Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

News Releases - 2026

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  • 10/21/2026 Connecticut Celebrates International Bat Week October 24 - 31

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is celebrating the importance of bats during Bat Week, an international event held annually during the week before Halloween. Bats face serious threats, including catastrophic population declines across North America driven largely by white-nose syndrome. These often-misunderstood animals play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and provide tremendous benefits to people, including natural pest control. Bat Week is an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting bats and the simple actions everyone can take to help protect these important species.

  • 10/20/2026 DEEP Seeking Proposals for Grants for Aquatic Invasive Species Control on Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers

    (HARTFORD) –The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant Program for the 2026-2027 grant cycle. Applications will be accepted through December 10, 2026. Please visit the DEEP AIS Grant Program website for details on how to apply for grants.

  • 10/15/2026 Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino Statements on Eversource Appeal of PURA’s Storm Cost Recovery Decision

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino released the following statements in response to an appeal filed today by Eversource with the Connecticut Superior Court seeking hundreds of millions of dollars from ratepayers that was denied by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) in a decision related to storm recovery costs, including more than $7 million of vendor costs deemed imprudent:

  • 10/14/2026 DEEP Announces Increased Incentive Levels For CHEAPR Program Effective October 15th

    (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 October 15, 2026. 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.

  • 10/14/2026 Governor Lamont, Attorney General Tong, and Acting Commissioner Cimino Statements on the Trump Administration’s Latest Attempt To Block Connecticut From Developing New Energy Sources

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino released the following statements in response to the Trump administration’s latest attempt to block Connecticut from developing new energy sources through the creation of the Revolution Wind project:

  • 10/6/2026 DEEP and CT State Library Celebrate Digital Inclusion Week, Announce Laptops Becoming Available for Loan Through Laptop ConneCT Program

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) joined the Connecticut State Library today in celebrating Digital Inclusion Week, an annual nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital access and the importance of inclusion in our increasingly digital world. At the event, DEEP and the CT State Library highlighted the State’s efforts to close the digital divide, including the recently announced Laptop ConneCT program, through which laptops will be available for short- or long-term loans to qualifying individuals at participating public libraries around the state. Laptops are already available at some participating libraries, with availability expected at most locations by the end of October and at all participating locations by the end of the year.

  • 10/5/2026 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP and CT State Library Celebrate Digital Inclusion Week, Announce Laptops Now Available for Loan Through Laptop ConneCT Program

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the CT State Library will hold an event to celebrate Digital Inclusion Week, an annual nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital access and the importance of inclusion in our increasingly digital world. At the event, DEEP and CT State Library will highlight some of the State’s efforts to close the digital divide, including the recently announced Laptop ConneCT program, through which laptops are now available for long-term loans to qualifying individuals at more than 100 public libraries around the state.

  • 10/2/2026 DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Turkey, Pheasant, and Small Game Hunting Seasons

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the Opening Days of the following fall hunting seasons:

  • 10/1/2026 Governor Lamont Announces State Grants for 50 Projects To Plan, Build, Expand, Restore, and Improve Recreational Trails Across Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the award of approximately $10.5 million in grants supporting 50 projects that will plan, build, expand, restore, and improve multi-use trails across Connecticut. Investments will enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, strengthen connections between communities, improve public health, and support Connecticut’s growing outdoor recreation economy.

  • 10/1/2026 MEDIA ADVISORY: Connecticut Greenways Council Presents the 8th Annual CT Trails Symposium

    (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the legislatively appointed Connecticut Greenways Council are hosting the 8th annual Connecticut Trails Symposium at Southern Connecticut State University on Friday October 2, 2026, from 8:00 am to 3:30pm. The Symposium brings together local, state, and regional officials, property owners, trail managers and volunteers, and showcases how communities can gather, plan, recreate, and support Connecticut’s statewide trails systems.

  • 9/30/2026 Connecticut Celebrates Food Waste Prevention Week September 28-October 4

    (HARTFORD)—Connecticut generates about 3.3 tons of municipal solid waste annually, which includes roughly 150,000 tons of excess edible food. At the same time, Connecticut has the highest rate of food insecurity in New England at 15.3%, impacting over 560,000 residents.

  • 9/30/2026 DEEP Announces Start of Cold-Water Boating Season

    (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the official start of the state’s cold-water boating season. Beginning October 1 and continuing through May 31, all paddlers operating kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and rowboats – and their passengers – are required by state law to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on the water.

  • 9/28/2026 Governor Lamont and Acting Commissioner Cimino Statements on Trump Administration’s Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino released the following statements in response to the Trump administration’s final rule that was released today rolling back federal fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles (passenger vehicles and pick-up trucks):

  • 9/24/2026 Connecticut and New England State Partners Announce Over 100 MW of Clean Energy Selections

    (HARTFORD)- Today, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), together with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Rhode Island Energy, announced the collective selection of new clean energy projects totaling 102.4 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation through a collaborative, multistate, competitive solicitation. Connecticut is procuring 63.4 MW across three projects, with the remainder procured by Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

  • 9/23/2026 DEEP and Town of Waterford Announce Completion of Niantic River State Boat Launch Overflow Parking

    (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), in partnership with the Town of Waterford, announced on Wednesday the completion of significant improvements to the Niantic River State Boat Launch overflow parking area located at 371 and 365 Mago Point Way, Waterford. The upgraded lot expands and improves public access to the Niantic River and Long Island Sound while supporting revitalization efforts within the Mago Point business district.