The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5154, aims to revise the permitting authority of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) by allowing the Commissioner to issue general permits for activities that would typically require individual permits, as long as they are not prohibited under existing law. This change is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill modifies the process for renewing individual permits for solid waste facilities. Specifically, it stipulates that if a permittee submits a sufficient application for renewal and the Commissioner does not issue a notice of tentative determination within ninety days, the permit will be automatically renewed.

Furthermore, the bill repeals the existing subsection (j) of section 22a-208a and replaces it with new language that outlines the renewal process for solid waste facility permits. The new provisions require that applications for renewal be submitted on a form prescribed by the Commissioner and accompanied by the applicable fee. The bill also maintains the authority of the Commissioner to approve demonstration projects related to solid waste management, ensuring that such projects align with state and federal regulations. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the permitting process while ensuring environmental protections are upheld.