News Releases - 2024

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• 4/19/2024 DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Make Arrests in Alleged Railroad Tracks Theft Case

  (HARTFORD) — The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police arrested two individuals on April 9 in connection with the theft of railroad tracks from Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park in Old Saybrook. EnCon officers conducted an extensive investigation with assistance from the Valley Railroad Company.

• 4/17/2024 New England States Seek Federal Funding for Significant Investments in Transmission and Energy Storage Infrastructure

• 4/11/2024 DEEP Invites You to Celebrate Spring Fishing Day on Saturday April 13

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites all residents and their families to celebrate Spring Fishing Day this Saturday, April 13, by getting out and going fishing, or by helping DEEP stock selected trout parks around the state.

• 4/9/2024 DEEP and Audubon Society Urge Residents to Take Down Birdfeeders as Bear Activity Increases

  (HARTFORD) — As black bear activity in early spring increases following winter denning season, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents to do their part to protect both their communities and bears by not reinforcing behaviors that result in human-bear conflicts. Simple steps will reduce the likelihood of encounters, conflicts, and potential harm to people and bears.

• 4/5/2024 DEEP Begins Cold Water Safety Campaign

  (HARTFORD) — With warmer weather in the forecast, and boaters heading to the water on weekends in greater numbers, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) urges boaters to be prepared for the difference between the warm air and the cold water.

• 4/3/2024 Connecticut Celebrates Food Waste Prevention Week April 1-7

  (HARTFORD) — With Governor Ned Lamont declaring April 1-7, 2024, as Connecticut Food Waste Prevention Week, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that all this week, the agency will be highlighting the need to reduce food waste and recover more for human consumption as a social, environmental, and economic issue.

• 3/27/2024 Women's History Month Show Celebrates Abolitionist

  (HARTFORD) — Come honor Women’s History Month with a special living history performance of abolitionist Maria Weston Chapman at the Kellogg Environmental Center on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in Derby. Award-winning writer and historical interpreter Laura Rocklyn will perform “Setting the World by the Ears” about the nineteenth century activist.

• 3/27/2024 DEEP Receives Proposals Under Multistate Offshore Wind RFP

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has received proposals from four project developers under its multistate Request For Proposals (RFP) with Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

• 3/25/2024 CONNECTICUT FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK MARCH 25-29

  HARTFORD, CT – As flood season approaches, the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID), Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) are partnering to provide resources and preparedness information during "Flood Safety Awareness Week", taking place this year from March 25 to March 29.

• 3/25/2024 Governor Lamont and Commissioner Dykes on Biden Administration’s Announcement Regarding Expanded Offshore Wind Tax Credits

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes released the following statements regarding today’s announcement from the Biden administration on the expansion of tax incentives to support and stimulate more offshore wind projects:

• 3/22/2024 DEEP Announces 2024 Sky’s the Limit Hiking and Walking Challenge

  (HARTFORD) — Ready for an outdoor hiking adventure? Go on your own, grab a friend, or bring your leashed four-legged companion along for the 2024 Sky’s The Limit (STL) Hiking Challenge focused on Connecticut’s State Forests. The 2024 STL kick-off on March 22nd is a celebration of spring by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Take the challenge to get outside for some fresh air and physical exercise. Hike and walk the highlighted trails and take designated photos along the way for a fun outdoor experience. Fifteen State Forest locations will be identified for participants to explore, with varying scenery and highlights at each location. The adventurous and fun challenge runs through December 6, 2024.

• 3/21/2024 DEEP to Conduct Prescribed Burns at Five Locations this Spring

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) plans to conduct prescribed burns at five locations this spring, weather and conditions permitting. The areas include Matianuck Natural Area Preserve (NAP) in Windsor, Suffield Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Suffield, Machimoodus State Park in East Haddam, Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, and Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown.

• 3/19/2024 Final Days to Register for DEEP's 4th Connecticut Youth Climate Summit

  (HARTFORD) — The registration deadline for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s free online Connecticut Youth Climate Summit is only days away. The summit will take place on Tuesday, March 26th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event marks the fourth virtual summit collaboratively developed with DEEP staff and a committee of young climate leaders from across the state. Teachers and other high school level educators are asked to register their schools and students no later than March 20, 2024.

• 3/19/2024 Governor Lamont Announces Availability of 41 Million To Expand Broadband in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut is making nearly $41 million available to fund projects that expand broadband infrastructure and improve internet connectivity in the state.

• 3/1/2024 Governor Lamont Announces Progress on Release-Based Cleanup Program To Spur Remediation of Blighted Properties

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes, and Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Interim Commissioner Dan O’Keefe today announced progress on the development of release-based cleanup regulations that will streamline the remediation and redevelopment of blighted properties impacted by pollution from past industrial uses.