News Releases - 2020

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• 4/23/2020 State One Step Closer to Establishing National Research Reserve

  More great news to share this Earth Week as the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced its approval of a network of state-owned properties and coastal waters in Lyme, Old Lyme, and Groton to be the site of the state’s first National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR).

• 12/22/2020 Statement on Transportation Climate Initiative Program Benefits and Consumer Price Protections

  HARTFORD, CT) – Katie Dykes, Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, today released the following statement regarding estimates of the regional environmental, health, and economic benefits and costs of the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P), a historic program to reduce carbon pollution by 26% from transportation sources and invest $1 billion in Connecticut by 2032.​

• 4/22/2020 DEEP Launches Electric Vehicle Roadmap

  Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued its Electric Vehicle Roadmap for Connecticut (EV Roadmap), a comprehensive strategy for achieving widespread deployment of electric vehicles in the state, and a key tool in the state’s effort to improve air quality for residents while also addressing the climate crisis.

• 10/20/2020 DEEP Staff Pioneer Innovative Method to Monitor Stream Connectivity

  Staff successfully deploy trail cameras to monitor stream levels, proving cost-effective method that will help inform stream management efforts.

• 4/17/2020 DEEP Launches Online Celebration of EarthDayEveryDay

  In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, DEEP is launching a digital campaign, #EarthDayEveryDay, where residents can find unique ways to celebrate and help preserve our planet while staying safe at home or in the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 6/8/2020 DEEP Press Release

• 5/21/2020 DEEP-Selected Power Purchase Agreement for 804 MW Offshore Wind Project Filed with PURA

  Today, the state’s two regulated electric utilities, Eversource Energy and United Illuminating, filed with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) executed power purchase agreements for the 804 MW Park City Wind Project developed by Vineyard Wind. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) selected the Park City Wind project in December 2019 to advance to contract negotiations with the two utilities. The filing of these contracts marks another forward step for this offshore wind project. If approved by PURA, the Park City Wind project will provide the equivalent of 14% of the state’s electricity supply when it comes online in 2025, and represents the largest purchase of renewable energy in Connecticut’s history.

• 11/20/2020 Facing A Crisis, It’s Time for Connecticut to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…and Rethink

  You may be familiar with the three “R’s” of waste management – reduce, reuse, and recycle. This year, during America Recycles Week and beyond, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is encouraging residents, businesses, and community leaders to add a fourth “R” to the equation: Rethink.

• 11/23/2020 DEEP Announces Special Bonus Fishery of Lake Trout

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce a surprise “bonus fishery,” recently stocking close to 500 Lake Trout in select waters around the state!

• 2/24/2020 DEEP Invites Residents to Help Study Bobcats

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is asking individuals to keep an eye out for special bobcat tracking collars while spending time outdoors this month.

• 4/27/2020 2020 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Opens April 29

  Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding hunters and other outdoor users that the 2020 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season runs from April 29 through May 30.

• 7/17/2020 DEEP Opening Eight Inland Swim Areas and Seaside State Park

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will open inland swimming areas at eight state parks and will also re-open Seaside State Park and the marsh boardwalk at Silver Sands State Park tomorrow.

• 2/24/2020 EnCon Police Respond to Ice-Related Incidents at Two State Parks on Feb. 23

  EnCon Police responded to two ice-related incidents at Connecticut State Parks on Sunday, February 23. DEEP reminds the public that ice is never 100 percent safe and to use caution.

• 3/27/2020 Connecticut Single Use Plastic Bag Fee Temporarily Suspended

  In light of recent concerns raised by retail employees over potential exposure to the novel coronavirus by handling reusable shopping bags, Gov. Ned Lamont is temporarily suspending the state’s ten-cent fee on plastic bags, and allowing retail employees the opportunity to decline to bag for customers who bring in reusable bags.

• 5/1/2020 More Daily Park Closures Expected This Weekend Ahead of Warm Weather

  With nice weather forecast for this weekend, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) anticipates several state parks will reach capacity and be closed for the day, as has been the case on nice weather days over the last several weeks, particularly on weekends. It’s important to note that such closures are temporary, and parks closed in this fashion can be expected to re-open the following day.