CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

DEEP was proud to have staff participating in today’s Connecticut Land Conservation Council 2025 Conference—our state’s largest gathering of land conservation advocates and professionals. From sharing insights on urban forest networks and community woodland stewardship to contributing to conversations about representation in the outdoors, our team joined nearly 600 attendees committed to protecting Connecticut’s open spaces. Thank you to our staff—and to all who work every day to conserve the lands that make Connecticut special.

This week, Attorney General William Tong announced a $350,000 settlement (in penalties in addition to responsibility for the cleanup) with Soundview Transportation for the largest gasoline spill in Connecticut history. This enforcement ensures those responsible for environmental disasters don’t walk away—they pay for the cleanup. 🚨 What Happened? Early one fall morning, in November of 2022, an 8,200-gallon gasoline spill in a Norfolk residential community contaminated soil, storm drains, and waterways, triggering evacuations and creating serious health and safety risks. Without swift intervention, the long-term impact on groundwater and the local economy could have been devastating. ⭐DEEP’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and Site Assessment & Technical Services Unit (SATSU) were on the scene immediately in addition to over 20 other departments and organizations, assessing the situation, and leading cleanup efforts, ensuring both safety and that the responsible parties were held accountable. Without DEEP’s rapid response, the damage could have spiraled into a lasting crisis. 🔹 Why This Matters: ✅ Holds responsible parties accountable for pollution they cause ✅ Protects drinking water and public health ✅ Reduces financial burdens on residents and businesses ✅ Safeguards ecosystems and Connecticut’s economy When disaster strikes, DEEP is there—protecting our environment, safeguarding public health, and ensuring Connecticut remains a safe, thriving place to live and do business.

DEEP is reminding residents that the typical spring brush fire season in Connecticut runs from mid-March through mid-May, and there are important precautions residents should take to minimize the likelihood of a fire. “As we saw from our historic brush fire season last fall, brush fires are a serious hazard, particularly in a densely populated state like Connecticut,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Scharf Dykes said. “With increasingly extreme weather conditions, it’s all the more important for residents to be vigilant and careful when burning anything outdoors. It’s important to remember that local open burning permits are automatically suspended on days when the fire danger level is high, very high, or extreme. Please be sure to properly dispose of wood ashes, make sure all campfires are completely extinguished and wet and cool to the touch before leaving the area, and take proper care when extinguishing and disposing of smoking materials such as cigarette butts.” Brush fires are a serious hazard and can threaten lives and infrastructure. In 2024, Connecticut had a total of 605 wildfires, with 510 acres impacted. Tragically, a firefighter died while responding to a brush fire in fall 2024, and eight other firefighters were injured in 2024 while responding to brush fires. One residential building and seven other structures were lost to wildfire. Overall in 2024, 170 structures and residences were at risk for damage from wildfires.

Today at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford, Governor Ned Lamont joined Senator Richard Blumenthal, Commissioner Katie Scharf Dykes (DEEP), Ruth Canovi (American Lung Association in CT), Charles Rothenberger (Save the Sound), and Lori Brown (CT League of Conservation Voters) to highlight the risks posed by the EPA’s proposed regulatory rollbacks.   For decades, bipartisan leadership has built a foundation of strong environmental protections for public health, economic stability, and the well-being of every American. These protections have reduced toxic emissions, improved air and water quality, saved lives and positively impacted health outcomes.   Now, those collaborative achievements and safeguards are under review. The EPA’s proposed rollbacks would weaken the very guardrails that prevent polluters from jeopardizing our health and disproportionately harming states like #Connecticut, where pollution from across the country ultimately settles.   🔹 This is about economic stability, public health, and safety. 🔹 We know the cost of inaction: higher healthcare bills, more respiratory illnesses, and economic burdens on families and businesses. 🔹 Connecticut cannot address upwind pollution alone. We need strong federal protections to ensure all states do their part.   Decades of bipartisan progress have proven that clean air and a strong economy go hand in hand. We cannot afford to go backward.

DEEP is making great progress bringing affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to Connecticut residents and businesses. Get updates on this important work. Join one of our upcoming tailored virtual roundtable discussions. These events are happening on March 17, 19, and 20 at 2:00pm. Register today! Internet Service Providers (March 17 at 2:00 pm):  https://lnkd.in/gtp-UM7K  State, Tribal, and Municipal Governments (March 19 at 2:00 pm):  https://lnkd.in/gDzcAzaB  Community Organizations (March 20 at 2:00 pm): https://lnkd.in/gDzcAzaB 

Did you know? In 2023, residential customers who received energy audits through Connecticut’s Conservation and Load Management (C&LM) programs saved an average of $3,000 over the lifetime of installed efficiency measures! That’s real money back in your pocket—just by making simple upgrades that reduce waste and lower bills. 🔥 DEEP is working to expand these programs in 2025-2027, ensuring even more Connecticut families can benefit. #CTEnergyAffordability

DEEP is holding an event to promote a number of exciting seasonal positions offered within the agency. On March 16, DEEP will host a recruitment job fair at DEEP’s Western District Headquarters in Black Rock State Park, Watertown. DEEP’s seasonal jobs are great way to work outside this summer, with hourly rates ranging from $16.35 to $20 per hour. Seasonal positions are also an excellent first step for students or young professionals to kickstart a career in the environmental field. https://lnkd.in/emR5ar5H

💪Small businesses power our communities—and Connecticut’s Small Business Energy Advantage Program is helping them cut energy waste and lower costs. Participating small businesses save an average of $38,000 over the lifetime of installed efficiency measures! That’s real money that stays in local businesses instead of being wasted on inefficient energy use. 💡 📢 Find out how your business can save: https://lnkd.in/gaEMj7eb #CTEnergyAffordability

❗ Last Call ❗ CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, has an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Protection Forester 2, Partnership Coordinator, with the Forestry Division's Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program. The Partnership Coordinator will oversee and coordinate technical assistance and outreach on behalf of the UCF Program and will support other aspects of the UCF Program as needed. Specifically, the Partnership Coordinator will help build capacity in Connecticut’s 169 municipalities to grow and maintain healthy, resilient, and equitably distributed urban and community forests. Apply today! https://lnkd.in/ewPWtikz #forestryjobs #ctjobs

Commissioner Katie Dykes joined WTIC’s Face Connecticut to discuss the state's all-of-the-above approach - including energy efficiency, existing generation, and renewable growth - tackling rising demand, and addressing natural gas constraints and transmission costs to keep energy affordable and reliable. ⚡ What was discussed? 🔹 Balancing energy expansion with affordability 🔹 Challenges with natural gas supply & grid reliability 🔹 The role of energy efficiency in reducing demand and increasing affordability 🔹 Solar incentives & the future of battery storage 🔹 Upgrading infrastructure while keeping costs in check 📢 Connecticut’s Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) is part of shaping the path forward, and public input is open for 30 days. WTIC Public Affairs - Face Connecticut: https://lnkd.in/e6X9f338