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Task force told DEEP package could be ready by end of July, setting up possible Q1 approval
Summary
Developer said it aims to submit a DEEP post-closure use authorization package by the end of July; if accepted, DEEP’s six‑month review could put a decision in Q1 of the following year. Town members asked for examples and pledged outreach once a package is filed.
A representative for the proposed landfill solar project told the Southbury task force the team expects to have a permit package submitted to DEEP by the end of July and that DEEP’s six-month review schedule would yield a possible approval in the first quarter of next year.
“We’ll really be able to have something submitted to Deep by the end of July,” the developer representative said, noting the submission would trigger technical review steps and enable the town to begin advocacy with state contacts. The representative said the team is working with Lorero engineers for geotechnical analysis and expects to complete a survey and wetlands delineation shortly.
Task force members asked how the town could help accelerate review. The developer said outreach is most useful after DEEP has received a full package: “Once we have something submitted and obviously we’ll keep you guys in the loop every step of the way,” he said. The group discussed contacting state legislative offices and DEEP leadership if a package is pending and processing delays appear to be caused by staffing.
The developer also flagged a leadership change at DEEP: he said Commissioner Katie Dykes planned to step down at the end of the month and that an acting commissioner had been named, a change members said could affect processing speed. The task force requested examples of other towns’ permit outcomes and asked the developer to provide a more detailed permitting schedule at the next meeting.
Next steps: finish the base map, boundary survey and wetlands work; complete the 30% permit set for the July submission; and meet with the fire marshal and town public-works staff before filing for planning and zoning review.
