Contamination and cleanup
Brownfields, site remediation, PFAS, Superfund, spills, solid waste and landfills. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Latest briefings
- MediumWindham County, CT
Connecticut Siting Council keeps Plainfield waste-to-energy petition on declaratory-ruling track; hearing October 22
The Council declined on October 1, 2026 to convert the 45-megawatt Plainfield petition into a full certificate case. The declaratory-ruling proceeding continues, with a remote hearing on October 22, 2026 and a decision deadline stated as August 2, 2027.
- MediumFairfield County, CT
Connecticut proposes ending federal hazardous waste cleanup oversight at former GE Bridgeport plant, with building limits
State regulators tentatively find cleanup complete on 30.2 acres at 1285 Boston Avenue, relying on a recorded land-use restriction instead of a permit; comments are due November 12, 2026.
- HighConnecticut
Connecticut ends Transfer Act filings for sales from March 1, 2026; release-based cleanup applies
Since March 1, 2026 transactions no longer require Transfer Act filings, and cleanup duties arise when a release is discovered or occurs. A legislative study of brownfield problems under the new program is due January 1, 2027. Deal documents drafted around Transfer Act forms should be examined.
- MediumConnecticut
Connecticut reissues dewatering and cleanup wastewater permit; new sites must apply 180 days before discharging
The state's general permit for dewatering and remediation wastewater took effect March 1, 2026 and runs to February 28, 2031. New sites apply 180 days before discharge and file coastal, wildlife and treatment documents. A related draft general permit was withdrawn on July 15, 2026.
Rules 9
- Federal · 40 CFR Part 112Oil spill prevention plans for fuel storage (SPCC)
- Federal · 40 CFR 302.4; 89 FR 39124PFOA and PFOS as federal hazardous substances
- Federal · 42 U.S.C. 9601(40), 9607(r); 40 CFR Part 312Superfund liability and the buyer’s defence (All Appropriate Inquiries)
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 32-760, 32-769Brownfield liability relief program (BRRP)
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-207, 22a-208a, 22a-209f; R.C.S.A. 22a-209-1Clean fill, demolition waste and soil reuse
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-903c; DPH PFAS action levelsPFAS: water action levels and product bans
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-134 to 22a-134e; Public Acts 25-6 and 25-54Property Transfer Act, legacy sites only
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-134pp to 22a-134yy; R.C.S.A. 22a-134tt-1 to -13Release-based cleanup program
- Connecticut · C.G.S. 22a-133k; R.C.S.A. 22a-134tt (was 22a-133k-1 to -3)Remediation standards for soil and groundwater
Funding and incentives 3
- Federal · US EPAEPA brownfields assessment, cleanup and revolving loan fund grants
- Connecticut · CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Brownfield Remediation and DevelopmentMunicipal Brownfield Grant Program
- Connecticut · CT Department of Economic and Community DevelopmentTargeted Brownfield Development Loan Program