News Releases - 2023

Page 4 of 7

• 7/11/2023 Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition and Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Rounds Open Through Oct. 2

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is encouraging municipalities, land trusts, and water companies to apply for funding to aid in the purchase and protection of open space through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant Program. This round of grants represents the 26th funding round of grants awarded under the program. Additionally, DEEP welcomes municipalities considered distressed or target investments communities to apply for funding through the Urban Green and Community Garden Program (UGCG). Both programs are accepting applications through October 2, 2023.

• 7/1/2023 DEEP Forecasts PM2.5 Levels on Saturday will be “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” for the Entire State from Canadian Wildfire Smoke; DPH Shares Health Effects Information and Suggests Protective Measures

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to elevate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels on Saturday, July 1. These levels are expected to reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for the entire state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) also is issuing guidance and information on protective measures. Ozone levels (smog) are also expected to reach USG levels in Fairfield and New Haven counties.

• 6/30/2023 Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, DEEP, & DOT Remind Residents To Utilize Bus Service To State Parks & Beaches Through ParkConneCT This Summer

  (Hartford) – Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz joined DEEP and DOT officials today to remind residents that the ParkConneCT bus service will continue this summer, providing public transit options for safe and reliable transportation to various Connecticut State Parks and Beaches. The pilot program, which began in 2021, will provide public transit options for safe and reliable transportation to Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands, Osbornedale, Indian Well, Sleeping Giant, and Sherwood Island State Parks.

• 6/30/2023 DEEP Applauds More Than $22 Million in State Bond Commission Funding Approvals

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today received more than $22 million from the State Bond Commission that will fund several key environmental initiatives across the state, including state park improvements, land acquisition for open space and outdoor recreation, and testing of private drinking water wells for the presence of PFAS.

• 6/30/2023 DEEP Forecasts Unhealthy Levels of PM2.5 Friday for the Entire State from Canadian Wildfire Smoke; DPH Shares Health Effects Information and Suggests Protective Measures

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to elevate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels on Friday, June 30th. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy levels for the entire state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) also is issuing guidance for those residents in the USG category.

• 6/29/2023 DEEP Announces $1.6 Million in Beverage Container Recycling Grant Awards in Urban Centers and Environmental Justice Communities

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce the first round of grant awards for the Beverage Container Recycling Grant program. The grant program supports the establishment and expansion of beverage container redemption centers in urban centers and environmental justice communities.

• 6/29/2023 DEEP Reminds Visitors to State Parks to Plan Ahead this Weekend Arrive Early and Have a Back-up Plan

  (HARTFORD) — Ahead of the July 4th Weekend, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Connecticut State Police, and municipal leaders remind visitors to state parks and boat launches to plan ahead, arrive early, and have a back-up plan in case the location of your choice is full and closed to new visitors.

• 6/28/2023 DEEP Announces Launch of Operation Dry Water

  (HARTFORD) — In an effort to educate recreational boaters nationwide about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol or drugs, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be participating in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to decrease the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water.

• 6/28/2023 DEEP Launches States First Electric Bike Voucher Program

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the launch of the State’s first electric bicycle (eBike) voucher program, helping to offer residents a different clean transportation option, with increased incentives for low- and moderate-income individuals and those who live in distressed or environmental justice (EJ) communities.

• 6/27/2023 Governor Lamont Announces Release of $6 Million in Volkswagen Settlement Funds To Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is releasing more than $6 million from the legal settlement in the Volkswagen Corporation (VW) emissions cheating scandal to fund 54 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) projects across Connecticut.

• 6/26/2023 Governor Lamont Commits $85 Million in State Funding To Address Flooding Mitigation in North Hartford

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is committing $85 million in state funding from the state’s Clean Water Fund and Clean Water Fund-related funding to implement a pilot program that will address sewage overflows in streets and basements in North Hartford, where residents have been chronically impacted by the long-term recurrence of sewer overflows.

• 6/26/2023 Governor Lamont and Commissioner Dykes Statements on President Biden’s Announcement of $144 Million To Improve Broadband Connectivity in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes released the following statements in response to the announcement made today by President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration that Connecticut is receiving $144 million in federal funding to support its ongoing efforts in deploying affordable, reliable high-speed internet service statewide:

• 6/16/2023 DEEP and White Memorial Conservation Center Launch Bat Cam

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division and White Memorial Conservation Center have worked together to establish a “Bat Cam” in a Litchfield barn. The barn, on the White Memorial property, is where female big brown bats give birth and raise their young every year.

• 6/14/2023 Governor Lamont Announces $8.8 Million in State Funding To Support 21 Climate Resilience Plans and Project Development Grants

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut is awarding $8.8 million in grants through the inaugural round of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF). These state awards will support 21 innovative climate resilience plans and projects across 17 Connecticut municipalities and councils of governments.

• 6/12/2023 DEEP Announces $1.46 Million to Support Clean Air Vehicle and Equipment Projects in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the awarding of more than $1.46 million to support the state’s efforts to reduce diesel air pollution. The eight projects announced today are part of the 2022 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) State Grant Program.