Dear Community,

Thank you for tuning into our March newsletter! There is a lot going on in the environmental justice (EJ) world and we are hoping to bring you the latest events and updates — all in one place. Please submit newsletter feedback and idea topics to DEEP.EJ@ct.gov or the linked form below.  

For this newsletter edition, we are highlighting a DEEP publication on the history of contamination and cleanup in Hamden's Newhall Street Neighborhood. This summary was created in response to a request from CEEJAC and provides a historical timeline from identification of contamination to cleanup, key actors and their roles and responsibilities, and engagement between the State and local residents. This summary is not meant to be comprehensive. Read the full summary here: A Summary of the Newhall Street Neighborhood State Superfund Project.

Please contact DEEP.CEEJAC@ct.gov if there are additional questions.

Gratefully yours,

Office of Equity and Environmental Justice

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The Release-Based Cleanup Regulations (RBCRs) took effect in Connecticut on March 1, 2026. SEH conditions reported under Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 22a-6u, that have not been resolved as of the effective date of the new RCBRs, may now become subject to the requirements of the RBCRs. For more information, click here. 

DEEP released a final Request for Proposals to provide zero carbon electric power from nuclear, hydropower, solar, onshore wind and associated transmission, and/or paired and co-located energy storage systems to diversify the state’s energy sources, improve electric reliability, and save ratepayers money. DEEP will accept bids in response to this RFP through March 17, 2026. For more information, click here.

Environmental Protection Network offers free, pro bono technical assistance to low-capacity and frontline communities, NGOs, and under-resourced government agencies. EPN helps partners navigate programs, interpret environmental data, access funding, and build capacity on issues such as air quality, drinking water, brownfields, climate resilience, and more. EPN also partners with Lawyer for Good Government to provide legal support to federal grantees. For more information, click here.

New England Environmental Finance Center (NEEFC) partners with local and Tribal governments, utilities, and community-based organizations to provide free, hands-on technical assistance throughout the full project lifecycle—including community engagement, needs assessment, planning, project prioritization, identifying funding and financing options, and implementation support. For more information, click here. 

CEEJAC NEWS

Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) within DEEP, established by Governor Lamont’s 21-3 Executive Order, advises the Commissioner of DEEP on current and historic environmental injustice, pollution reduction, energy equity, climate change mitigation and resiliency, health disparities, and racial inequity. All are welcome to attend and participate in CEEJAC meetings.

Please Join CEEJAC at Our Upcoming Meeting: 

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (Virtual)
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Register for Meeting Link

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (In-Person)
Date & Time TBD
Waterbury, CT

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (In-Person)
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Location TBD

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (Virtual)
Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Register for Meeting Link

FEATURED EVENTS

SustainableCT’s Spring Virtual Equity Training Series | Begins March 11
Participants will work with scenario-based coaching and peer learning, using real challenges from their communities such as budgeting tradeoffs, policy revisions, resident engagement tension, and team dynamics. Attendance at all three sessions is required. For more information, click here.

Branching Out Together Conference 2026 | March 18 | New London 
Connecticut’s three leading organizations in arboriculture and urban forestry will be co-hosting a one-day conference at Connecticut College in New London on March 18th, 2026. For the agenda and more information, click here.

Sustainable and Resilient Communities 3rd Annual Connecticut Funding Workshop | March 31 | 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM | Gateway Community College
Attendees will hear from program officers representing various local, state, and regional funding organizations and be able to engage in discussions with funders to explore project ideas and ways to improve funding applications. Attendees will also hear from a panel of successful awardees about their experiences and strategies. For more information, click here.

Other Events 

• 3/6/26 (virtual): The Intersection of Affordable Homes & Housing Quality webinar provides the opportunity to learn from community experts on the quality and safety of Connecticut's housing stock. For more information, click here.
• 3/11/26 (virtual): BRADS Redevelop Without Displacement: Inclusionary Strategies for Brownfields Projects explores strategies and tools to ensure brownfields redevelopment benefits existing residents rather than displacing them. For more information, click here.
• 3/23/26 (Boston): Foundations of Sustainable Materials and Recycling course explores the history and evolution of recycling, dynamics of materials markets, and key industry terminology. For more information, click here.
• Application deadline- 4/20/26 (virtual): Yale's Financing and Deploying Clean Energy 10-month Certificate Program is designed to train professionals with cutting-edge expertise in policy, finance, and clean technology. For more information, click here. 

Tribal News

Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba, the 18th chief of the Mohegan tribe and the first Native American to serve as treasurer of the United States, will deliver the keynote address at Connecticut College’s 108th Commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2026. For more information, click here.

Hartford HealthCare and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation are partnering to build a one-stop health center on tribal land that will offer a variety of services including primary care and same-day care as well as a pharmacy. For more information, click here.

Events 

2026 Tribal Energy Webinar Series | March 12 & 18
DOE's Office of Indian Energy will be hosting its 2026 Tribal Energy Webinar Series. Quarterly webinars will focus on three themes: Unleashing Tribal Energy Resources, Tribal Energy Program Review Mini-Series, and Creating the Enabling Framework to Advance High-Value Energy Projects. These webinars will give participants information to advance Tribal energy development and foster peer-to-peer learning. For more information, click here. 

• March 12: Office of Indian Energy Program Review Mini-Series: Alaska Energy Focus
• March 18: Successful Power Project Development Best Practices

Introduction to Primary Responsible Party (PRP) Search for States and Tribes | March 24 - March 25 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Daily
This two-day course is for State and Tribal Superfund Enforcement staff that are looking for an overview of EPA’s PRP Search process. Participants can expect this course to provide them with basic information on common PRP Search related tasks. The instructors will consist of a team of experienced PRP Search professionals, Superfund technical staff, and Office of Regional Counsel attorneys. For more information, click here.

National Tribal Forum on Air Quality | April 27-30
The National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ) aims to support tribal programs by fostering information-sharing and networking opportunities that are focused on building tribal capacity in air quality management. The event’s agenda is driven by tribal input and priorities, with a focus on increasing tribal engagement in air quality initiatives that are relevant to tribal communities across the nation. For more information, click here.

We hope to include more Tribal related news, funding opportunities, and resources to include in the EJ newsletter. Please reach out to Danielle Russell (danielle.russell@ct.gov) with any resources you'd like featured. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

For funding for environmental justice projects around New England, explore the new EJ Funding and Financing Navigator. 

For DEEP grant programs, explore DEEP's Grants and Financial Assistance page. 

For opportunities available for Tribal communities, explore Current Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities | Department of Energy.

• 3/12/26 deadline: Climate Smart Communities Initiative provides funding, expertise, training, and other resources to help communities advance climate resilience plans and projects, with a focus on frontline and climate-vulnerable communities. 
  • Eligible entities: Communities facing significant impacts from climate change-related hazards
  • Funding amount: $75,000 to $115,000
  • Contact: info@climatesmartcommunity.org. For more information, click here.
• 3/25/26 deadline: Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development – Round 23 provides financial and technical assistance to municipalities and economic development agencies as well as brownfield owners and potential developers.
  • Eligible entities: Individual/Landowner, Local Government Entity, Nonprofit/501(c)3 Organization, State Agency
  • Funding amount: $200,000-$6 million depending on grant type
  • Contact: brownfields@ct.gov. For more information, click here. 
• 3/26/26 deadline: DEEP Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants. Connecticut receives funds from EPA for Section 319 grants that can be passed onto communities, local conservation groups, and other organizations for NPS implementation projects, plans, and statewide NPS management efforts.
  • Funding amount: $150,000 - $350,000
  • Contact: DEEP.Watershed@ct.gov. For more information, click here.
• 3/31/26 deadline: NFWF National Coastal Resilience Fund focuses on reducing risks to coastline communities. The fund is now soliciting pre-proposals for coastal resilience projects that restore, increase, and strengthen natural infrastructure such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, rivers and floodplains, coastal forest, and barrier islands that mitigate the impacts of storms and other coastal hazards to communities.
  • Eligible entities: non-profit 501(c) organizations, state and territorial government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, educational institutions, or commercial (for-profit) organizations.
  • Funding amount: no maximum amount
  • For more information, click here.
• 4/15/2026 deadline: EPA Wildlife Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant is available for the assessment, prevention, control, and/or abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings and related activities. 
  • Eligible entities: states, federally recognized Tribes, public pre-schools, local educational agencies, and non-profit organization.
  • Funding amount: 8-11 grants ranging from $350,000 to $2,500,000.
  • Contact: WildfireSmokeGrants@epa.gov. For more information, click here. 
• Rolling deadline: New England Grassroots Environment Fund provides funding for groups launching new projects or starting to significantly change the direction of an existing project.  
• • Eligible entities: Groups doing local, grassroots work in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI or VT. 501c3 status is not required. 
  • Funding amount: $500 - $1,000.  
  • Contact: Tess Beem, tess@grassrootsfund.org. For more information, click here. 

FEATURED JOBS

• 3/9/26: Accounting Careers Trainee; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 3/10/26: Environmental Engineer 3; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 3/12/26: Research Vessel Captain; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 7/1/26: Fall College Internship Programs; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Office of Policy and Management; Office of the Governor
• Until filled: Programs Manager; Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed

Click here to read past DEEP Equity & EJ Newsletters

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event. 

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