IMPORTANT: CT Climate Change Response Information

[Lee Cruz]

DEEP released the Final Determination for Phase I of the Equitable Energy Efficiency (E3) Proceeding. The Final Determination contains eight high-level Goals and several associated Actions designed to characterize and enhance equity in Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs. More information about the E3 Proceeding, including a summary of public comments and a Summer 2021 Progress Report, can be found on our E3 webpage. DEEP sincerely thanks everyone that participated in this process through the submission of written comments or attendance at public meetings.

The Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) Recommendations included several on sustainable materials management. Important steps were taken to address waste in Connecticut in the 2021 legislative session with the passage of the Public Act 21-58, An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management, known as the “Bottle Bill.” DEEP has begun seeking public input on the implementation of the Bottle Bill. It includes an increased handling fee for containers, expansion of the types of containers covered under the Bottle Bill, increased deposits on containers, and other requirements to streamline the redemption of containers. A virtual public meeting on the stakeholder engagement process  will be held on Monday, August 9, 2021, 2 - 4 pm. Register here. More information on Connecticut's Bottle Bill Modernization Stakeholder Process is available here. The RecycleCT Foundation has also recently launched the Recycle CT Wizard App showing residents which items are acceptable in the recycling bin.

The RecycleCT Foundation has recently launched the Recycle CT Wizard App. The app builds on the successful RecycleCT Wizard search tool. The app languages beyond English and Spanish such as French, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese. The app shows residents which items are acceptable in the recycling bin. the app also allows users to contact local recycling coordinators, or transfer stations, and to find out how to properly dispose of other materials.

A reminder to check out the FEMA webinar series starting July 28 in preparation for the FY21 $1 billion Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities (BRIC) grant program to be announced in August. We highly recommend attending these webinars if you are considering applying for these grants. The webinar topics are listed below.

Register here for "Responding to Extreme Heat in Connecticut," a Climate Solutions Webinar, on Monday, August 9, 2021, at 12 pm. More details on this webinar below.

Sincerely,
Dr. Rebecca French
Director of the Office of Climate Planning