News Releases

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• 6/28/2023 DEEP Announces Launch of Operation Dry Water

  (HARTFORD) — In an effort to educate recreational boaters nationwide about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol or drugs, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be participating in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to decrease the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water.

• 6/28/2023 DEEP Launches States First Electric Bike Voucher Program

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the launch of the State’s first electric bicycle (eBike) voucher program, helping to offer residents a different clean transportation option, with increased incentives for low- and moderate-income individuals and those who live in distressed or environmental justice (EJ) communities.

• 6/27/2023 Governor Lamont Announces Release of $6 Million in Volkswagen Settlement Funds To Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is releasing more than $6 million from the legal settlement in the Volkswagen Corporation (VW) emissions cheating scandal to fund 54 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) projects across Connecticut.

• 6/26/2023 Governor Lamont Commits $85 Million in State Funding To Address Flooding Mitigation in North Hartford

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is committing $85 million in state funding from the state’s Clean Water Fund and Clean Water Fund-related funding to implement a pilot program that will address sewage overflows in streets and basements in North Hartford, where residents have been chronically impacted by the long-term recurrence of sewer overflows.

• 6/26/2023 Governor Lamont and Commissioner Dykes Statements on President Biden’s Announcement of $144 Million To Improve Broadband Connectivity in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes released the following statements in response to the announcement made today by President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration that Connecticut is receiving $144 million in federal funding to support its ongoing efforts in deploying affordable, reliable high-speed internet service statewide:

• 6/16/2023 DEEP and White Memorial Conservation Center Launch Bat Cam

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division and White Memorial Conservation Center have worked together to establish a “Bat Cam” in a Litchfield barn. The barn, on the White Memorial property, is where female big brown bats give birth and raise their young every year.

• 6/14/2023 Governor Lamont Announces $8.8 Million in State Funding To Support 21 Climate Resilience Plans and Project Development Grants

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut is awarding $8.8 million in grants through the inaugural round of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF). These state awards will support 21 innovative climate resilience plans and projects across 17 Connecticut municipalities and councils of governments.

• 6/12/2023 DEEP Announces $1.46 Million to Support Clean Air Vehicle and Equipment Projects in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the awarding of more than $1.46 million to support the state’s efforts to reduce diesel air pollution. The eight projects announced today are part of the 2022 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) State Grant Program.

• 6/9/2023 Air Quality to Improve Friday as Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Moves to the South and West of Connecticut

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec that impacted Connecticut this week to continue to recede throughout the day on Friday, with air quality improving statewide.

• 6/9/2023 DEEP Celebrates Passage of Environmental Justice Bill by Connecticut General Assembly

  (HARTFORD)--The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) applauds the passage of Senate Bill 1147, An Act Concerning the Environmental Justice Program of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by the Connecticut General Assembly. This significant legislation, raised at DEEP’s request, builds upon Connecticut's longstanding commitment to environmental justice and marks another milestone in our state's efforts to protect vulnerable communities and ensure equitable access to a clean and healthy environment.

• 6/9/2023 DEEP’s Next No Child Left Inside® Families in the Parks Program is Saturday

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) presents its next 2023 No Child Left Inside® (NCLI) Families in the Parks Program at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington on Saturday. Registration for NCLI is now open at: www.NoChildLeftInside.org

• 6/8/2023 DEEP Re-imposes Alcohol Ban for Seven Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD, CT) – The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has re-imposed temporary alcohol bans for seven state recreation areas. These bans are in effect from Friday, June 9, through Wednesday, September 6, at the following locations:

• 6/8/2023 Air Quality to Remain at Unhealthy Levels through Thursday Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to continue to linger throughout the day on Thursday and result in elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy levels for the entire state as the smoke slowly disperses throughout the day.

• 6/7/2023 DEEP Forecasts Unhealthy Levels of PM2.5 Wednesday for the Entire State from Canadian Wildfire Smoke

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to elevate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels on Wednesday, June 7th. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy levels for the entire state.

• 6/5/2023 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of PM25 from Smoke Tonight and Tuesday

  (HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to elevate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels beginning after 9:00 pm on Monday, June 5th.. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for an extended period during the overnight period in Western Connecticut and covering the entire State by daybreak.