Lamont Rejects Plea for $330 Million of Subsidies for MIRA Waste-to-Energy Plant

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The State of Connecticut rejected a Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA) plea for a grant of over $330 million in a letter Tuesday, calling the plan a “false choice, and a bad deal” for taxpayers across the state, for Hartford residents and for the environment.

The struggling waste authority, which serves 70 municipalities across Connecticut, had warned the state that if it did not provide hundreds of millions in subsidies, it would convert its “waste-to-energy plant to a massive transfer station” in order to send trash to landfills.

“I cannot support sending hundreds of millions of state taxpayer or electric ratepayer dollars to MIRA to attempt to keep a failing decades-old facility running, right here in Hartford where it impacts our vulnerable residents,” said Governor Ned Lamont in a press release. “A permanent trash export operation is also a nonstarter.  It’s time for new ideas.”

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes called on MIRA to resubmit a plan that is consistent with its charge.

“Today, I asked that the MIRA board deliver to the state a real plan, fully exploring all of the options,” said Dykes. “MIRA was envisioned to be a partner for the state in implementing sound policy on waste, recycling, and the environment. I am hopeful they can deliver.”