News Releases - 2025

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• 9/1/2025 Joint Labor Day Statement on Offshore Wind From Governor Ned Lamont, Governor Maura Healey, Governor Kathy Hochul, Governor Dan McKee, and Governor Phil Murphy

  Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island, and Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey today released the following joint Labor Day statement on offshore wind

• 9/2/2025 DEEP Issues New “Evergreen” Request for Information (RFI) Seeking Ideas to Elevate Outdoor Recreation and Visitor Experiences in CT State Parks

  (HARTFORD) — As part of its Partnership in Parks Initiative, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced another opportunity for collaboration with the private sector through the launch of a Request for Information (RFI). Led by DEEP’s Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences, the Partnership in Parks Initiative aims to elevate outdoor recreation and visitor experiences, expand access to the outdoors, and strengthen Connecticut’s State Parks as tourism destinations.

• 8/29/2025 Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons Starting Soon

  (HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the dates for 2025-2026 migratory bird hunting seasons, which include seasons for ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, rails, and crows.

• 8/28/2025 DEEP Urges Residents and Visitors to Follow Water Safety Guidelines as Lifeguard Coverage Winds Down at State Parks

  (HARTFORD, CT) – As the summer season nears its end, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents and visitors to exercise caution in and around the water, especially as lifeguard coverage at State Park swimming areas will be reduced over the Labor Day weekend.

• 8/27/2025 DEEP Reminds Boaters to Purchase AIS Stamp Ahead of Targeted Enforcement this Labor Day Weekend

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds boaters to purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Stamp ahead of enhanced enforcement efforts over Labor Day Weekend. Anyone who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft on Connecticut’s inland waters, including the designated inland waters of the Connecticut, Housatonic and Thames Rivers, is required to purchase an AIS Stamp. The AIS Stamp can be purchased through DEEP’s online Sportsmen Licensing System or wherever fishing licenses are sold. DEEP urges inland boaters who have not yet purchased their 2025 AIS Stamp, to do so before heading on the water this weekend. An AIS Stamp annual purchase is required for both Connecticut residents and out-of-state visitors operating a registered vessel on Connecticut’s inland waters.

• 8/15/2025 DEEP Announces Re-Issuance of Alcohol Ban for Nine Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has imposed a temporary alcohol ban for nine state recreation areas. This ban is in effect from Tuesday, August 19 through Sunday, November 16

• 8/12/2025 DEEP Delivers Major Q1 Operational Gains through 20BY26 Initiative

  (Hartford, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced significant progress in 2025 under its 20BY26 Initiative – an ambitious effort to deliver 20 measurable improvements across DEEP’s permitting, cleanup, funding, public engagement, and environmental review processes by the end of 2026. Launched as a continuation of DEEP’s successful 20BY20 effort, the 20BY26 Initiative is improving how the agency achieves its mission and serves the public. The results point to a faster, more efficient, more predictable, and more responsive DEEP, helping Connecticut residents, businesses, and communities cut costs and reduce delays while advancing environmental protection.

• 8/11/2025 Now Is A Great Time to Take Advantage of Cost-Saving Clean Energy Tax Credits and Incentives

  (HARTFORD)—Thinking about buying an electric vehicle? Want to save money on cooling and heating costs by installing solar panels or a heat pump? The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding residents that there are tens of thousands of dollars in federal and state incentives available to help you save on the purchase cost of these items, and to help you start realizing the savings that can be had from driving an EV or installing an efficient heat pump in your home or business.

• 8/8/2025 Governor Lamont: Trump Administration’s Termination of Solar for All Program Will Prevent Thousands of Connecticut Households From Accessing Clean, Affordable Solar Energy

• 8/6/2025 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP Fish with CARE and No Child Left Inside® Offer a FREE Saltwater Fishing Day on Saturday, August 9

  ParkConneCT Program to Provide Free Bus Transportation from Norwich for a Limited Number of Pre-Registered Guests

• 8/1/2025 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP Celebrates Dinosaur Day-A Journey Back in Time on Saturday, August 2

• 7/31/2025 2025 GreenerGov Awards Honor State Government Leadership in Sustainability Efforts

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) hosted the annual GreenerGov Awards Ceremony on Thursday, July 31 at the State Capitol. The event celebrates the exceptional efforts of State Agency staff and agency Senior Sustainability Officers (SSOs) in reducing state government environmental impact and advancing Connecticut’s climate and sustainability goals.

• 7/29/2025 Governor Lamont, Attorney General Tong, Commissioner Dykes, and Commissioner Juthani Respond to the EPA’s Proposed Repeal of the Landmark Endangerment Finding

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, and Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, released the following statements in response to today’s announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it is rescinding the “endangerment finding” – an Obama-era determination that allows the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

• 7/25/2025 Reserve Your Seat With New DEEP & CTDOT ParkConneCT Excursions Program

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) are pleased to announce a new focus for the collaborative ParkConneCT program. This program will now offer free bus transportation for special excursion trips to four designated events, including three popular No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) events during this summer season. These hands-on, guided excursions will use motorcoach buses that are ADA accessible and air-conditioned to provide convenient and comfortable transportation to pre-scheduled park activities and events. The new special excursion format replaces the special summer bus service to select parks offered in past years.

• 7/24/2025 DEEP Announces New Incentive Levels For CHEAPR Program Effective August 1st

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that the standard incentive level for the popular Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) program will be changing effective August 1, 2025. The CHEAPR program offers incentives to Connecticut residents who purchase or lease an eligible new or used battery electric (BEV) or, plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicle from a licensed Connecticut automobile dealership or original equipment manufacturer.