News Releases - 2020

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• 6/24/2020 DEEP Issues Third Quarterly Update on 20BY20 Initiative

  The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently released the third quarterly update for its 20BY20 initiative, a set of 20 goals that focus on improving the predictability, efficiency, and transparency of DEEP’s regulatory processes by the end of the year.

• 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.

• 7/17/2020 TODAY AT 1 PM - DEEP ANNOUNCES OPENING OF SOME INLAND SWIM AREAS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL AREAS

  (HARTFORD, CT) – Today at 1:00 p.m., Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes will hold a news briefing at Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury to announce the opening of some inland swim areas and other state recreational areas previously closed in response to COVID-19 heath concerns.

• 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.

• 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.

• 12/18/2020 Prepare for Winter with Free Energy Efficiency Assessment

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents to prepare for the cold months ahead by signing up for an energy efficiency assessment through Home Energy Solutions.

• 4/2/2020 DEEP Urges Residents to Think Before You Flush

  n line with federal Environmental Protection Agency guidance, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is urging all Connecticut residents not to flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items that should be disposed of in the trash.

• 3/17/2020 DEEP Requests PURA Issue Emergency Orders to Protect Utility Ratepayers During COVID-19 Pandemic

  HARTFORD, CT – On March 17, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) petitioned the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to investigate and address several issues to help protect Connecticut residents and businesses during the public health and civil preparedness emergencies related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Connecticut, and for a period of economic recovery afterward.

• 10/2/2020 DEEP Announces Opening Days of Fall Firearms Hunting Seasons

  Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the Opening Days of turkey and small game hunting seasons.

• 6/2/2020 DEEP Analysis of Air Quality During First Month of Pandemic Shows Significant Drop

  A preliminary analysis of air quality data gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Bureau of Air Management has found that monitored levels for many air pollutants dropped significantly from mid-March to mid-April 2020.

• 7/24/2020 DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for Western and Coastal Connecticut Over July 25th 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 Coastal Connecticut, on Sunday, July 26, 2020, and Monday July 27, 2020. The impacted area for both days includes all coastal towns extending from Greenwich to Stonington.

• 4/20/2020 DEEP Urges Safe Boating Social Distancing Practices at State Boat Launches During COVID 19 Pandemic

  With the boating season just around the corner, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces that the state boat launches are currently open. DEEP wants to share best practices to keep boaters safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 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.

• 12/17/2020 DEEP Responds to Heating Oil Release in Avon

  DEEP Emergency Response Unit personnel this evening responded to a heating oil release in Avon, the result of an accident involving an oil truck, at the location of Nod Road and East Main Street, at the base of Avon Mountain.

• 5/13/2020 DEEP Offering Online Training for Municipal Inland Wetlands Agencies

  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently launched a new, free, online training program for municipal inland wetlands agencies. The program, “The Municipal Inland Wetlands Agency Comprehensive Training Program,” was custom built to allow agencies and their staff to carry out the regulatory and training requirements of the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act (IWWA).