News Releases - 2023

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• 6/9/2023 DEEP Celebrates Passage of Environmental Justice Bill by Connecticut General Assembly

  (HARTFORD)--The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) applauds the passage of Senate Bill 1147, An Act Concerning the Environmental Justice Program of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by the Connecticut General Assembly. This significant legislation, raised at DEEP’s request, builds upon Connecticut's longstanding commitment to environmental justice and marks another milestone in our state's efforts to protect vulnerable communities and ensure equitable access to a clean and healthy environment.

• 6/9/2023 DEEP’s Next No Child Left Inside® Families in the Parks Program is Saturday

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) presents its next 2023 No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Families in the Parks Program at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington on Saturday. Registration for NCLI is now open at: www.NoChildLeftInside.org

• 6/9/2023 Air Quality to Improve Friday as Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Moves to the South and West of Connecticut

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec that impacted Connecticut this week to continue to recede throughout the day on Friday, with air quality improving statewide.

• 6/8/2023 Air Quality to Remain at Unhealthy Levels through Thursday Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to continue to linger throughout the day on Thursday and result in elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy levels for the entire state as the smoke slowly disperses throughout the day.

• 6/8/2023 DEEP Re-imposes Alcohol Ban for Seven Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has re-imposed temporary alcohol bans for seven state recreation areas. These bans are in effect from Friday, June 9, through Wednesday, September 6, at the following locations:

• 6/7/2023 DEEP Forecasts Unhealthy Levels of PM2.5 Wednesday for the Entire State from Canadian Wildfire Smoke

  (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 Wednesday, June 7th. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy levels for the entire state.

• 6/5/2023 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of PM25 from Smoke Tonight and Tuesday

  (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 beginning after 9:00 pm on Monday, June 5th.. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for an extended period during the overnight period in Western Connecticut and covering the entire State by daybreak.

• 6/5/2023 DEEP Applauds the Passage of Senate Bill 1148 by the General Assembly

  (HARTFORD) – Commissioner Dykes Statement on the Passage of SB 1148:

• 6/2/2023 DEEP Reminds Municipalities and Beach Associations of Seasonal Prohibitions on Beach Grading and Raking

  (HARTFORD)-- As the summer beach season approaches, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds municipalities and associations that manage beach properties of seasonal prohibitions on beach grading and raking that are important for wildlife conservation.

• 6/2/2023 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for Friday June 2 2023

  (HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting temperatures to reach the low 90s (˚F) on Friday, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels for coastal Connecticut into Hartford County. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for coastal Connecticut on June 2nd.

• 6/2/2023 24th Annual Greenways Awards Celebrate Connecticut’s Trails

• 6/1/2023 DEEP Unveils Sign Honoring Legacy of Venture Smith at Venture’s Farm Site in Barn Island Wildlife Management Area

  (HARTFORD)--The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently unveiled a newly installed sign to commemorate Venture Smith, a man enslaved in West Africa around the age of 10 and brought to New England, where he worked for 26 years before buying his own freedom and that of his two sons, his wife, his daughter, and several other Africans.

• 5/30/2023 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of PM2.5 from Smoke Today

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Nova Scotia to elevate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels for several hours today. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for a period of four hours, beginning after 2:00 p.m. today.

• 5/26/2023 Share the Shore with Nesting Birds

• 5/26/2023 Governor Lamont Announces Summer Season Kicks off at Connecticut State Parks This Memorial Day Weekend

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes today kicked off the beginning of the busy Connecticut State Parks summer season during a visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.