Governor Rell Vetoes Bill

Banning Ash Disposal Site in Franklin

Read the Governor's Veto Message

“This measure would circumvent a sound statutory process and, instead, interject politics into the decision. My veto should in no way be interpreted as support for building an ash landfill in Franklin nor be interpreted as support for or opposition to the Waterbury project.”

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has vetoed a bill that would ban the establishment of an ash landfill on specific sites in Franklin and Windham, a measure that would circumvent the state’s long-established scientific and objective siting process.

Senate Bill 3, An Act Prohibiting the Acquisition of Use of Certain Parcels of Land as Ash Residue Disposal Area, would bar the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority or any other entity from putting an ash landfill on those specific sites. The bill also would deny an environmental permit to Chestnut Hill Bioenergy for the construction for a food waste-to-energy plant in Waterbury.

“Let me be clear: My veto should in no way be interpreted as support for building an ash landfill in Franklin,” Governor Rell wrote in her veto message. “I remain resolutely unconvinced that such a landfill is needed at all, particularly with an already operational landfill just a few miles away. The Franklin site is irreplaceable farmland/open space and I would urge the CRRA to explore other options. Nor should my veto be interpreted as support for or opposition to the Waterbury project.”

However, the Governor’s veto message outlined the comprehensive siting oversight process that has existed in Connecticut since 1971 and led to the establishment of the Connecticut Siting Council 10 years later.

“Explicitly removing these projects from the established procedure is wrong-headed. The Legislative and Executive branches of our State government have spent years developing and implementing this process, which includes notice, public comment, municipal participation, due diligence and appropriate oversight,” the Governor said.

The Governor noted that it is not certain that either facility would be built since they have not gone through the regulatory process. She said in the case of the Franklin site, CRRA has not yet submitted an application to DEP.

“If the site can potentially serve as a source of potable water, the Department of Environmental Protection will not allow the facility to be built on that site,” Governor Rell said. “If we allow decisions to be made outside of the statutory process, we undermine the process that we have put in place and invite additional special act legislation to approve or disapprove individual projects. The best public policy is to allow these projects to follow the established statutory process, including the objective evaluation of the project on the merits – without legislative interference.

“I fully understand and appreciate the concerns of those living in Franklin and along the routes of the proposed facility – but this measure would circumvent a sound statutory process and, instead, interject politics into the decision,” Governor Rell said. “It is poor public policy and would set a precedent for any future statewide facilities. We must, for the good of all our residents, focus on the broader issues and engage in sound public policy.”