(a) The commissioner may develop, adopt, maintain and enforce a comprehensive state-wide program of noise regulation which may include, but need not be limited to the following: (1) Controls on environmental noise through the regulation and restriction of the use and operation of any stationary noise source; (2) ambient noise standards for stationary noise sources which in the commissioner's judgment are major sources of noise when measured from beyond the property line of such source and such standards shall be feasible and requisite to protect the public health, safety and welfare; such standards may include, but need not be limited to, adoption by reference of standards or regulations adopted by the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-574) or any amendment thereto; (3) consultation with state and local governmental agencies when such agencies adopt and enforce codes, standards and regulations dealing with noise insulation and abatement for any occupancy or class of occupancy; (4) controls on airport and aircraft noise to the extent not preempted by federal law; nor shall the state preempt power of local governments, in their capacity as proprietors of airports or under police powers.

(b) (1) Any regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter shall be adopted pursuant to chapter 54 and shall be one which, in the judgment of the commissioner, is requisite to protect the public health, safety and welfare, taking into account the magnitude and conditions of use or operation of the stationary noise source involved, alone or in combination with other such sources, the degree of noise reduction achievable through the application of the best available and practical technology, taking into consideration technology which may be available at the time the regulation becomes effective.

(2) Regulations promulgated pursuant to the authority of this chapter may be applicable throughout the state or to such parts or regions thereof specifically designated in such regulations.

(3) The commissioner shall adopt regulations providing for the granting of individual variances from the provisions of this chapter, whenever it is found, upon presentation by the petitioner of adequate proof, that compliance with any provision of this chapter, any regulation promulgated under it or an order of the commissioner would impose an arbitrary or unreasonable hardship.

(P.A. 74-328, S. 4, 12; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-10, S. 13, 20.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-10 amended Subsec. (a) to make the commissioner's powers and duties under this section discretionary.