5. Pollution Prevention, and the efficient use and recycling of energy and material resources will be the primary means to maintain a clean and healthful environment.
5. Pollution Prevention, and the efficient use and recycling of energy and material resources will be the primary means to maintain a clean and healthful environment.
5a. Percentage of the total solid waste stream that is recycled or avoided
Explanation: Of the nine components of the waste stream designated by DEP for recycling, the reported and/or estimated ton of materials that are recycled, divided by the total tons of municipal waste delivered to landfills and waste-to-energy facilities. Further, the Connecticut Solid Waste Management Plan calls for any future growth in the waste stream to be offset and avoided by solid waste reduction or additional recycling; it is estimated that this figure could grow from 5% in 200 to 16% in 2015. Discussion: This benchmark will determine the statewide efforts in pollution prevention caused by solid waste disposal by measuring the increasing amount of solid waste that is diverted to the preferred management methods of materials reduction, recycling and reuse. Data Sources: Solid Waste Database -- Annual reports to DEP by disposal facilities, municipalities, recycling facilities, and scrap metal dealers.
5b. Percentage reduction of selected air toxics: freon 113, trichloroethane, cumene, and dichlorodifluoromethane
Explanation: Information is based on the Toxic Release Inventory, industrial reporting that is required by the federal government. TRI data is limited to emissions by only the manufacturing sector with Standard Industrial Classification codes from 20 to 39. TRI reported emissions may account for only 5% to 20% of all annual toxic releases. As the reporting requirements change frequently, only selected air toxic were chosen in order to provide a more stable reporting base. Reductions in freon and dichlorodifluoromethan emissions are related to the federal stratospheric ozone protection program. Trichloroethane emissions reductions are based on extrapolation of historic data. The cumene emission reduction is based on expected future plant closing. Discussion: Toxics, even in relatively small amounts of emissions, represent a serious threat to human health. Data Sources: US EPA, CT DEP -- Toxics Release Inventory
5c. Percentage reduction in the total amount of hazardous waste generated
Explanation: Targets are based upon projected growth of various industrial sectors and the anticipated amount of recurrent hazardous waste tons produced per employee. Discussion: This benchmark will determine the response by industry to adopt pollution prevention activities resulting in a reduction of total hazardous waste generated. The proposed target assumes a growth in state productivity in addition to the reduction of hazardous waste generated. Given the potential danger that hazardous waste can present to the environment and public health, even a small reduction has a significant benefit. Data Sources: Generators of Hazardous Waste, CT Hazardous Waste Management Service, Report on Connecticut Hazardous Waste Generation and Management.
5d. Percentage reduction in the number of transformers at greatest risk of becoming a source of pollution
Explanation: There are approximately 1400 unused industrial sites in CT with an estimate of 3 transformers per site. Exposure is a concern as most of these unused industrial sites are located in highly populated urban areas. It is estimated that 35 transformers will be removed in FY 95-96, 60 in FY 96-97 and 65 each fiscal year through 2000. Removal is expected to accelerate in the out years. Discussion: General disrepair and vandalism of transformers at abandoned and underutilized facilities have resulted in major discharges of PCBs. There are an estimated 400,00 transformers in CT however the estimated 4200 located at unused industrial sites are considered at greatest risk of becoming a source of pollution. Even small spills of highly concentrated PCBs can result in costly cleanups. These costs are generally several times what it would have cost to dispose of the transformers before a spill incident occurs. Once a spill occurs it may make it uneconomical for the private sector to restore and reuse the site. Data Sources: DEP -- PCB Transformer Registration Database -- information gathered from regulated community.
5e. Percentage annual reduction in relative amount of energy needed to power the economy (BTUs per dollar of personal income)
Explanation: Since the initial oil embargo in late 1973, the energy intensity index has improved at approximately 2.5% per year. An energy objective, recently reassessed and reaffirmed in the draft CT Comprehensive Energy Plan, is to continue to reduce Connecticut's energy intensity by 2.5% per year, or over 40% over the next 20 years. Discussion: The purpose of this benchmark, called the "energy intensity index", is to measure the pace of increased efficiency in the use of energy in CT as measured by the amount of energy needed to yield a dollar of personal income. The efficient use of energy is the cornerstone of the state's energy policy. Data Sources: OPM -- CT Comprehensive Energy Plan Energy Intensity Analysis
5f. Percentage of energy derived from natural gas and renewable resources
Explanation: The targets are based on the reported annual usage of natural gas and the estimated annual usage of renewable energy in BTU divided by the total annual energy consumed in the state. Most usage of renewable energy is not reportable and must be estimated based upon assessments of passive solar, small power producers, wood stove usage and efficiency, and photovoltaic applications. Discussion: This benchmark measures the change in the state fuel mix. A long-range energy strategy is to reduce the dependency upon imported petroleum and to promote use of natural gas and renewable energy sources where cost-effective. Successful implementation of renewable resources will benefit environmental quality, energy security and economic competitiveness. Data Sources: OPM -- Draft Comprehensive Energy Plan
5g. Percentage of operator/facilities practicing waste reduction or prevention:
5h. Percentage reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases
Explanation: In conformance with the position taken at the international Rio Conference, the Clinton Administration has adopted as a target for the year 2000 the reduction of CO2 emissions to the level experienced in the benchmark year of 1990. CT targets use the approach. Discussion: Net emissions of greenhouse gases in the U.S. are projected to grow by about 7 percent between 1990 and 2000. Since 1991 an estimate of Connecticut greenhouse gas emissions has been reported to the Connecticut legislature yearly by OPM following consultation with DEP. However, national data more accurately reflects long-term conditions because in Connecticut annual emissions are heavily impacted by the relative coldness of the winter season and the percentage of time that the nuclear generators are off-line. Data Sources: OPM -- Annual report to the legislature on CO2 emissions.