News Releases

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• 10/2/2025 DEEP launches 2025 DEEP Climate Resilience Fund

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce a call for applications and a draft Request for Proposals under an expanded DEEP Climate Resilience Fund. DEEP is making available up to $33 million in state funds and up to $11.8 million in federal funds for projects that protect communities and critical infrastructure from extreme weather. This opportunity is open to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other entities, and includes new funding categories that will support a wide range of community and energy resilience projects. In recent years, Connecticut has experienced widespread impacts from extreme weather, including historic flooding in the Naugatuck Valley, unprecedented wildfires, and the hottest summer weather on record. These climate-driven hazards have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to homes, roads, bridges, and businesses. Connecticut’s communities have endured these recent challenges from extreme weather just as federal support for resilience is becoming less certain.

• 10/1/2025 DEEP Reminds Boaters that Paddlers are Required to Wear Life Jackets Starting October 1

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds boaters that state law requires anyone operating a canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or other manually-propelled vessel between October 1 and May 31 must wear a personal floatation device (PFD).

• 10/1/2025 DEEP Seeks Innovative Proposals for Energy Efficiency Investment to Lower Ratepayer Costs and Improve Grid Resilience

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Final Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking bids for electric and natural gas energy efficiency and demand response measures to improve grid resilience and lower costs for customers. Proposals may offer, but are not limited to, upgrades to make buildings and systems more efficient, such as insulation, heating and cooling system upgrades, building energy management systems, and smart devices. The RFP encourages performance contracting where a customer’s energy bill savings would exceed their costs for completing the energy upgrades.  

• 9/29/2025 DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Turkey, Pheasant, and Small Game Hunting Seasons

  (HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the Opening Days of the fall hunting seasons

• 9/25/2025 Governor Lamont Signs Agreement Giving Connecticut Oversight of Radioactive Materials in Research, Manufacturing, and Healthcare

  (HARTFORD) – Governor Ned Lamont and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman David Wright today signed an agreement making Connecticut the federal agency’s 40th “Agreement State,” giving the State of Connecticut oversight over the handling of radioactive materials used by more than 100 Connecticut businesses in the research, manufacturing, and healthcare fields.

• 9/24/2025 DEEP Announces Increased Incentive Levels For CHEAPR Program Effective October 1st

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that the standard incentive level for the popular Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) program will be changing effective October 1, 2025. The CHEAPR program offers incentives to Connecticut residents who purchase or lease an eligible new or used battery electric (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicle from a licensed Connecticut automobile dealership or original equipment manufacturer.

• 9/23/2025 DEEP Requests Proposals for Recreational Trails Grants

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for the State’s Recreational Trails Grant Program. The grants awarded will be funded by a potential allocation of state bond funds in fiscal year 2026, authorized by CGS 23-103, as amended by PA 25-174, and may be limited by the actual amount allocated. An informational webinar will be offered October 16, and applications will be accepted through December 18, 2025.

• 9/18/2025 DEEP Approves Three-Year Energy Savings Plan for Connecticut

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued its Final Determination on the 2025-2027 Conservation and Load Management (C&LM) Plan, a comprehensive strategy which guides the priorities, design, and incentives for Connecticut’s energy efficiency and demand management programs. These programs, administered by Eversource and Avangrid under the brand name Energize Connecticut, drive down energy costs by supporting efficient building upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling system improvements, and building controls and industrial process improvements for businesses.

• 9/18/2025 Bat Appreciation Day to Be Held at Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine on September 20th

  (HARTFORD) — Join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) State Historic Preservation Office for a celebration of bat conservation at the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event helps raise awareness about the story of one of Connecticut’s most intriguing historical sites and its importance to the conservation of endangered species.

• 9/17/2025 DEEP Reminds Residents and Visitors to Exercise Caution During Fall Wildfire Season

  (HARFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents and visitors to our state that the typical fall wildfire season in Connecticut runs from October through the first widespread snowfall. During this period, dry weather and windy conditions, in combination with fallen leaves and increased sunlight reaching and warming the forest floor, can elevate the likelihood of a wildfire. Almost all wildfires are caused by humans and are therefore preventable. Maintaining awareness of fire danger and observing appropriate precautions are things that everyone can do to minimize the likelihood of starting a dangerous wildfire.

• 9/12/2025 Fall Archery Deer and Turkey Seasons Open in September

  (HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents that the 2025 fall archery hunting season for deer and turkey on state and private land opens on Monday, September 15.

• 9/10/2025 DEEP Issues RFP for Solar and Onshore Wind Facilities That Can Utilize Federal Tax Incentives

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released a final Request for Proposals (RFP) on an expedited schedule for solar and onshore wind facilities. DEEP is pursuing this RFP to seek bids from clean energy projects that could diversify the state’s energy sources, improve electric reliability, and save ratepayers money.

• 9/10/2025 DEEP Releases BEAD Program Final Proposal for Public Comment

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today a public comment period for its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Final Proposal, which outlines plans to bring high-speed internet to approximately 1,800 locations across the state. The draft Final Proposal can be found on DEEP’s website. The public comment period runs through September 16, 2025.

• 9/9/2025 DEEP: Stoppage of Revolution Wind Project Will Increase Costs for CT and New England Ratepayers, Make Grid Less Reliable

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) provided today preliminary analysis of the negative impacts the Trump Administration’s stop work order on the Revolution Wind project will have on near-term energy costs for Connecticut ratepayers, and ratepayers throughout the New England region, as well as the reliability of our regional electric grid. On August 22, 2025, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop work order halting all offshore construction on the Revolution Wind project, which is 80% complete.

• 9/8/2025 DEEP Announces Recipients of Annual Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant

  (HARTFORD) — Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that thirty-eight local volunteer fire departments are receiving a Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant (VFC Grant), which will improve firefighting capabilities by supporting training and equipment purchases. These funds are provided through a federal program that supports fire departments in towns with a population of less than 10,000 people.