News Releases

Page 1 of 77

• 10/2/2026 DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Turkey, Pheasant, and Small Game Hunting Seasons

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the Opening Days of the following fall hunting seasons:

• 10/1/2026 Governor Lamont Announces State Grants for 50 Projects To Plan, Build, Expand, Restore, and Improve Recreational Trails Across Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the award of approximately $10.5 million in grants supporting 50 projects that will plan, build, expand, restore, and improve multi-use trails across Connecticut. Investments will enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, strengthen connections between communities, improve public health, and support Connecticut’s growing outdoor recreation economy.

• 10/1/2026 MEDIA ADVISORY: Connecticut Greenways Council Presents the 8th Annual CT Trails Symposium

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the legislatively appointed Connecticut Greenways Council are hosting the 8th annual Connecticut Trails Symposium at Southern Connecticut State University on Friday October 2, 2026, from 8:00 am to 3:30pm. The Symposium brings together local, state, and regional officials, property owners, trail managers and volunteers, and showcases how communities can gather, plan, recreate, and support Connecticut’s statewide trails systems.

• 9/30/2026 DEEP Announces Start of Cold-Water Boating Season

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the official start of the state’s cold-water boating season. Beginning October 1 and continuing through May 31, all paddlers operating kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and rowboats – and their passengers – are required by state law to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on the water.

• 9/30/2026 Connecticut Celebrates Food Waste Prevention Week September 28-October 4

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut generates about 3.3 tons of municipal solid waste annually, which includes roughly 150,000 tons of excess edible food. At the same time, Connecticut has the highest rate of food insecurity in New England at 15.3%, impacting over 560,000 residents.

• 9/28/2026 Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino Statements on Trump Administration’s Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino released the following statements in response to the Trump administration’s final rule that was released today rolling back federal fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles (passenger vehicles and pick-up trucks):

• 9/24/2026 Connecticut and New England State Partners Announce Over 100 MW of Clean Energy Selections

  (HARTFORD)- Today, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), together with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Rhode Island Energy, announced the collective selection of new clean energy projects totaling 102.4 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation through a collaborative, multistate, competitive solicitation. Connecticut is procuring 63.4 MW across three projects, with the remainder procured by Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

• 9/23/2026 DEEP and Town of Waterford Announce Completion of Niantic River State Boat Launch Overflow Parking

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), in partnership with the Town of Waterford, announced on Wednesday the completion of significant improvements to the Niantic River State Boat Launch overflow parking area located at 371 and 365 Mago Point Way, Waterford. The upgraded lot expands and improves public access to the Niantic River and Long Island Sound while supporting revitalization efforts within the Mago Point business district.

• 9/22/2026 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP and Town of Waterford to Announce Completion of Niantic River State Boat Launch Overflow Parking

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), in partnership with the Town of Waterford, will announce the completion of significant improvements to the Niantic River State Boat Launch overflow parking area located at 371 and 365 Mago Point Way, Waterford on Wednesday. The upgraded lot expands and improves public access to the Niantic River and Long Island Sound while supporting revitalization efforts within the Mago Point business district.

• 9/21/2026 DEEP Urges Residents to Avoid Conflicts with Bears this Fall

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) strongly urges residents to follow best practices to reduce the likelihood of conflicts with black bears this fall.

• 9/17/2026 DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Investigating Untimely Death at Algonquin State Forest

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) are investigating an untimely death at Secret Lake in Algonquin State Forest in the town of Winsted.

• 9/17/2026 DEEP Seeks Broad Public Input on Development of Connecticut's Next Comprehensive Energy Strategy

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today issued a request for public comments from interested stakeholders and members of the public on the key strategic questions DEEP should examine in the state’s next Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES).

• 9/15/2026 Governor Lamont, Attorney General Tong, Acting Commissioner Cimino Criticize Trump Administration Repeal of Carbon Pollution Standards for Power Plants

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino are criticizing the Trump administration’s announcement today that it finalized its repeal of carbon pollution standards for power plants.

• 9/14/2026 Fall Archery Deer and Turkey Season Opens in September

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents that the 2026 fall archery hunting season for deer and turkey on state and private land opens on Tuesday, September 15.

• 9/11/2026 EnCon Police Identify Victim of Fatal Fall in Kent

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon), along with CT State Police, responded to the Appalachian Trail on River Rd in the town of Kent on Thursday afternoon for the report of a fall victim.