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. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Stakeholder Outreach and Participation Through DEEP

DEEP offers many opportunities for stakeholders to participate in shaping our policies and regulations, ranging from working groups and advisory committees to other recurring discussions. Following are some key examples:

Bottle Bill Advisory Group engages stakeholders and legislators and solicits input on the areas of interest and question regarding components and implementation of the state’s bottle redemption program, pursuant to PA 21-58.

Broadband Stakeholder Roundtable is a quarterly public discussion on the latest program updates and a tailored discussion on the opportunities and obstacles to universal, affordable, and reliable high-speed internet in Connecticut. Meetings are organized by organization types including service providers, state and local governments, and community organizations.

Commission on Environmental Standards (CES) provides input on best practices to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to wildlife, natural ecosystems, and traditional or existing water-dependent uses during the construction and operation of offshore wind power facilities, pursuant to PA 19-71. Recordings of its meetings are listed on the Concierge page.

Connecticut Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM) explores reduction of waste, increasing recycling and organics diversion, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, and other innovative solutions through a DEEP, municipal, and stakeholder forum.

Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) advises the Commissioner of DEEP on current and historic environmental injustice, pollution reduction, energy equity, climate change mitigation and resiliency, health disparities, and racial inequity.

Conservation & Load Management Plan/Energy Efficiency Board (C&LM Plan/EEB) is an energy efficiency and demand management investment plan that develops programs and initiatives to help Connecticut residents and businesses become more energy efficient. The Energy Efficiency Board is a group of appointed advisors who utilize their experience and expertise to evaluate, advise, and assist the state’s utility companies in developing and implementing comprehensive, cost-effective energy conservation and market transformation plans. The Board ensures these plans help Connecticut consumers reduce energy use in their homes and businesses and help the State meet its changing and growing energy needs.

Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) monitors and reports on the state’s implementation of greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies and develops and implements adaptation strategies to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee (HWAC) is a stakeholder-driven discussion on the management of hazardous waste.

Release-Based Working Group provides advice and recommendations to DEEP on regulations that will implement a release-based cleanup program at this public meeting.

Remediation Roundtable is  a public forum for the exchange of ideas and information on the cleanup of contamination.

Sensor Loan Program deploys air sensors primarily in environmentally overburdened communities utilizing citizen science and also promotes education and outreach and public health awareness around air pollution. Data collection is web-based, and local, real-time data is displayed on the webpage.

Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) is an open stakeholder forum to identify emerging issues and solutions for materials management.

State Implementation Plan Advisory Committee (SIPRAC) is an advisory committee on Connecticut's implementation of the Clean Air Act, where DEEP solicits advice from in-state stakeholders.

State Natural Heritage, Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Review Board is an independent advisory group appointed to oversee the Protected Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) and the Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program (RNHT), pursuant to CGS Sec. 7 131(e).

Sustainable Transparent and Efficient Practices for Solar Development (STEPS) is a stakeholder engagement process to identify policies, legislative actions, and best practices related to the procurement, siting, and permitting of solar energy generating facilities.

Other opportunities:

DEEP provides many other opportunities for your participation: ways to provide public comment on our initiatives and regulations; signing up for our newsletters; joining DEEP-related boards and commissions; and participating in the permitting public notice process.

 

Content last updated February, 2024