(a) The council shall submit annually to the Governor an environmental quality report, which shall set forth: (1) The status of the major environmental categories including, but not limited to, the air, the water and the land environment; (2) current and foreseeable trends in the quality, management and utilization of the environment and the effects of such trends on the social, economic and health requirements of the state; (3) the adequacy of available natural resources for fulfilling human and economic requirements of the state in the light of projected population pressures; (4) a review of the programs and activities of the state and local governments and private organizations, with particular reference to their effect on the environment and on the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources; (5) a program for remedying the deficiencies of existing programs and activities, together with recommendations for legislation; and (6) the progress towards achievement of the goals and objectives established in the state-wide environmental plan.

(b) The council shall have the authority to require submission by all state agencies, at all stages of development, of construction plans for review and comment by the council which shall include, but not be limited to, all plans of the Department of Transportation which anticipate the paving or building upon land not previously paved or built upon, and location or expansion of noise-producing facilities such as airports; and all plans of the Department of Administrative Services which anticipate the paving or building upon land not previously paved or built upon, the construction of structures occupying a substantially greater air space than predecessor structures in the same location, and the location or expansion of noise or pollution-producing facilities such as heating plants, but which shall not include the conversion by The University of Connecticut of a commercial or office structure to an educational structure; provided the function of the council with respect to such plans shall be advisory and consultative only.