News Releases - 2024

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• 5/21/2024 Share the Shore with Nesting Birds

  (HARTFORD) — As the summer beach season approaches, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds beachgoers and others recreating on the shoreline to share the shore with nesting birds.

• 7/29/2024 DEEP Launches the Draft 2024 Connecticut Clean Hydrogen Roadmap

  (HARTFORD)--The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) held a public meeting today to discuss the findings of the Draft 2024 Connecticut Clean Hydrogen Roadmap. Pursuant to Public Act No. 23-156, and consistent with Connecticut’s greenhouse gas reduction goals as well as DEEP’s Integrated Resource Planning and Comprehensive Energy Strategy that examine the state’s future energy needs and ways to meet those needs, the Draft Roadmap seeks to achieve the following objectives:

• 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.

• 7/2/2024 DEEP Adds Naugatuck State Forest to Existing Alcohol Ban for Recreation Areas

  (Hartford, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has imposed a temporary alcohol ban for Naugatuck State Forest in addition to seven state recreation areas previously imposed this summer. The ban is in effect from Tuesday, July 2, 2024, through Monday, September 30, 2024, for the following area:

• 9/9/2024 Bat Appreciation Day to Be Held at Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine on Sept. 15

  (HARTFORD)—Join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for a celebration of bat conservation at the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby on Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event helps raise awareness about the story of one of Connecticut’s most intriguing historical sites and its importance to the conservation of endangered species.

• 4/26/2024 DEEP Celebrates Arbor Day in Communities Across Connecticut

  (HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) joins communities across the state on April 26th and throughout the month of April to celebrate Arbor Day.

• 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:

• 8/8/2024 12th Annual Saltwater Fishing Day Happening August 10th

  (HARTFORD, CT)- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s No Child Left Inside ® program, in partnership with DEEP’s Fish with CARE program, is hosting the 12th annual Saltwater Fishing Day on August 10th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the fishing pier at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London.

• 8/2/2024 DEEP and DPH Advise Precautions to Avoid Mosquitoes

  (HARTFORD)—Due to recent Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) reports of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in mosquitoes in Canterbury and Voluntown, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) advise taking extra precautions to protect against mosquitoes when recreating outdoors.

• 12/27/2024 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 the many volunteers from the State Park Friends' groups as Connecticut celebrates First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative to get outdoors.

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

• 7/24/2024 4th Annual Pop of Color Outdoor Quilt Show Starts July 25th at Kellogg Estate in Osbornedale State Park

  (HARTFORD) - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced its fourth annual Pop of Color Outdoor Quilt Show returns to the Kellogg Estate, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, CT, from Thursday, July 25 – Sunday, July 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Visitors can enjoy viewing a diverse collection of quilts hung to decorate the historic gardens and grounds. Reservations are not needed.

• 10/29/2024 DEEP Launches Expanded Home Electric Efficiency and Affordability Procurement Draft Request for Proposals

  (HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the launch of an Expanded Home Electric Efficiency and Affordability draft request for proposals (RFP) to deliver expanded electricity bill savings to residential customers of Eversource and United Illuminating. This RFP process will build on Connecticut’s existing, highly successful utility-run energy efficiency programs, which deliver hundreds of dollars in energy bill savings each year to thousands of participating households. DEEP is soliciting competitive proposals from companies, including electric utilities and other private entities, for cost-saving household electric energy efficiency measures. Among the types of responses DEEP is soliciting are performance contracting approaches that reduce the upfront costs of installing energy efficiency and lower monthly energy bills, while also providing additional opportunities for Connecticut’s energy efficiency workforce.

• 10/23/2024 Governor Lamont Announces $30 Million Investment for Infrastructure Improvements at State Parks

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, chairman of the State Bond Commission, today announced that the commission voted at its meeting this morning to approve an allocation of $30 million that will be used for infrastructure repairs and refurbishment needed across the Connecticut State Parks system, including $3 million that will be used to make critical repairs at state parks impacted by the extreme flash flooding event Connecticut experienced on August 18, 2024.

• 10/9/2024 DEEP and CFPA Highlight Fall Hiking Opportunities, Offer Tips for Safe Fall Hiking

  (HARTFORD) — Ahead of the long holiday weekend, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) invite residents and visitors to enjoy this year’s vibrant Fall foliage from the many vantage points offered by DEEP’s State Forests, Parks, Greenways, and CFPA’s Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails.