Press Releases
06/30/2026
DEEP Issues Request for Information on Responsible Use of AI and Other Technology to Modernize Permitting Processes
Stakeholder feedback will help shape future improvement efforts that support applicants, agency staff, and public participation
(HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today issued a new Request for Information (RFI) on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology in permitting. This RFI reflects the agency’s continued commitment to improving the efficiency, transparency, predictability, and customer service in its regulatory and permitting programs while maintaining Connecticut’s strong environmental and public health protections. The RFI complements permit streamlining achievements in the 20BY26 Initiative, such as DEEP’s continuing work to digitize records, improve data management, and move more permitting processes online.
DEEP’s AI RFI is intended to gather input from technology vendors, permit applicants, regulated entities, environmental advocates, academic institutions, and members of the public on how AI-enabled tools and other modern technologies may support DEEP’s permitting programs. DEEP is particularly interested in tools that can improve application intake, help applicants understand potential permitting requirements earlier, support staff review by automating front-end administrative tasks, improve access to information, and enhance public participation.
“Improving the transparency, predictability, and efficiency of DEEP’s permitting processes and environmental reviews is something I’ve prioritized as Commissioner, because it leads to better outcomes for our environment and our economy,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “I’m proud of the process improvement successes we’ve achieved during my tenure through 20BY26 and other initiatives, and I’m delighted to see the momentum continue with the launch of DEEP’s AI RFI. Through this RFI, DEEP is taking steps to better equip our workforce and our applicants with modern tools that can reduce administrative burdens, improve the applicant experience, and allow staff to focus their time on the most important technical, environmental, and public health questions. Environmental permitting requires trained, experienced professionals, and there is no substitute for the scientists, engineers, analysts, and other staff who carry out this work every day. The goal of DEEP’s AI RFI is not to replace that expertise, but to better support our staff and increase their impact.”
DEEP oversees hundreds of different environmental permits and receives approximately 6,000 permit applications each year, over a third of which require technical review. Through its 20BY20 and 20BY26 process improvement initiatives, DEEP has established and published permit review timelines, expanded transparency through permitting dashboards, streamlined the permitting process, launched electronic payment options, and continued to broaden its Client Concierge Permit Assistance Service. This AI RFI builds on those efforts by asking stakeholders to identify practical opportunities where AI and other technology could improve how permit applications are submitted, reviewed, tracked, and understood by applicants and the public. Potential use cases identified in the RFI include:
- Interactive pre-application tools to help applicants better understand possible permitting requirements;
- Permit pre-eligibility tools to help applicants assess whether they have the right materials before submitting;
- Online permit application intake and administrative completeness screening;
- A more uniform permitting platform or interface across existing DEEP systems;
- Permit tracking tools that provide internal and external visibility into application status;
- Public engagement tools to help categorize and summarize large volumes of written comments;
- Digitization and cataloguing tools to improve access to paper records and documents;
- Chatbot or navigation tools to help users find permitting, grants, and compliance information more easily.
Any use of AI or AI-enabled tools by DEEP would be required to follow Connecticut’s Responsible AI Framework, applicable state information security policies, and all relevant legal and procurement requirements. The RFI emphasizes accuracy, privacy, transparency, fairness, data security, and human oversight as essential considerations for any future technology implementation.
“Connecticut has made significant progress in making permitting more predictable and transparent,” Commissioner Dykes said. “Responsible technology can help us build on that progress. We want to hear directly from those who use our permitting programs, those who advocate for environmental protection, and those developing tools that may help government serve the public more effectively.”
DEEP is seeking responses that address potential costs, implementation timelines, technical approaches, data and security considerations, responsible use practices, accessibility, risks, and examples of similar tools used in other states or regulatory settings.
Responses to the RFI are due by August 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time and should be submitted to DEEP.Concierge@ct.gov.
The RFI is not a competitive procurement and does not obligate DEEP or the State of Connecticut to pursue any specific project, vendor, or technology. Information received may help inform future solicitations, pilot projects, or other modernization efforts.
More information and the full RFI are available at this link: Notice of Request for Information on Potential Uses of AI and Other Technology to Modernize Permitting Processes.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110