News Releases

Page 8 of 61

• 2/21/2024 DEEP Reminds Residents of Best Wood-Burning Practices

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding residents how to safely limit exposure to smoke when burning wood to heat homes. Residents should 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 hazardous air pollutant.

• 2/5/2024 DEEP Launches 2024 Seasonal Staff Recruitment

• 1/26/2024 DEEP to Host 18th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) celebrates the outdoors all year long. The No Child Left Inside® 18th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington is planned for Saturday, February 3. Children and their caregivers are invited to join DEEP for multiple fun, outdoor winter activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 1/16/2024 DEEP Requests Grant Proposals 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 State’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant Program. The program makes $500,000 available to reduce impacts of aquatic invasive species on inland waters in Connecticut. Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2024.

• 1/12/2024 Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Awarded $14.6 Million Federal Grant To Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Seven Communities

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection with a $14.6 million grant through its Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program to expand Connecticut’s network of electric vehicle charging stations. The program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

• 1/11/2024 Governor Lamont Announces New Initiative To Promote Outdoor Recreation Economy

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the establishment of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences, which seeks to grow Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy by creating partnerships with the private sector. Coinciding with establishing this new office, DEEP is launching a request for information (RFI) as an initial step to expand services and amenities in state parks through partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and other private sector entities.

• 1/4/2024 DEEP to Allocate $2 Million to Address Tree Canopy Access in Connecticut

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the Urban Forest Equity Grant Program. The new $2 million program is designed to address the lack of tree canopy in disadvantaged communities. The funding comes from the federal Inflation Reduction Act and is administered by the U.S. Forest Service.

• 12/28/2023 Connecticut Celebrates the New Year with First Day Hikes on Jan. 1

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and its partners are encouraging folks to get outside on New Year’s Day. Walk, hike, and enjoy nature safely on January 1st by joining our many volunteer state park friends groups as Connecticut celebrates First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative to get outdoors.

• 12/22/2023 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Art Competition Welcomes Entries through March 15, 2024

  (HARTFORD) — Entries are now being accepted for the 2024 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Art Competition. This annual competition, which seeks creative young artists and art educators in Connecticut, is coordinated and sponsored by the Connecticut Waterfowl Association in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The competition is part of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) environmental education program known as the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program.

• 12/11/2023 DEEP Requests Proposals for Recreational Trails Grants

  (HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for the State’s Recreational Trails Program Grants. This request for applications is the largest funding round in the history of the Recreational Trails Grant program since it was established in 1997. It will make $10 million available to improve Connecticut’s trail infrastructure, which has seen significant usage increases since the onset of the pandemic. Applications will be accepted through March 11, 2024.

• 12/8/2023 DEEP Releases 2024-2029 Draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that it is releasing a draft of its 2024-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which lays out a 5-year strategy to continue to build on Connecticut’s outdoor recreation landscape. The draft plan is available for public review and comment through December 15, 2023.

• 12/4/2023 DEEP Announces Free Swimming Lesson Program in Partnership with Connecticut Institute For Communities of Danbury

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble joined local and state elected officials and the Connecticut Institute For Communities (CIFC) leaders at the Danbury Community Center (DCC) today to announce $128,000 to fund free swimming lessons to qualifying children. The partnership with the CIFC will enable children ages 17 and under to receive free swim lessons at the DCC pool.

• 12/1/2023 EnCon Police Make Arrest in Fatal Boating Accident

  (HARTFORD) — The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police arrested an individual in connection with the fatal boating accident that occurred on July 10, 2022, on the Connecticut River in Portland. An extensive investigation was conducted by EnCon officers and the department’s Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit (BARU) leading to the arrest.

• 11/22/2023 Celebrate the Winter Holidays at Two Connecticut State Park Museums - Visit Gillette Castle and Osborne Homestead Museum for Holiday Flair

  (HARTFORD) — The winter holiday season is upon us, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is celebrating with the festive transformation of two of its historic buildings: Gillette Castle in East Haddam and Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby. Enjoy the wonderous atmosphere created by special decorations that help set the tone for holiday cheer.

• 11/20/2023 DEEP Announces Opportunities to Reduce Air Pollution Through Clean Vehicles and Energy Storage Technology