CRRA to Divide Nearly $1 Million among 18 Towns

Distribution of Funds Remaining at Close of Former Bridgeport Project

HARTFORD, Conn. – Southwestern Connecticut cities and towns will each receive a share of almost $1 million left over following the close of the former Bridgeport Project solid waste system.

The funds remained after the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, which oversaw the Bridgeport Project, set up and funded reserves to cover the Project’s future obligations, such as the post-closure monitoring and maintenance of the Shelton and Waterbury landfills. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection requires that landfill owners have enough money to pay for 30 years of monitoring and maintenance at the time of a landfill’s closing.

An analysis of the reserve performed in November showed that, after retaining reserves to cover anticipated insurance, administrative legal costs, $967,528.78 was available for distribution. The CRRA Board of Directors today approved a distribution formula based on the participating towns’ minimum commitments and percentage of trash deliveries to the Bridgeport Project over its final five years. Following is a breakdown of the distribution:

The Bridgeport Project’s revenues came from disposal fees paid by member cities and towns. Under the Project contracts, monies left over at the conclusion of the Project are to be divided among the member towns. CRRA expects to send out checks next week.

Today’s is the second such distribution from Bridgeport Project reserves. In October 2009, the CRRA Board approved the return of more than $1.6 million according to the same formula.

The Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority is a quasi-public agency whose mission is to work for – and in – the best interests of the municipalities of the state of Connecticut. CRRA’s board of directors and management team develop and implement environmentally sound solutions and best practices for solid waste disposal and recycling management on behalf of municipalities. CRRA serves more than 100 Connecticut cities and towns. CRRA also runs sustainability education programs through the Trash Museum in Hartford and Garbage Museum in Stratford. Computer users can discuss CRRA at its blog, http://crra-blog.blogspot.com.

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