News Releases - 2026

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7/10/2026 DEEP Coordinates Deployment of Wildland Fire Crew to Support Oregon Wildfire Efforts
(HARTFORD) –Today, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Forestry Division coordinated the mobilization of a 20-person wildland firefighting crew to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in Oregon.
7/10/2026 DEEP EnCon Police Make BUI Arrest Following Fatal Lake Hayward Canoe Incident
(HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police announced today the arrest of Michael Collins, 20, of Mineola, NY, for boating under the influence following a fatal canoe incident on Lake Hayward in East Haddam that occurred on March 21, 2026.
7/8/2026 Governor Lamont Announces $40 Million in Federal Health Investments To Improve Outdoor Recreation at Air Line State Park Trail
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) today announced that Connecticut has secured $7,165,955 in first-year funding as part of a multiyear federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) population health initiative investment aimed at improving public health in rural communities.
7/7/2026 DEEP Reminds Residents About Water Quality Impacts, Water Safety Following Heavy Rainfall Events
(HARTFORD)--With the prolonged period of heavy rainfall occurring across the state, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents about impacts to water quality following such events, and safety precautions to take.
7/6/2026 DEEP To Hold Fourth Public Informational Workshop to Explore New Nuclear Energy Capacity in Connecticut July 22
(HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will hold the fourth in a series of public informational workshops with nationally recognized experts on key issues involved in new nuclear development on Wednesday, July 22, from 2:00-5:00 PM.
7/2/2026 DEEP Announces “Operation Dry Water” Campaign to Halt Boating Under the Influence
(HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) will again participate in the “Operation Dry Water” campaign, a national initiative aimed at curbing boating under the influence (BUI). Set to run from July 3 through July 5, this heightened enforcement and awareness campaign targets the dangerous combination of alcohol or drug use while operating a vessel.
7/1/2026 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone For Wednesday, July 1, 2026 through Saturday July 4, 2026
(HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) forecasts that air quality for Fairfield, New Haven, northern Middlesex, northern New London, Hartford, Tolland, and Windham counties will reach or exceed levels that are high Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on Wednesday, July 1st. In addition, Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties will reach or exceed levels that are high Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) from Thursday, July 2nd to Saturday, July 4th due to ozone levels in the outdoor air we breathe.
7/1/2026 New Study Highlights Benefits of Nature-Based Solutions in DEEP Funding Programs, Further Opportunities
(HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today released DEEP’s NBS Initiative Program Evaluation, required by Section 12 of Public Act 25-125. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are important tools available to DEEP and the many state, federal, tribal, municipal, private, non-profit, and other partners necessary to address climate, biodiversity, and resilience challenges at meaningful scales.
7/1/2026 DEEP Reminds Visitors to State Parks to Plan Ahead for a Safe and Enjoyable Fourth of July Weekend
(HARTFORD)—As Connecticut residents and visitors prepare to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday outdoors, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is encouraging everyone to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.
6/30/2026 DEEP Issues Request for Information on Responsible Use of AI and Other Technology to Modernize Permitting Processes
(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.
6/30/2026 Grant Round Open for Clean Vessel Act Grant Funding for Critical Pumpout Facilities, Which Removed Over One Million Gallons of Marine Sewage from Connecticut’s Waters in 2025
(HARTFORD) - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that during the 2025 boating season, pumpout facilities receiving federal Clean Vessel Act grant funding removed more than 1.4 million gallons of marine sewage from recreational vessels in Long Island Sound and Candlewood Lake.
6/29/2026 DEEP Implementing Improvements to the Natural Diversity Database Program Based on Recent Study
(HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced its intention to pursue a major mapping modernization initiative to improve the state's Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) program. The NDDB program maintains a database of occurrences of endangered, threatened, and special concern species listed under the Connecticut Endangered Species Act, and reviews proposed projects requiring DEEP permits for potential impacts to those species, playing a critical role in protecting rare and imperiled plants and animals on the Connecticut landscape.
6/26/2026 DEEP Highlights Major Progress Improving Efficiency and Speed of its Permitting Programs, Regulations, and Processes
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that it has made significant progress in improving the efficiency and speed of its permitting and regulatory programs, grant processing and payment systems, and more under DEEP’s 20BY26 initiative. As part of that initiative, two years ago DEEP set 20 performance goals to strengthen the transparency, efficiency, and predictability of DEEP’s permitting, environmental review, and other processes by the end of 2026.
6/26/2026 DEEP Announces New Long Island Sound Research Vessel
(HARTFORD)--The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) unveiled today its new Research Vessel named Sound Outlook. The vessel was named after its intended use, to provide the outlook on the health of our treasured Long Island Sound ecosystem.
6/25/2026 DEEP Announces Over $5 million in Climate Resilience Fund Grants to Protect Communities From Extreme Weather
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the recipients of the second round of grants from the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF), the agency’s “one-stop shop” for resilience funding. Through this round, DEEP is awarding $5.1 million to14 municipalities, regional entities and non-profits to support projects that will proactively protect homes, businesses, and critical community lifelines from worsening floods, extreme heat and wind, and other natural hazards.