Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

History of
Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

During the 1960’s, people were increasingly concerned about the quality of the environment. This growing public interest culminated in millions of people taking to the streets for demonstrations around the nation marking the very first Earth Day in April of 1970.

Public support for action to improve the environment led the 1971 session of Connecticut’s General Assembly to create a new state agency – the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  The new agency brought together numerous state boards and commissions that had been addressing issues related to the environment and the outdoors, such as the Water Resources Board, the Board of Fisheries and Game and the Parks and Forest Commission.

After signing this bill into law, then Governor Thomas Meskill appointed Dan W. Lufkin to serve as the Department’s first Commissioner.  Commissioner Lufkin split the new agency into two divisions:

  • one concerned with outdoor recreation and conservation, and
  • the other with protection of the quality of Connecticut’s air, water, and lands.
In the time since the launch of DEP, great progress has been made in
  • cleaning up the waters of Long Island Sound and inland,
  • improving air quality,
  • beautifying Connecticut’s landscape,
  • the protection of natural resources,
  • the expansion of the network of state parks and forests, and
  • the restoration of terrestrial wildlife and aquatic life in the state’s waterways.

Over the year’s DEP’s role also grew, as new environmental issues emerged and as it took on responsibilities delegated to the states under various federal programs

The agency’s responsibilities were significantly expanded in 2011, with the passage of Public Act 11-80, giving DEP responsibility for developing and implementing state energy policy.  As a result of this legislation, the name of the agency was changed to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). As part of this change, the energy office at the Office and Policy and Management and the state’s utility regulatory authority became part of DEEP.

This new structure gave Connecticut – for the first time –  a state agency with a focus on Connecticut’s energy future.  Since then, the state has taken strong steps to expand energy efficiency programs, deploy clean energy resources, and reduce carbon emissions into our atmosphere to address Climate Change.

In its first days, DEP was an agency that had 491 full-time employees, a budget of just over $7 million and offices scattered all over Hartford. Today, the agency has more than 950 full-time employees, a budget of more than $170 million, an attractive main office at 79 Elm Street, Hartford, major field locations; and a state park and forest system offering 142 locations for people to enjoy the outdoors. 

 

Current and Former Commissioners (DEP/DEEP)

Name Years of Service Governor
Katie Dykes 2019 - Present Ned Lamont
Rob Klee 2014 - 2019 Dannel Malloy
Daniel C. Esty 2011 - 2014 Dannel Malloy
Amey Marrella 2009 – 2011 M. Jodi Rell
Gina McCarthy  2004 – 2009 M. Jodi Rell
Arthur J. Rocque, Jr. 1997 – 2004 John G. Rowland
Sidney J. Holbrook 1995 – 1997 John G. Rowland 
Timothy R. E. Keeney 1991 – 1995 Lowell P. Weicker
Leslie Carothers 1987 – 1991 William P. O’Neill
Stanley J. Pac  1977 – 1987 Ella T. Grasso
Joseph N. Gill 1975 – 1976 Ella T. Grasso
Douglas M. Costle 1973 – 1975 Thomas J. Meskill
Dan W. Lufkin  1971 – 1973 Thomas J. Meskill

 

Content last updated June 2019