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).

• 4/22/2020 DEEP Launches Celebration of Arbor Day Online and at Home

  Arbor Day is celebrated every year on the last Friday in April to highlight trees and all of the great things that trees do. This year, Arbor Day is Friday, April 24.

• 4/21/2020 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.

• 4/19/2020 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.

• 4/16/2020 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.

• 4/1/2020 DEEP Reminds State Park Visitors to Maintain Safe Distance from Beach Nesting Birds

  In addition to asking people to maintain proper social distancing in the outdoors, and to adhere to state park capacity limits and closures where encountered, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is reminding visitors to state parks to maintain a safe distance from the wildlife that call those parks home.

• 4/1/2020 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.

• 4/1/2020 DEEP Official to Help Steer National Clean Energy Collaborative

  Lauren Savidge, director of energy supply for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), has been named a member of the Advisory Committee of the 100% Clean Energy Collaborative, an initiative launched today by the Clean Energy States Alliance.

• 3/31/2020 State Parks to Reduce Visitor Capacity During COVID-19 Pandemic

  Connecticut is announcing stricter measures to support safe, solitary enjoyment of outdoor spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 3/26/2020 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.

• 1/1/0001 DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes Demonstrates Social Distancing Outdoors

  With state parks remaining open for solo activity or hikes with housemates during the COVID-19 crisis, state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes and other environmental officials visited Gay City State Park in Hebron Thursday to highlight the importance of social distancing in the outdoors.

• 3/16/2020 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.

• 3/16/2020 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.

• 3/16/2020 DEEP to Temporarily Halt Enforcement of Bottle Redemption Requirements

  HARTFORD, CT – Effective March 17, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) temporarily suspended enforcement actions against Connecticut retailers for failing to accept empty beverage containers for redemption under the law known as the “bottle bill.” During this time, if stores do not accept empty beverage containers, DEEP will not issue them a notice of violation.

• 3/12/2020 DEEP Announces COVID-19 Operational Adjustments