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

Man installing residential solar panel

About header title
  • Clean energy refers to electricity, heating, and fuels supplied from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower, and other decarbonized fuels, as well as energy saved by energy efficiency measures. Shifting to clean energy is crucial to head off climate change, protect public health, and make our communities more resilient and equitable.
  • Polluting and carbon-emitting energy resources historically have been sited in low-income communities, creating inequitable living conditions and health outcomes. Further, older homes common in these communities tend to be less energy efficient. Without efficiency improvements, residents are forced to consume more energy and spend a higher proportion of their income on energy bills. As Connecticut shifts to clean energy sources, addressing these inequities is important.
  • With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, energy resilience – the ability prepare for, adapt to, and recover from any energy disruptions caused by these weather events – is increasingly important.
  • The Office of Energy Supply and InfrastructureOffice of Buildings and Transportation Decarbonization and the Office of Affordable Housing Energy Retrofits play a critical role in Connecticut’s transition to clean energy.

Initiatives header title

 

Integrated Resource Plan Cover

Integrated Resource Plan

The Integrated Resource Plan comprises an assessment of the future electric needs and a plan to meet those future needs. It is “integrated” in that it looks at both demand side (conservation, energy efficiency, etc.) resources as well as the more traditional supply side (generation/power plants, transmission lines, etc.) resources in its recommendations on how best to meet future electric energy needs and climate goals of the state. Learn More

 

 

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Procurements for Grid-Scale Renewable Energy Resources

DEEP’s Procurements for Grid-Scale Renewable Energy Resources bring clean resources online, diversify our fuel sources to improve reliability, and decarbonize the electric sector. Learn More

 

 

 

 

 

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The Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) Program

The SCEF Program was established by Public Act 18-50 Section 7(c) to support the deployment of renewable energy resources and provide on-bill electric savings for participating subscribersThe Statewide SCEF Program began in 2020 and includes an annual clean energy procurement for six years. Learn More

 

  

 
 
MicrogridThe Microgrid and Resilience Grant and Loan Program

The Microgrid and Resilience Grant and Loan Program creates local distributed energy generation for critical facilities. A Microgrid generally operates while connected to the grid but can disconnect and operate in island mode on its own if there is a crisis such as a power outage or a major storm.

 

 

 

 

Steps for Solar Development

Sustainable, Transparent, and Efficient Practices (STEPS) for Solar Development

Sustainable, Transparent, and Efficient Practices (STEPS) for Solar Development identifies policies, legislative actions, and best practices, particularly related to the procurement, siting, and permitting of ground-mounted solar systems in Connecticut. Learn More

 

 

 

  

Siting Clean Energy on Connecticut Brownfields

Siting Clean Energy on Connecticut Brownfields

Siting Clean Energy on Connecticut Brownfields is particularly effective since resources like solar can require large sites for installation and help reuse land with limited development opportunitiesLearn More

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a cooperative effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia (participating RGGI states) to cap and reduce power sector CO2 emissions. 
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Renewable Thermal Energy

Renewable thermal energy

Renewable thermal energy is a key element of Connecticut’s deployment of clean energy. A wide range of technologies – from heat pumps to biofuels to solar water heating – harvest energy from the environment to provide buildings with efficient, low-carbon heating and cooling. Learn More

 

 

 

 

 

DEEP is regularly involved in regional electricity matters, including participation before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the region’s grid operator, ISO New England, through the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) stakeholder process to advocate for ways to ensure a continued transition to a cleaner electricity grid that is reliable, equitable, and affordable. With these efforts, DEEP helped prepare the New England States’ Vision for a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable 21st Century Regional Electric Grid, which included the issuance of a Vision Statement, a report to the region’s governors, and a series of technical meetings examining wholesale market design, governance reforms, transmission planning, and environmental justice and equity issues.

 

Key Partners header title

 

PURA LogoThe Public Utilities Regulatory Authority regulates the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor-owned electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state’s cable television companies. PURA balances the public’s right to safe, adequate, and reliable utility service at reasonable rates with the provider’s right to a reasonable return on its investment. PURA also oversees utility-administered programs supporting on-site renewable energy deployment, like the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions.

 

CT Green BankThe Connecticut Green Bank offers incentives and innovative low-cost financing to encourage homeowners, companies, municipalities, and other institutions to support both renewable energy and energy efficiency.

 

HeatSmart LogoThe HeatSmart Connecticut Program is a community-based outreach and education program that promotes the adoption of clean heating and cooling technologies in Connecticut.

 

NESCOE LogoNESCOE represents the collective perspective of the six New England Governors in regional electricity matters and advances the New England states’ common interest in the provision of electricity to consumers at the lowest possible prices over the long-term, consistent with maintaining reliable service and environmental quality.

 

Energy Efficiency BoardThe Energy Efficiency Board is a group of advisors who evaluate, advise, and assist the state’s utility companies in developing and implementing comprehensive, cost-effective energy conservation and market transformation plans to help Connecticut consumers reduce and decarbonize energy use in their homes and businesses.

 

 

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Content last updated July 2022