Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

STEPs is Sustainable, Transparent and Efficient Practices for Solar Development  

To advance the Governor's Council on Climate Change (GC3) and Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) recommendations, DEEP created a stakeholder engagement process for Sustainable, Transparent and Efficient Practices (STEPs) for Solar Development to identify policies, legislative actions, and best practices, related to the procurement, siting, and permitting of ground-mounted solar systems in Connecticut.

STEPs has the following objectives:
  • Ensure that new solar generation projects can be sited and built in a predictable, efficient, and transparent manner;
  • Include consideration of local laws concerning zoning, the environment or public health and safety;·
  • Avoid, or minimize and mitigate, to the maximum extent practicable, adverse impacts on the environment, agricultural, and natural resources;·
  • Promote equity and environmental justice for these projects; and
  • Ensure that state and/or ratepayer-supported procurements align with these objectives.
Guidance for Siting Solar in Connecticut:  
Please provide feedback via email to DEEP.STEPS@ct.gov.

Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool (CREST) Collaborative Meetings:
STEPs/SCEF Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on Agrivoltaics:
  • On August 16, 2023, CT DEEP held a virtual public information meeting on the new Draft Guidance for Siting Solar on Agricultural Land and potential agrivoltaics bid preferences in the upcoming Shared Clean Energy Facility Program procurement. The meeting slides and meeting recording with unofficial transcript are available for review.
2023 Energy Procurement and Siting Workshop:

STEPs Scoping Meetings:

June 16, 2021 Scoping Meeting:

July 19, 2021 Scoping Meeting:


July 20, 2021 SCEF and STEPs Bid Preference Public Meeting:


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Content last updated October 2024.