The commissioner shall carry out the energy and environmental policies of the state and shall have all powers necessary and convenient to faithfully discharge this duty. In addition to and consistent with the environment policy of the state, the commissioner shall (1) promote and coordinate management of water, land and air resources to assure their protection, enhancement and proper allocation and utilization; (2) provide for the protection and management of plants, trees, fish, shellfish, wildlife and other animal life of all types, including the preservation of endangered species; (3) provide for the protection, enhancement and management of the public forests, parks, open spaces and natural area preserves; (4) provide for the protection, enhancement and management of inland, marine and coastal water resources, including, but not limited to, wetlands, rivers, estuaries and shorelines; (5) provide for the prevention and abatement of all water, land and air pollution including, but not limited to, that related to particulates, gases, dust, vapors, noise, radiation, odors, nutrients and cooled or heated liquids, gases and solids; (6) provide for control of pests and regulate the use, storage and disposal of pesticides and other chemicals which may be harmful to man, sea life, animals, plant life or natural resources; (7) regulate the disposal of solid waste and liquid waste, including but not limited to, domestic and industrial refuse, junk motor vehicles, litter and debris, which methods shall be consistent with sound health, scenic environmental quality and land use practices; (8) regulate the storage, handling and transportation of solids, liquids and gases which may cause or contribute to pollution; (9) provide for minimum state-wide standards for the mining, extraction, excavation or removal of earth materials of all types; (10) develop a comprehensive energy plan for the state; (11) transition the state to cleaner, more diverse and sustainable sources of energy; and (12) create opportunities for innovation and technological advances in conserving energy and reducing costs.
(1971, P.A. 872, S. 6; P.A. 11-80, S. 56.)
History: P.A. 11-80 added requirement that commissioner carry out the energy policies of the state, made technical changes and added Subdiv. (10) re development of a comprehensive energy plan for the state, Subdiv. (11) re transition to cleaner, more diverse and sustainable sources of energy and Subdiv. (12) re creation of opportunities for innovation and technological advances in conserving energy and reducing costs, effective July 1, 2011.
Cited. 204 C. 38; Id., 212; 226 C. 737; 227 C. 545; 238 C. 216.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 22a - Environmental Protection
Chapter 439 - Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. State Policy
Section 22a-1. - Policy of the state.
Section 22a-1a. - Declaration of policy: Coordination of state plans and programs.
Section 22a-1c. - Actions which may significantly affect the environment. Definition.
Section 22a-1e. - Review and determination by Office of Policy and Management.
Section 22a-1g. - Regulations.
Section 22a-1h. - Environmental impact evaluations.
Section 22a-1i. - Environmental contamination risk assessment by Department of Public Health.
Section 22a-2a. - Delegation of inspection and enforcement authority. Regulations.
Section 22a-2b. - “Criminal negligence” defined.
Section 22a-2c. - Office of Business Ombudsman.
Section 22a-3. - Divisions. Deputy commissioners.
Section 22a-4. - Agents, assistants, employees, consultants.
Section 22a-5. - Duties and powers of commissioner.
Section 22a-5a. - Orders. Authority of commissioner to investigate.
Section 22a-5b. - Special funds and accounts administered by the department. Report required.
Section 22a-5c. - Filing of orders on land records. Fifteen-year limit for certain orders.
Section 22a-6aa. - Permit extensions.
Section 22a-6b. - Imposition of civil penalties by the commissioner.
Section 22a-6bb. - Petition for public hearing. Withdrawal of petition.
Section 22a-6c. - Hearing on orders concerning solid waste.
Section 22a-6cc. - Consulting services program.
Section 22a-6d. - Payment of costs associated with hearing and transcript.
Section 22a-6dd. - Consent orders for remediation of land. Modification.
Section 22a-6e. - Imposition of civil penalties by the commissioner for water pollution violations.
Section 22a-6ee. - Ninety-day permit application final determinations.
Section 22a-6f. - Fees. Due dates. Late payments. Application. Waiver.
Section 22a-6ff. - Permit preapplication meetings.
Section 22a-6g. - Notice of application for permit. Exemptions.
Section 22a-6i. - Information re time frames for issuance of permits.
Section 22a-6j. - Renewal of permits.
Section 22a-6l. - Posting of public notice of permit applications.
Section 22a-6m. - Compliance history of permit applicants. Criminal history records checks.
Section 22a-6n. - Notice of commissioner's determination regarding certain regulated activities.
Section 22a-6o. - Transfer of licenses.
Section 22a-6p. - Time frames for issuance of permits. Regulations.
Section 22a-6q. - Alternative time frame for action on permit.
Section 22a-6s. - Minor violations of environmental protection laws.
Section 22a-6v. - Report on protected open space acquisition.
Section 22a-6w. - Notice to municipality of commissioner's enforcement action.
Section 22a-6x. - Office of Enforcement Policy and Coordination.
Section 22a-6y. - Exemplary environmental management systems.
Section 22a-7. - Cease and desist orders. Service. Hearings. Injunctions.
Section 22a-7a. - Bond on appeal from final decision.
Section 22a-8. - State-wide environmental plan. Advisory board. Annual conference.
Section 22a-8a. - Commissioner to inventory hazardous waste disposal sites.
Section 22a-9. - Commissioner as agent of state and political subdivisions.
Section 22a-10. - Payment of refunds.
Section 22a-11. - Council on Environmental Quality.
Section 22a-13. - Citizen complaints.
Section 22a-14. - Short title: Environmental Protection Act of 1971.
Section 22a-15. - Declaration of policy.
Section 22a-16. - Action for declaratory and equitable relief against unreasonable pollution.
Section 22a-17. - Defense. Appointment of master or referee.
Section 22a-18. - Powers of court.
Section 22a-19. - Administrative proceedings.
Section 22a-19a. - Historic structures and landmarks. When court costs assessed against plaintiff.
Section 22a-19b. - Exception for certain property listed on the state register of historic places.
Section 22a-20. - Procedure supplementary to other procedures. Intervening party.
Section 22a-21a. - State assistance related to recreation and park services.
Section 22a-21b. - Connecticut Conservation Corps.
Section 22a-21c. - Connecticut Service Corps: Definitions.
Section 22a-21d. - Connecticut Service Corps established. Project sponsors. Grants.
Section 22a-21e. - Grant application.
Section 22a-21f. - Rating system for grant applications.
Section 22a-21g. - Project eligibility; exceptions.
Section 22a-21h. - Annual reports by project sponsor and commissioner.
Section 22a-21i. - Grants for operating costs of Beardsley Zoological Gardens, Bridgeport.
Section 22a-21j. - School bus emissions reduction program.
Section 22a-21k. - School bus emissions reduction account.
Section 22a-22. (Formerly Sec. 22-7b). - Federal aid and agreements.
Section 22a-23. (Formerly Sec. 22-7c). - Federal funds to be held in separate account.
Section 22a-24. (Formerly Sec. 22-7d). - Powers additional to those under other statutes.
Section 22a-25. (Formerly Sec. 22-7e). - Acquisition of land and waters.
Section 22a-26a. - State-owned properties providing public access to Long Island Sound.
Section 22a-27e. - Litter control in parking areas.
Section 22a-27f. - Specifications of fuels. Report to commissioner.
Section 22a-27h. - Conservation Fund. Maintenance, repair and improvement account.
Section 22a-27i. - Fees. Exemption of municipalities.
Section 22a-27k. - Long Island Sound account.
Section 22a-27p. - Private funds authorized for renovation of historical structures on state land.
Section 22a-27q. - Hazard mitigation and floodplain management account.
Section 22a-27r. - Invasive species detection and control account.
Section 22a-27s. - Face of Connecticut Steering Committee: Membership, chairperson.
Section 22a-27t. - Face of Connecticut account.
Section 22a-27u. - Air emissions permit operating fee account.
Section 22a-27v. - Long Island Sound account. Habitat restoration matching subaccount.
Section 22a-27w. - Lease or other authorization to facilitate the preservation of lighthouses.