public Accounts and legislative committees, including the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee.
Improvements/Achievements 2005-06
In 2005-2006, the Council held 35 public hearing sessions, 21 energy and telecommunications meetings and there were no hazardous waste meetings. The Council ruled on 49 petitions for declaratory rulings for electric generators, electric substations, electric and fuel transmission lines, and telecommunications facilities. The Council issued certificates for 5 cellular telephone facilities and one substation facility. One telecommunications application was withdrawn.
The Council reviewed and acknowledged 89 modifications of existing telecommunications facilities. The Council also approved 39 requests for tower sharing at existing facilities to avoid the construction of new telecommunications towers. The Council acted on 26 Development and Management Plans to ensure compliance with its orders. The Council inspects all facilities after completion of construction to ensure compliance with its Decision and Orders.
On July 14, 2005, the Council held a hearing on the 2005 Ten-year Forecast of Loads and Resources of Electric Utilities. This forecast proceeding was held to assess existing and planned electric generation, substation and transmission facilities. The proceeding also analyzed historical trends, the projected outlook of load, demand and the effectiveness of conservation and load management programs. A detailed report of these forecasts is published by the Council annually.
Reducing Waste
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 60 (c) of Public Act 05-251, the Council’s personnel, payroll, affirmative action and business office functions were incorporated into the SMall Agency Resource Team (SMART) within DAS. As intended, this arrangement has served to further streamline and standardize the human resources, affirmative action, payroll and business office functions.
The Council has further improved the transparency of its process and availability of materials to the public by further developing the amount of content on its website [http://ct.gov/csc]. For example, the Council posts to the website the entire record of applications that are expected to be the subject of significant public interest, including the initial application materials and the development and management (construction) plans.
Pursuant to the provisions of section two of Public Act 04-226, the Council has assembled a comprehensive database of telecommunications sites that is posted on the agency’s website. This database, which is updated quarterly as required, was compiled using data provided by municipalities and carriers.
Information Reported as Required by State Statute
All certification proceedings of the Council are held as contested cases under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and include a hearing with full opportunity for due process by all members of the public, parties and intervenors.
In compliance with Conn. Gen. Statutes Sec. 4-61 (k), the Council has adopted an Affirmative Action Policy and designated an Affirmative Action Officer. The Council has also adopted an AIDS policy.
Membership
Commissioner
Gina McCarthy; Commissioner Donald W. Downes; Commissioner Leonard C. Boyle;
Commissioner J. Robert Galvin; Pamela B. Katz; Edward S. Wilensky; Philip T.
Ashton; Colin C. Tait, Esq.; Daniel P. Lynch, Jr.; Barbara Currier Bell; James
J. Murphy, Jr.