MS4 Resources
The new General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 General Permit) goes into effect July 1, 2017. The permit requires municipalities to take steps in addressing the discharge of pollutants into local waterbodies. All fifteen of SCRCOG’s member municipalities are required to register for the permit and be compliant with the permit’s six Minimum Control Measures. Below is a list of resources available to aid communities in reaching compliance.
CT DEEP
The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) adminsters the MS4 General Permit program.
MS4 General Permit (Effective 7/1/17)
Best Management Practice (BMP) Timeline
Other Municipal Stormwater Information
CT NEMO
Through funding from CT DEEP, CT NEMO is developing resources to assist municipalities with meeting the MS4 program requirements. These resources include templates for the Stormwater Management Plan and Annual Reports, mapping of impervious cover, outfall monitoring assistance, draft regulations and ordinances, and educational webinars.
Additionally, CT NEMO completed a regulatory assessment of the barriers to implementing low impact development (LID). CT Nemo created a storymap to help explain the project.
MS4 Listserv
Electric Vehicle Initiative
Electric Vehicles or “EVs” is a general term for a vehicle powered either partially or completely by electricity. Given the reduction, or elimination, of greenhouse gas emissions that these vehicles offer, they are becoming a powerful tool to mitigate the climate crisis and promote green infrastructure development.
Connecticut’s Commitment
In October of 2013, Connecticut committed to putting 125,000 Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) on the road by 2025, by signing the State Zero-Emission Vehicle Programs Memorandum of Understanding (ZEV MOU). Now endorsed by 10 states, a Multi-State ZEV Task Force formed to aid this process and coordinate the successful implementation of state ZEV programs.
Connecticut is also a member of the International ZEV Alliance, which aims to make all new passenger vehicles in member jurisdictions ZEVs by 2050.
The Connecticut EV Roadmap gives an extensive overview of the policy framework that exists to accelerate electric vehicle adoption throughout the state. This is an important resource to understand why electrification is important in Connecticut, and the key strategies and initiatives being used to achieve it. It also sets the stage for existing regulatory and financial conditions that surround electric vehicles, and how we can work to further the development of the market and promote EV use.
The updated 2018 Comprehensive Energy Strategy also provides information on the acceleration of markets and adoption of ZEVs as one of its key goals.
Live Green CT’s Municipal EV Readiness Toolkit Resources
Live Green Connecticut put on a 12-week EV Readiness Toolkit Program in 2020 to inform municipalities about EV implementation topics and move towards electrification in Connecticut. Live Green invites you to join the Municipal EV Readiness Facebook Group to connect with other municipal leaders on EV topics. Below are the recordings and for the 12 modules.
Module 1: Economic and Community Development
Module 2: Electric School Buses
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Module Presentation Slide Deck, Durham School Services Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Confirm the contract expiration date for your district’s school bus service provider and to find out if your service provider plans on applying for VW or DERA grants. When finished, complete the Module 2 Survey.
Module 3: Municipal Fleet Electrification
Module 4: Parking and Enforcement
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Module 4 Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Tasks:
-
- Approach your parking commission about adding a parking fine for non-EVs parking in a charging spot.
- Submit a possible painted parking spot design and signs for it (use a public EV charger location in your municipality as prototype – how do you think municipality should demarcate it).
- Complete Module 4 Survey
-
Module 5: Zoning
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Module Presentation Slide Deck, Hartford Zoning and Planning Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Review relevant literature or model code, and/or send the same to the local zoning commission chair for their consideration. When finished, complete Module 5 Survey.
Module 6: Building and Permitting
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Module Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Commit to reviewing relevant literature or model code, and/or sending the same to the local building & permitting department for their consideration. Then, complete the Module 6 Survey.
Module 7: Public and Destination Charging
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Module 7 Tool: Guiding Principles for Identifying Potential Public EV Stations
- Module Presentation Slide Deck, PURA Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Share the benefits of public & destination charging with Economic & Community Development Commission. When finished complete Module 7 Survey.
Module 8: Multi-Unit Dwelling Charging
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Tools:
- Module Presentation Slide Deck, Juice Bar Presentation Slide Deck and Multifamily EV Charging Locations
- Recording
- Action Task: Share the benefits of multi-unit dwelling charging with Economic & Community Development Director/Commission, Zoning Department, and Parking Commission. When finished, complete Module 8 Survey.
Module 9: Workplace Charging
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Benefits of Workplace Charging
- Tools
- Module Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Share the benefits of workplace charging with Economic & Community Development Director/Commission, Zoning Department, and Building Department. When finished, complete the Module 9 Survey.
Module 10: Transit Buses
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Module Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Share the benefits of electric transit buses with Economic & Community Development Director/Commission and Mayor/First Selectman’s Office. When finished, complete Module 10 Survey.
Module 11: Shuttles
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Tool: AFLEET Heavy-Duty Emissions Calculator
- Module Presentation Slide Deck, Motiv Shuttle Bus Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Share the benefits of electric shuttles with the town’s Senior Center. When finished, complete Module 11 Survey
Module 12: First Responder Fleets + Toolkit Finale
- Agenda
- Course Reading
- Tool: Idling Reduction Savings Calculator
- Module Presentation Slide Deck
- Recording
- Action Task: Share the benefits of first responder fleet electrification with Police Department. When finished, complete Module 12.
Cost Comparison
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Solar Energy Initiative
SCRCOG is working with national, regional, and local organizations to promote the usage of solar energy throughout the region. Our goal is to promote regional education, collaboration and pro-active planning for renewable energy projects.
SOLSMART
SolSmart is a national program encouraging local and regional governments to adopt policies and practices that foster local solar markets and promote the utilization of solar power.
Participating municipalities and other government entities are recognized for accomplishing certain goals, such as streamlining the process of solar power implementation, by receiving Solsmart designation. Solsmart helps participants achieve designation by developing a library of resources and providing no-cost professional technical assistance and advisors.
In the South Central Region, the towns of Hamden and Branford have achieved SolSmart designation as of 2022.
Click here to get started and apply for SolSmart designation. Click here to access the SolSmart Program Guide.
SCRCOG has been awarded a SolSmart Silver designation. As the ninth regional government organization in the United States to receive SolSmart designation, SCRCOG demonstrates a commitment to making the region more solar-friendly and environmentally sustainable by adopting programs and practices that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to go solar.
Additional Resources