Governor Rell Announces New, Online System

for Reporting, Monitoring Vital Clean Air Data

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state Department of Environmental Protection is launching a new, state-of-the-art online system for power plants, factories and other facilities to report their emissions data electronically.

            “This new system is a perfect example of how we can put the power of technology to work to improving the quality of government services and serving the people of our state,” Governor Rell said. “By automating what had been an antiquated, paper-based process for collecting information, this new system allows businesses and industries to streamline their reporting while giving the DEP instant access to the information it needs to ensure compliance with emissions permits and protect the quality of the air we breathe.

            “This system opens a new era in air pollution emissions reporting and tracking,” the Governor said. “It will help both the regulated community and the state become more efficient and more effective in meeting our obligations under the federal Clean Air Act. It will also improve the transparency of state government by making air emissions data easily accessible in a timely manner to everyone who is interested in viewing it.”

            The new Emissions Inventory Tracking (EMIT) system will allow Connecticut businesses and industries that face complex reporting requirements to submit annual emissions data through an online system. Under the current system, DEP obtains data on air emissions through a paper-based emissions statement submitted annually by the owner of a source of air pollution. The submitted data is then entered by DEP staff into an electronic database.

            The EMIT system was developed by the DEP in partnership with CIBER, Inc, (NYSE: CBR), a system integrator and IT services provider. CIBER is continuing to provide assistance with creating the new inventory and managing the transfer of data.

            “It was a privilege to support and be a part of the innovative initiatives undertaken by the Connecticut DEP,” said Tom Saltzer, CIBER Vice President and Area Director.

            Under the federal Clean Air Act, certain facilities are required to report air emissions data for pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and lead. The emissions data is used for ambient impact analyses and strategic air planning.

            The businesses that are required to report their emissions are praising the EMIT system.

            “The EMIT Online electronic reporting system is a fantastic first step by the DEP in its development and implementation of an e-government program,” said Robert Silvestri, Environmental Operations Leader of PSEG Power Connecticut LLC, which operates power plants in New Haven and Bridgeport. “The system will benefit both the DEP and the regulated community in areas of efficiency, data validation and database management and retrieval in its replacement of the outdated paper process.”

            James Romanski, Powerhouse EH&S Manager of Yale University said, “Yale and other stakeholders are very excited to begin using the new EMIT Web-based reporting system for reporting our air emissions this year. We know a great deal of thought and work went in to the preparation of this system. It’s great to see the DEP embracing Web-based reporting.”