News Releases - 2020

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• 11/25/2020 Draft 2020 Connecticut Forest Action Plan Released

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Forestry Division has updated the Connecticut Forest Action Plan and released a draft for public review and comment.

• 11/23/2020 Statement from DEEP on CT's First Clean Energy Industry Report

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Vicki Hackett, Deputy Commissioner for Energy at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), today released the following statement regarding the findings of Connecticut’s first clean energy industry report released November 10 and presented during a public webinar on Wednesday, November 18.

• 5/6/2020 State Eyes Full Resumption of Bottle Redemption

  Following extensive discussion between the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and many stakeholders, retailers will resume bottling redemption activities on a limited basis beginning May 20, with a full resumption of operations by June 3.

• 3/17/2020 DEEP to Temporarily Close Offices to Public

  Following the Executive Orders issued by Governor Lamont and the guidelines set forth by the CDC to establish social distancing and limit non-essential contact, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will temporarily close its office locations, including its headquarters at 79 Elm Street, Hartford, effective March 17, 2020 to public visitors as a precautionary measure to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.

• 9/24/2020 DEEP to Re-Open Lattins Cove Boat Launch at Half Capacity

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that Lattins Cove state boat launch on Candlewood Lake will re-open tomorrow at 50% capacity.

• 9/4/2020 Connecticut Sends Second Group of Firefighters This Season to Fight California Wildfires

  Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Forest Protection Staff have prepared and deployed a second group of trained wildland firefighters to assist the U.S. Forest Service in fighting wildfires in California, following receipt of a request for national wildfire response.

• 12/31/2020 Connecticut Celebrates the New Year with First Day Hikes on January 1 - Virtual and Self-Guided Hikes at 10 Parks and Forests Across the State

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and its partners at the various State Parks and Forests Friends Groups are encouraging residents to get the New Year started off right by getting outside and safely partaking in a “First Day Hike,” at a state park or forest close to home.

• 6/8/2020 DEEP to Open State Park, Forest Campgrounds for Summer Season on July 8

  The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that camping will open for the summer recreation season beginning July 8.

• 11/17/2020 DEEP Announces Start of Firearms Deer Hunting Season

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that the 2020 Firearms Deer Hunting Season opens Wednesday, November 18.

• 9/29/2020 DEEP Responding to Oil Spill in Sympaug Brook in Danbury

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is overseeing the clean-up of an oil spill into the Sympaug Brook in Danbury, which flows into the Still River.

• 7/10/2020 DEEP and DOAG Seek Feedback on Draft Spend Plan for CARES Act Assistance to Fisheries Participants

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DOAG) are currently soliciting public feedback until July 19, 2020, on a draft spending plan that details proposed disbursement guidelines for $1.8 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for marine fishery participants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 7/3/2020 DEEP Issues Updated State Park Operations Plan Heading into July 4th

  As we approach July 4th weekend, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released an updated operational plan that outlines for DEEP staff and visitors current guidelines around the operation and use of Connecticut state park grounds, trails, beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and pavilions, boat launches and other areas as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 9/28/2020 DEEP Seeks Input to Help Make Energy Efficiency Programs More Equitable

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) having launched a request for written comments to make its energy efficiency programs more equitable and inclusive, seeks input and engagement from a wide range of stakeholders.

• 6/30/2020 DEEP Announces Operation Dry Water 2020

  As boaters begin to prepare for the July 4th holiday weekend, law enforcement officers across Connecticut will be on heightened alert looking for those violating boating under the influence laws.

• 7/18/2020 Elevated Levels of Ozone for Western and Coastal Connecticut Over the July 18th Weekend

  Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting several days of very warm weather, which will contribute to elevated ozone levels across parts of Connecticut. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for western Connecticut, on Sunday, July 19, 2020. The impacted area includes western Connecticut as far inland as Cornwall and along the coast from Greenwich to Madison.