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

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02/08/2018

DEEP Releases Finalized Comprehensive Energy Strategy

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today released the finalized Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) for Connecticut which focuses on building a 21st energy system that lowers costs for homeowners and businesses and reduces carbon emissions to help achieve the state’s aggressive climate change goals.

“Connecticut is committed to taking real action to address one of the most pressing global issues of our time, climate change. If we fail to take real action as a state, nation and global community to address climate change, future generations will suffer irreparable consequences,” Governor Dannel P. Malloy said. “This energy strategy will help guide our state into the future to ensure that no matter what policies come from Washington, our state will continue to lead in the deployment of renewable energy resources and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

“The updated Comprehensive Energy Strategy provides a roadmap towards a cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy system,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “These strategies identify new tools and approaches that can help us achieve our ambitious goals as cost-effectively as possible.”
“Strengthening Connecticut’s commitment to energy efficiency and renewable generation rank high on the list of CES priorities.  Energy efficiency helps reduce consumer energy bills, and improve the competitiveness of Connecticut businesses,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Mary Sotos. “Making smart investments in the clean energy economy will have a significant and positive impact upon future generations.”
Key Themes of the 2018 Finalized CES

The finalized 2018 CES focuses on eight key strategies designed to further efforts to bring cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy to our state.  These include:
  • Ensure sustainable and equitable funding for efficiency
  • Advance market transformation of the energy efficiency industry
  • Grow and sustain renewable and zero-carbon generation in the state and region
  • Expand deployment of all cost-effective distributed generation (“behind the meter”) in a sustainable manner
  • Continue to improve grid reliability and resiliency through state and regional efforts
  • Reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the adoption of low and zero emission vehicles and strengthening alternative-fueling infrastructure
  • Increase mobility, connectivity and accessibility by advancing smart-growth, mixed-use transit-oriented development, and innovative transportation partnerships
  • Modernize the grid
The finalized 2018 CES released by DEEP provides an update to the state’s first-ever CES, which was released in 2013.  The development and periodic updating of the CES as required in landmark energy legislation, Public Act 11-80, signed into law by Governor Malloy on July 1, 2011.
The completed report can be found here: 2018 Comprehensive Energy Strategy
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