News Releases - 2022

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• 7/28/2022 DEEP Announces Upcoming No Child Left Inside Family Outdoor Discovery Days July 30 and August 6

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks Division is thrilled to announce two FREE family events sponsored by the No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Program with a Boating Day event happening Saturday, July 30 and a Saltwater Fishing Day event happening Saturday August 6!

• 7/26/2022 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone on Wednesday

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting very warm weather on Wednesday, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels across western Connecticut. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for parts of Connecticut on July 27, 2022.

• 7/22/2022 DEEP Urges Limited Outdoor Exposure and Water Safety As Heat Wave Continues This Weekend

  (HARTFORD, CT) – With high temperatures continuing this weekend, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) urges all residents and visitors to limit outdoor exertion and prolonged sun exposure, and for anyone considering getting in or on the water this weekend to prioritize water safety.

• 7/19/2022 DEEP Announces Availability of $4 Million in VW Settlement Funding For Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

  (HARTFORD)— The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce that up to $4 million is being made available for public and private entities to purchase and install light-duty Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). This funding is part of DEEP’s Diesel Emissions Mitigation Program to reduce transportation related air pollution from light duty gasoline and diesel vehicles, funded through a 2018 settlement between the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Volkswagen for violations of the Clean Air Act.

• 7/19/2022 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for Connecticut to Coincide with Heat Wave Beginning this Wednesday

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting high temperatures to reach the mid to upper 90s on Wednesday, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels across coastal Connecticut. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for parts of Connecticut on July 20, 2022 and could continue into the rest of the week.

• 7/8/2022 DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Conclude Investigation into Killing of Newtown Bear

  On May 12, 2022, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police and Newtown Police responded to a report of a homeowner that had shot a black bear. Following a comprehensive investigation, and coordination with the Newtown Police Department and the Geographical Area (GA) #3 State’s Attorney's Office in Danbury, officers have concluded their investigation into the killing of the bear known by the DEEP Wildlife Division as bear #217. Based upon the facts of the investigation, the State’s Attorney’s Office has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against the homeowner, Lawrence Clarke.

• 7/7/2022 DEEP Launches Updated Statewide Energy Efficiency Plan Focused on Decarbonization, Equity, and Affordability

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced its final approval of the 2022-2024 Conservation and Load Management Plan with modifications to transform the way Connecticut invests in energy efficiency while focusing on the following areas: equity, decarbonization, and affordability.

• 7/6/2022 DEEP Releases Request For Information For Broadband Infrastructure Grant Programs

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released today a Request for Information (RFI) to gather important market information and input from providers, municipalities, community groups, and members of the public, ahead of the anticipated broadband infrastructure deployment programs. This marks a critical step toward implementing Governor Lamont’s vision for universal and equitable broadband access in the state, and interested stakeholders are encouraged to read the RFI (linked below) and provide their input.

• 7/1/2022 DEEP Reminds Visitors to State Parks this Weekend to Plan Ahead, Arrive Early, and Have a Back-up Plan

  (HARTFORD)—Ahead of the July 4th Weekend, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Connecticut State Police, and municipal leaders remind visitors to state parks and boat launches to plan ahead, arrive early, and have a back-up plan in mind in case the location of your choice is full and closed to new visitors upon arrival.

• 6/30/2022 DEEP Announces Operation Dry Water 2022

  (HARTFORD)—As boaters begin to prepare for the July 4th holiday weekend, law enforcement officers across Connecticut will be on heightened alert looking for those violating boating under the influence laws. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon), in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Coast Guard, will be participating in the national Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend from July 2 – 4, 2022.

• 6/30/2022 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for Connecticut for Friday July 1

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting very warm weather on Friday, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels across much of Connecticut. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for parts of Connecticut on July 1, 2022.

• 6/29/2022 DEEP Announces Lifeguard Coverage For Fourth of July Weekend and the Summer Season

  (HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce that lifeguards will be on duty for Fourth of July weekend at eight of the most popular State Parks, and five to seven days a week through the majority of the summer at those parks.

• 6/28/2022 Fourth-of-July Weekend Beach Visitors Asked to “Fish, Swim, and Play from 50 Yards Away” of Bird Nesting Areas

  (HARTFORD)- Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is asking the public to help protect birds that nest in coastal areas by staying at least 50 yards away from places where large concentrations of birds are gathered and avoiding areas that are roped off or marked with signs designating nesting locations.

• 6/24/2022 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for Connecticut This Weekend

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting several days of very warm weather, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels across much of Connecticut. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for parts of Connecticut on June 24, 2022 and June 25, 2022.

• 6/23/2022 DEEP Launches ICAST Partnership to Deliver Weatherization Barrier Remediation Services to Connecticut Families

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the selection of a Program Operator for the Statewide Weatherization Barrier Remediation Program, partnering with the nationally recognized non-profit International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST).