CT SB00093

Thermostat manufacturers distributing mercury-containing thermostats in the state must submit collection and financial incentive program plans to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection by October 1, 2013, with implementation by April 1, 2013.

Program plans must include education and outreach, proper mercury handling and recycling, collection containers for wholesalers, collection systems at registered points, and minimum $5 financial incentives for contractors/technicians and homeowners returning mercury thermostats.

Thermostat wholesalers must act as collection points and use manufacturer-provided containers; retailers must participate in education programs; non-compliant manufacturers cannot sell thermostats in the state.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection must maintain a public list of registered collection points, conduct educational outreach, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly on collection rates starting February 1, 2014.

If collection rates fail to reach 65 percent of out-of-service mercury thermostats by July 1, 2015, the department must require modifications to manufacturer collection plans to improve performance.