News Releases

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• 3/16/2026 Governor Lamont and Commissioner Dykes Statements on Revolution Wind Delivering First Power to the New England Grid

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes released the following statements regarding the announcement that the Revolution Wind offshore wind project has begun delivering its first power to the New England grid:

• 3/12/2026 DEEP to Conduct Prescribed Burns at Nine Locations This Spring

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) plans to conduct prescribed (controlled) burns at nine locations this spring, weather and conditions permitting. The areas include Barn Island Wildlife Management Area in Stonington, James L. Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, Mansfield Hollow State Park in Mansfield, Matianuck Natural Area Preserve in Windsor, Nehantic State Forest in Lyme, Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown, Quinebaug River Wildlife Management Area in Plainfield, Tunxis State Forest in West Hartland, and Windsor Wildlife Management Area in Windsor.

• 3/11/2026 DEEP and DECD Mark Implementation of New Release-Based Cleanup Program

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced today that on March 1, 2026, the Connecticut Transfer Act officially sunset and was replaced by the new Release-Based Cleanup program, a new regulatory framework that will streamline the remediation and redevelopment of blighted properties impacted by pollution from past industrial uses, a game-changing transition for Connecticut that is a win for both the environment and the economy.

• 3/10/2026 DEEP Announces RFI and Technical Meeting on CT Electric Grid’s System Efficiency

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently announced a request for information to inform its study of the Connecticut electric grid’s efficiency and an accompanying technical meeting, which will be held on Friday, March 20th.

• 3/9/2026 DEEP Announces State Park Lifeguard Tryouts in March

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced tryouts for lifeguard positions at Connecticut State Parks for the Summer 2026 season. March isn’t just for college basketball. It’s also tryout season for Connecticut State Park Lifeguards. If you have what it takes to join our team of strong, highly trained, open-water lifeguards, meet us at the pool!

• 3/3/2026 DEEP Announces $950,000 in Grants to Enhance Urban Tree Canopy Cover in Connecticut Communities

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is excited to announce the recipients of Urban & Community Forestry Trees for Communities Grants for 2026, as well as a new funding opportunity that will support the stewardship of resilient forest practices in rural municipal and tribal forests. Over $950,000 in Urban & Community Forestry Trees for Communities grants was awarded to support nine projects across Connecticut municipalities and non-profits. This grant program supports urban forestry projects that increase tree cover and contribute to urban forestry objectives in low-canopy communities. Funded projects will conduct activities such as tree planting and maintenance, urban wood utilization, community outreach, and workforce development. You can learn more about these projects below and online at Urban Forestry Grant Accomplishments.

• 3/2/2026 Connecticut Greenways Council Accepting Formal Greenways Nominations

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Greenways Council announced today that they are now soliciting nominations for official state greenway designations.

• 2/27/2026 Commissioner Dykes and Commissioner Juthani Statements on EPA’s Weakening of the Mercury Air Toxics Rule

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes and Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani released the following statements in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent announcement that it has rolled back air quality standards for coal-burning power plants that will result in greater emissions of heavy metals such as mercury, and other toxic pollutants. Mercury emissions pose a significant public health and environmental issue.

• 2/23/2026 DEEP Notifies Municipalities of Snow Removal and Disposal Guidance

  (HARTFORD)- Today, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes notified governmental entities that DEEP is providing additional flexibility for municipalities and other government entities to utilize in-water snow disposal options. Due to the extraordinary winter conditions being experienced across the state resulting from the ongoing blizzard, DEEP is offering this flexibility to governmental entities including towns and state agencies to ease snow disposal challenges that may pose a threat to public safety. This additional flexibility will allow towns to more easily clear road access for emergency vehicles, and will prevent negative impacts from blocked drainage infrastructure, like localized flooding.

• 2/19/2026 DEEP, Manresa Island Corp. Announce Stewardship Permit for Manresa Island

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes and Manresa Island Corp. (a subsidiary of Manresa Osprey LLC) announced today the recent issuance of a Stewardship Permit to facilitate the cleanup and redevelopment of the former fossil fuel power plant located at 1 Manresa Island Road, Norwalk. Called Manresa Wilds, the project has been driven by Manresa Island Corp., a non-profit founded by Norwalk residents Austin and Allison McChord in October of 2024 to transform this 125-acre property into a vibrant, publicly accessible community park on the Long Island Sound. The Stewardship Permit outlines the work necessary to clean up the property, including measures to catalyze the opening of the Northern Forest to the public in Spring 2027.

• 2/11/2026 DEEP Announces Recruitment Campaign to fill Seasonal Employment Opportunities Across the State

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting applications for hundreds of seasonal positions. Opportunities include working in outdoor recreation, conservation, forestry, scientific research and law enforcement. Positions are available across the state; in field offices, parks, boat launches, forests and indoor educational centers and museums.

• 2/4/2026 No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival Postponed

  (HARTFORD)— Due to the forecasted weather conditions this weekend, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is postponing the No Child Left Inside® 20th annual Winter Festival scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7th, at Burr Pond State Park. The event has been postponed and is rescheduled for Saturday February 21st at Burr Pond State Park at 384 Burr Mountain Road in Torrington.

• 2/2/2026 DEEP Issues Request for Proposals for Paddlecraft Rental Services in Seven CT State Parks

  (HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for canoe, kayak and/or stand-up paddleboard rental services at seven state parks including Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold, Indian Well State Park in Shelton, Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent, Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield, Pattaconk Lake/Reservoir Recreation Area in Cockaponset State Forest in Chester/Haddam and Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield.

• 2/2/2026 DEEP to Host 20th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival Postponed; Rescheduled for Feb. 21st

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Winter is a great time to celebrate the outdoors with your friends and family, enjoying the crisp, cold New England weather. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites the public to join the free No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) 20th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park at 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington on Saturday February 7, 2026, from 10 am to 3 pm.

• 1/30/2026 DEEP Announces 2026 Zero Carbon Request for Proposals

  (HARTFORD)-The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released a final Request for Proposals (RFP) today seeking proposals to provide zero carbon electric power from nuclear, hydropower, solar, onshore wind and associated transmission, and/or paired and co-located energy storage systems to diversify the state’s energy sources, improve electric reliability, and save ratepayers money. Through this RFP, DEEP will coordinate with other New England states that also are interested in potentially procuring these resources. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont, or their respective utilities, have expressed interest in participating under their states’ relevant authorities.