News Releases - 2024

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• 8/15/2024 DEEP Reissues Alcohol Ban for Seven State Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has reissued a temporary alcohol ban for seven state recreation areas. This ban is in effect from Tuesday, August 13, 2024, through Sunday, November 10, 2024, at the following locations:

• 10/11/2024 Governor Lamont Announces $28 Million To Increase Broadband Access in 88 Towns and Cities

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes today announced the release of $28 million in grants awarded under the first round of the state’s ConneCTed Communities Grant Program.

• 7/9/2024 DEEP Announces FY 2024/25 Clean Water Fund Priority List to Enhance Water Quality and Infrastructure Resilience

  (HARTFORD) - Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes has announced the FY 2024/25 Clean Water Fund Priority list. With this announcement, the State of Connecticut is continuing its strong investment in construction-ready municipal water pollution control projects that will protect the state’s waters from sewage pollution and help improve water quality.

• 8/21/2024 DEEP Announces New Open Space and Urban Green Grant Round

  (HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) encourages municipalities, land trusts, and water companies to apply for funding to aid in the purchase and protection of open space through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA). In addition, DEEP welcomes municipalities and land trusts to apply for funding through the Urban Green and Community Garden Program (UGCG). Both programs are accepting applications now through December 2, 2024.

• 2/26/2024 CT Environmental Conservation Police Make Arrest In Alleged Sexual Assault Case

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced this morning that Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) officers have arrested an Old Saybrook man on charges of sexual assault following an investigation.

• 7/23/2024 Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew Deploys to Fight Oregon Wildfires

• 8/28/2024 DEEP Mosquito Management Program to Spray for Mosquitoes in Mt. Misery Area of Pachaug State Forest

  (HARTFORD)— While there have been no cases of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) in humans in Connecticut so far this season, the risk-level in the eastern part of the state for EEE remains elevated. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Mosquito Management Program will conduct insecticide spraying on the evening of Thursday, August 29 (weather permitting) in an area of eastern Connecticut where mammal-biting mosquitoes carrying EEE have been consistently detected. This step is being taken out of an abundance of caution to minimize the potential for spread of the virus to humans.

• 11/8/2024 Red Flag Conditions Pose High Fire Risk Across Connecticut This Veterans Day Weekend

  (Hartford, CT) - As Connecticut heads into the Veterans Day weekend, residents are urged to exercise extreme caution due to Red Flag Warning conditions forecasted today and extending through the weekend. The state faces critical fire weather with strong winds and extremely dry conditions, increasing the risk for wildfires. Until Connecticut receives a soaking rain of at least 2-3 inches, it will not be sufficient to lower the fire risk, and the public is urged to maintain a cautious approach to any activities involving fire or equipment that could spark a blaze.

• 5/14/2024 DEEP Environmental Conservation Police Celebrate Graduation of the 2024 Ranger Academy

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) celebrated the graduation ceremony for the 2024 Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police Ranger graduating class last week. Fifteen recruits successfully completed a 120-hour training academy to become EnCon Rangers. An additional 10 Rangers will return to the field from previous years.

• 11/15/2024 Celebrate the 2024 Winter Holidays at Two Connecticut State Park Museums

  (HARTFORD)--The winter holiday season is upon us, and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks & Public Outreach Division plans to celebrate with the festive transformation of two of its historic homes: Gillette Castle in East Haddam and Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby.

• 6/7/2024 DEEP Applauds More Than $300 Million in State Bond Commission Funding Approvals

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today received more than $300 million from the State Bond Commission that will fund several critical and complex environmental initiatives across the state, including State Park upgrades, municipal clean water projects, and an effort to drain high water levels at Portland’s Jobs Pond.

• 5/15/2024 DEEP Re-imposes Alcohol Ban for Seven Recreation Areas

  (HARTFORD) — The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has imposed a temporary alcohol ban for seven state recreation areas. This ban is in effect from Wednesday, May 15, through Monday, August 12, at the following locations:

• 5/15/2024 DEEP Pilots Parking Reservations System at Squantz Pond State Park as Part of Implementation of New State Law

  (HARTFORD) — Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce that it is piloting a new online reservation system to improve the visitor experience and park management on summer weekends and holidays at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield.

• 12/5/2024 DEEP Releases New Book Celebrating 100 Years of Connecticut State Parks

  (HARTFORD)--The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the release of a new book, Connecticut State Parks: A Centennial History by Alan Levere, published by DEEP’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division. This book presents the history of Connecticut State Parks through the celebration of its first hundred years.

• 3/27/2024 DEEP Receives Proposals Under Multistate Offshore Wind RFP

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has received proposals from four project developers under its multistate Request For Proposals (RFP) with Massachusetts and Rhode Island.