Comprehensive Energy Strategy

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

Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES)

The Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) examines future energy needs in the state and identifies opportunities to reduce costs for ratepayers, ensure reliable energy availability, and mitigate public health and environmental impacts of Connecticut's energy use, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emissions of criteria air pollutants. Under Section 16a-3d of the Connecticut General Statutes, DEEP is charged with preparing a CES every four years. In planning for effective management of Connecticut's energy system -- including electricity, heating, cooling, and fuels used for transportation -- the CES provides recommendations for legislative and administrative actions that will aid in the achievement of interrelated environmental, economic, security, and reliability goals. Governor Lamont's Executive Order 21-3 directs DEEP to include in the next CES a set of strategies to: (1) provide for more affordable heating and cooling for Connecticut residents and businesses, (2) achieve reductions in GHG emissions from residential buildings and industrial facilities as needed to enable the state to meet the economy-wide GHG reduction targets for 2030 and 2050 established in the Global Warming Solutions Act, and (3) improve the resilience of the state's energy sector to extreme weather events, fuel commodity price spikes, and other disruptions.

2022 CES Technical Sessions

Session #1 | Intro & Foundation Issues – End Uses that are Hard to Decarbonize

September 1, 2022 at 9 AM| Agenda | Recording | Slide Deck (AM) | Slide Deck (PM)

Session #2A | Building Thermal Decarbonization – Heat Pump Barriers and Market Strategies

Session #2B | Building Thermal Decarbonization – Heat Pump Barriers and Market Strategies

September 23, 2022 at 9 AM| Agenda | Recording | Slide Deck

Session #3 | Building Thermal Decarbonization – Support Strategies

September 23, 2022 at 1 PM| Agenda | Recording | Slide Deck

[CANCELLED] Session #4 | Building Thermal Decarbonization – Economic Potential and Technology Targets

October 6, 2022 at 9 AM

Session #5 | Active Demand Response

November 3, 2022 at 9 AM| Agenda | Recording | Slide Deck

2022 CES Proceeding

December 12, 2022 | Notice of Request for Written Comments

With this Notice of Request for Written Comments, DEEP invites stakeholders to submit written comments related to technical sessions 7 (Methane/Natural gas distribution planning and policies) and 8 (Market-based decarbonization programs and low-carbon incentives). Instructions for submitting comments can be found in the notice. Written comments are due by January 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

November 23, 2022 | Notice of Technical Session 8

With this Notice of Technical Session 8 DEEP invites stakeholder participation in a technical session focused on market-based decarbonization programs and low-carbon incentives. The session will inform development of key elements of the CES.

November 18, 2022 | Notice of Technical Session 7

With this Notice of Technical Session 7 DEEP invites stakeholder participation in a technical session focused on methane/natural gas distribution planning and policies. The session will inform development of key elements of the CES.

October 28, 2022 | Notice of Request for Written Comments

With this Notice of Request for Written Comments, DEEP invites stakeholders to submit written comments related to cancelled technical session 4 (Building Thermal Decarbonization – Economic Potential and Technology Targets). Instructions for submitting comments can be found in the Notice. A summary of previously submitted written comments on the technical session 4 topic can be viewed here

October 19, 2022 | Notice of Technical Sessions 5 and 6

With this Notice of Technical Sessions 5 and 6 DEEP invites stakeholder participation in two additional technical sessions that will inform development of key elements of the CES. DEEP also invites stakeholders to submit written comments related to technical sessions 5 and 6. Instructions for submitting comments can be found in the Notice.

September 29, 2022 | Notice of Technical Session 4 Cancellation and Intent for New Written Comment Opportunity

With this Notice of Technical Session 4 Cancellation and Intent for New Written Comment Opportunity, DEEP announces that no Technical Session will take place on October 6, 2022.

August 18, 2022 | Notice of Request for Written Comments

With this Notice of Request for Written Comments, DEEP invites stakeholders to submit written comments related to technical sessions 1-4. Instructions for submitting comments can be found in the Notice.

August 17, 2022 | Notice of Technical Session Date Changes

Due to religious holidays during the week of September 26, DEEP issued a Notice of Technical Session Date Changes.

August 1, 2022 | Revised Notice of Technical Meetings | Previous Notice

DEEP invited stakeholder participation in a series of additional Technical Meetings that will inform the development of key elements of the CES. DEEP expects to use information gathered during these technical sessions to inform other energy planning processes, such as future Conservation & Load Management Plans and Integrated Resource Plans. Please see the notice for details on how to participate.

April 6, 2022 | Notice of Hydrogen Technical Meeting| Presentation | Recording

DEEP held a virtual Hydrogen Technical Meeting regarding incorporating a strategy for development of hydrogen resources into the 2022 CES.

February 17, 2022 | Comprehensive Energy Strategy Scoping Meeting Presentation | Recording

DEEP held a virtual Comprehensive Energy Strategy Scoping Meeting to deliver a presentation and receive stakeholder comments on the scope of the 2022 CES. The objective of the scoping meeting was to provide an overview of, and seek public input on, the expected structure, schedule, and topics for the CES, as well as key issues that will be a focus of the CES analysis.

January 6, 2022 | Notice of Proceeding and Scoping Meeting

On January 6, 2022, DEEP issued a Notice of Proceeding and Scoping Meeting initiating its stakeholder process for development of the next CES. The 2022 CES will build on and/or potentially modify findings and recommendations of prior Comprehensive Energy Strategies released in 2013 and 2018.

Stay Connected

Participants interested in keeping up to date should email DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov and ask to be put on the distribution list for the 2022 Comprehensive Energy Strategy.

To view filings select the link below:

DEEP Energy Web Filings

Any questions on the above-referenced processes should be addressed to DEEP.EnergyBureau@CT.gov

View Previous Comprehensive Energy Strategies

Content last updated December 2022

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection