Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

News Releases - 2026

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  • 5/7/2026 Connecticut Joins National Coalition to Promote the State’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

    (HARTFORD) - Today the State of Connecticut joined the Confluence of States, a bipartisan, national coalition of state governments dedicated to growing the outdoor recreation economy and increasing access to the outdoors. The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences joins 21 other state offices in the Confluence of States dedicated to advancing five pillars of outdoor recreation: conservation and stewardship, education and workforce training, economic development, public health and wellness, and opportunity and experience.

  • 5/6/2026 DEEP Now Accepting All-Terrain Wheelchair Reservations for Seasonal Use Starting on June 6

    (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is making improvements to its all-terrain wheelchair program, which is available in seven Connecticut State Park and Forest locations. Improvements include enhanced access, new trails added, barrier removals, as well as a streamlined reservation process.

  • 5/6/2026 DEEP Announces Recipients of Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant for Green Stormwater Infrastructure and Habitat Restoration

    (HARTFORD) —The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the recipients of the newly created Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant Program. A total of over $7.8 million has been awarded to eighteen Connecticut municipalities and non-profits focused on improving water quality, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and improving fish passage.

  • 5/5/2026 DEEP Issues RFP for Food Beverage and Campground Concession Services at Lake Waramaug State Park

    The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified concessionaire to operate food, beverage, and campground store services at Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent and New Preston.

  • 5/4/2026 Body Recovered from Stillwater Pond in Torrington May 1

    (HARTFORD)— DEEP Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) responded Friday night around 7:30 p.m. to a Torrington Police Department report of a body recovered by the Torrington Fire Department from Stillwater Pond, Torrington. The body recovered was an adult male, identified as Stewart Rushlow, 65, of Torrington. DEEP EnCon Police are investigating. The State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death. There is no apparent criminal aspect at this time.

  • 5/4/2026 DEEP Responds to Boating-Related Fatality in Stamford Harbor May 3

    (HARTFORD)— DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police, along with Stamford Police and Fire, responded to a boating-related incident Sunday, May 3, around 3 p.m. in Stamford harbor. An adult male fell off his vessel while trying to tie off to his mooring in Stamford Harbor. The man was recovered from the water. Life-saving efforts were performed while he was being transported to a local area hospital, but the man was pronounced deceased. The man was identified as Frederick Bannerot, 67, of Norwalk, CT. The State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death. EnCon Police are investigating. There is no apparent criminal aspect at this time. DEEP shares its condolences with the family and friends of Mr. Bannerot.

  • 4/30/2026 DEEP To Hold Third Public Informational Workshop to Explore New Nuclear Energy Capacity in Connecticut May 13th

    (HARTFORD)- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will hold the third in a series of public informational workshops with nationally recognized experts on key issues involved in new nuclear development on Wednesday, May 13, from 3:00-5:30 PM.

  • 4/28/2026 DEEP Announces Line-up for CT Outdoor Recreation Day at State Capitol April 30th

    (HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences will host an inaugural Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Day featuring Connecticut-based outdoor industries, retailers, guides, and recreation groups on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the North Lobby of the State Capitol in Hartford.

  • 4/27/2026 2026 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 29

    (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds hunters and other outdoor users that the 2026 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season will be April 29 through May 30, both dates inclusive.

  • 4/24/2026 New Climate Progress Report Shows that State Programs are Helping to Reduce Emissions, Improve Environmental Quality, and Lower Costs

    (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released its latest report of the state’s progress under the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The Connecticut’s Climate Progress report, required every three years by the legislature, highlights how Connecticut is continuing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while delivering real benefits for residents and businesses—lower energy costs, cleaner air, and stronger, more resilient communities.

  • 4/22/2026 Governor Lamont Announces Lower Electricity Rates in Response To Benefits Received From Nuclear Contracts and Other State Energy Policies

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has approved an interim decision that will lower residential electricity rates throughout Connecticut starting May 1, 2026, including by 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour or about $30 per month for an average Eversource residential customer and 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour or about $34 per month for an average United Illuminating residential customer.

  • 4/21/2026 State Agencies Continue to Make Sustainability Gains and Operating Savings Through GreenerGovCT Initiative

    (HARTFORD) — GreenerGovCT, Governor Lamont’s government sustainability and cost-savings program, has helped reduce state agency greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 30% since 2019, GreenerGovCT Chairs shared at the annual Steering Committee Meeting Tuesday. GreenerGov CT provides guidance and assistance to agencies to be more sustainable in an effort to reduce waste and lower operating costs. Since 2012, state agencies have completed over 100 projects to reduce energy and water use in state facilities, which will save taxpayers over $20 million in lower operating costs over the next 20 years.

  • 4/20/2026 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP, DAS, OPM to Hold GreenerGov CT Steering Committee Meeting April 21st

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will host the annual meeting of the GreenerGov CT Steering Committee on April 21st, 2026 at 10 a.m. GreenerGov CT, at the direction of Governor Ned Lamont’s Executive Order No. 1 (2019), asks state agencies to lead by example by reducing waste and lowering operating costs.

  • 4/17/2026 MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP, Lt. Governor, Audubon CT Encourage People to be BearWise This Spring as Bears Become More Active

    (HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Audubon CTwill hold a press conference on Monday, April 20th to remind the importance of being “BearWise” and the important role residents play in keeping themselves, their communities, and bears safe now that the state’s black bear population is up and active in the warmer weather.

  • 4/17/2026 DEEP to Celebrate Arbor Day in Communities Across Connecticut

    (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites residents to celebrate the April 24th Arbor Day by joining tree-planting and community events taking place across the state over the next few weeks.