News Releases - 2020

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• 3/27/2020 Connecticut Single Use Plastic Bag Fee Temporarily Suspended

  In light of recent concerns raised by retail employees over potential exposure to the novel coronavirus by handling reusable shopping bags, Gov. Ned Lamont is temporarily suspending the state’s ten-cent fee on plastic bags, and allowing retail employees the opportunity to decline to bag for customers who bring in reusable bags.

• 3/17/2020 DEEP to Temporarily Close Offices to Public

  Following the Executive Orders issued by Governor Lamont and the guidelines set forth by the CDC to establish social distancing and limit non-essential contact, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will temporarily close its office locations, including its headquarters at 79 Elm Street, Hartford, effective March 17, 2020 to public visitors as a precautionary measure to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.

• 3/17/2020 DEEP Requests PURA Issue Emergency Orders to Protect Utility Ratepayers During COVID-19 Pandemic

  HARTFORD, CT – On March 17, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) petitioned the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to investigate and address several issues to help protect Connecticut residents and businesses during the public health and civil preparedness emergencies related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Connecticut, and for a period of economic recovery afterward.

• 3/17/2020 DEEP to Temporarily Halt Enforcement of Bottle Redemption Requirements

  HARTFORD, CT – Effective March 17, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) temporarily suspended enforcement actions against Connecticut retailers for failing to accept empty beverage containers for redemption under the law known as the “bottle bill.” During this time, if stores do not accept empty beverage containers, DEEP will not issue them a notice of violation.

• 3/13/2020 DEEP Announces Precautionary Closures of Some Public Spaces

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that as a precaution to limit the risks presented by the Coronavirus, it is closing to the public certain satellite office locations, branch facilities, and high-traffic visitor centers within State Parks and Forests.

• 3/13/2020 DEEP Announces COVID-19 Operational Adjustments

• 3/5/2020 DEEP Seeking Opinions on Warm Water Fisheries

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Fisheries Division is pleased to invite all those interested to attend one of the public discussions focused on the State’s warm water recreational fisheries.

• 2/24/2020 EnCon Police Respond to Ice-Related Incidents at Two State Parks on Feb. 23

  EnCon Police responded to two ice-related incidents at Connecticut State Parks on Sunday, February 23. DEEP reminds the public that ice is never 100 percent safe and to use caution.

• 2/24/2020 DEEP Invites Residents to Help Study Bobcats

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is asking individuals to keep an eye out for special bobcat tracking collars while spending time outdoors this month.

• 2/18/2020 DEEP Announces the Winner of the 7th Annual Fishing Guide Cover Photo Contest

  The winning photo, captured by Jim Curcuruto of Middlebury, shows himself and his son Cooper Curcuruto with a pair of Largemouth Bass caught at the same time while fishing at Taunton Lake in Newtown.

• 2/10/2020 RecycleCT Foundation Awards More Than $17,000 in Grants to 16 Connecticut Schools

  The RecycleCT Foundation has awarded more than $17,000 in grants to 16 Connecticut schools as part of the RecycleCT School Grant program and in support of its mission to promote the importance of recycling and to encourage people, government, businesses and organizations to adopt recycling as part of their lives and every day operations.

• 1/30/2020 DEEP Hosts 14th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival

  Grab your winter gear, bundle up and join us for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) No Child Left Inside® 14th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park, 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington.