News Releases - 2026

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• 2/27/2026 Commissioner Dykes and Commissioner Juthani Statements on EPA’s Weakening of the Mercury Air Toxics Rule

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes and Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani released the following statements in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent announcement that it has rolled back air quality standards for coal-burning power plants that will result in greater emissions of heavy metals such as mercury, and other toxic pollutants. Mercury emissions pose a significant public health and environmental issue.

• 2/23/2026 DEEP Notifies Municipalities of Snow Removal and Disposal Guidance

  (HARTFORD)- Today, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes notified governmental entities that DEEP is providing additional flexibility for municipalities and other government entities to utilize in-water snow disposal options. Due to the extraordinary winter conditions being experienced across the state resulting from the ongoing blizzard, DEEP is offering this flexibility to governmental entities including towns and state agencies to ease snow disposal challenges that may pose a threat to public safety. This additional flexibility will allow towns to more easily clear road access for emergency vehicles, and will prevent negative impacts from blocked drainage infrastructure, like localized flooding.

• 2/19/2026 DEEP, Manresa Island Corp. Announce Stewardship Permit for Manresa Island

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes and Manresa Island Corp. (a subsidiary of Manresa Osprey LLC) announced today the recent issuance of a Stewardship Permit to facilitate the cleanup and redevelopment of the former fossil fuel power plant located at 1 Manresa Island Road, Norwalk. Called Manresa Wilds, the project has been driven by Manresa Island Corp., a non-profit founded by Norwalk residents Austin and Allison McChord in October of 2024 to transform this 125-acre property into a vibrant, publicly accessible community park on the Long Island Sound. The Stewardship Permit outlines the work necessary to clean up the property, including measures to catalyze the opening of the Northern Forest to the public in Spring 2027.

• 2/11/2026 DEEP Announces Recruitment Campaign to fill Seasonal Employment Opportunities Across the State

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting applications for hundreds of seasonal positions. Opportunities include working in outdoor recreation, conservation, forestry, scientific research and law enforcement. Positions are available across the state; in field offices, parks, boat launches, forests and indoor educational centers and museums.

• 2/4/2026 No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival Postponed

  (HARTFORD)— Due to the forecasted weather conditions this weekend, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is postponing the No Child Left Inside® 20th annual Winter Festival scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7th, at Burr Pond State Park. The event has been postponed and is rescheduled for Saturday February 21st at Burr Pond State Park at 384 Burr Mountain Road in Torrington.

• 2/2/2026 DEEP Issues Request for Proposals for Paddlecraft Rental Services in Seven CT State Parks

  (HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for canoe, kayak and/or stand-up paddleboard rental services at seven state parks including Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold, Indian Well State Park in Shelton, Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent, Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield, Pattaconk Lake/Reservoir Recreation Area in Cockaponset State Forest in Chester/Haddam and Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield.

• 2/2/2026 DEEP to Host 20th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival Postponed; Rescheduled for Feb. 21st

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Winter is a great time to celebrate the outdoors with your friends and family, enjoying the crisp, cold New England weather. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites the public to join the free No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) 20th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park at 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington on Saturday February 7, 2026, from 10 am to 3 pm.

• 1/30/2026 DEEP Announces 2026 Zero Carbon Request for Proposals

  (HARTFORD)-The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released a final Request for Proposals (RFP) today seeking proposals to provide zero carbon electric power from nuclear, hydropower, solar, onshore wind and associated transmission, and/or paired and co-located energy storage systems to diversify the state’s energy sources, improve electric reliability, and save ratepayers money. Through this RFP, DEEP will coordinate with other New England states that also are interested in potentially procuring these resources. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont, or their respective utilities, have expressed interest in participating under their states’ relevant authorities.

• 1/27/2026 DEEP to Hold Second Public Informational Workshop to Explore New Nuclear Capacity in Connecticut February 3rd

  (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will hold the second in a series of public informational workshops with nationally recognized experts on key issues involved in new nuclear development on Tuesday, February 3rd. This will be a virtual workshop.

• 1/8/2026 DEEP Reminds Residents To Use Best Practices When Wood Burning for Heat During Winter

  (HARTFORD)— Winter is here, and burning wood to keep a home warm is a long-standing tradition in New England. Depending on the source of the wood, wood burning can provide a cost-effective alternative to use of fossil fuels. But did you know that one old, inefficient wood stove can emit as much air pollution as five dirty, old diesel trucks? The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is urging residents to protect their health and that of their family, friends, and neighbors by employing “best burn” practices. Properly burning the correct type of wood limits exposure to wood smoke, which is a toxic air pollutant.