Dear Community,

Thank you for tuning into our June 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.  

In this edition, we are excited to highlight the upcoming Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC) Quarterly Meeting and Community Tour on June 23rd in Waterbury! Join us between 10 AM - 12:30 PM at five sites across the city to learn about current and historical EJ experiences. We will be at Adams St Development Project with NEST CT, Platt Park with Naugatuck River Revival Clean Up Project, Riverside Cemetery with CT DOT to learn about The New Mix: CTDOT’s vision for the future of the I-84/Route 8 “Mixmaster” interchange, Lakewood Park Beach with CT DEEP's Urban Fishing Coordinator to talk about community fishing access, and the George Tirado Sr. Park to learn about the redevelopment of a former brownfield site to a multi-use recreational field. 

At 12:30 PM, we will be at Mattatuck Museum to hear from Waterbury officials and DEEP Commissioner, Katie Dykes. The rest of the meeting will engage participants across environmental justice issues and concerns that the Council is tackling, including how to think about development focused tax incentives in EJ Communities. 

We are looking forward to this opportunity to connect with residents, groups, and organizations in Waterbury, and we hope you consider joining us. Registration is required by June 18. A webinar link is available if you are only able to join virtually.

Gratefully yours,

Office of Equity and Environmental Justice

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CEEJAC and the State's Open Space Watershed Review Board are seeking Environmental Justice Community Representatives to join. Both of these councils and boards help shape the state's progress on environmental justice. If you have questions, please reach out to Sarah.Huang@ct.gov or Lindsay.Suhr@ct.gov. To apply, click here. 

Connecticut 2026 Draft Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan is now accepting comments through June 26, 2026. The network plan is updated annually and details the air monitoring network in CT and any changes to the air quality monitoring sites and air pollutants. CT DEEP maintains 14 air monitoring stations throughout the state to measure criteria air pollutants and additional pollutants of concern and administers a community air monitoring program. Draft plan is available here and comments can be emailed to Randall.Semagin@ct.gov by June 26!

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.

On May 6th, CEEJAC Energy & Technology and Air & Transportation Subcommittees held a joint meeting with DEEP's Office of Climate Planning to discuss the state's forthcoming Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC) benefits analysis. The CCAP identifies mitigation measures to reduce emissions to meet CT’s targets. During this session, DEEP and ICF, the consultant helping develop the CCAP, will discuss the effects of the state’s greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction measures on EJ Communities. 

If you missed the meeting, please check out the meeting recording, slides, and meeting minutes available on the E&T Subcommittee Webpage and below. 

May 6, 2026 | Comprehensive Climate Action Plan Benefits Analysis
Download Meeting Agenda
Watch Meeting Recording
Download Meeting Minutes
Download Slides

Please Join CEEJAC at Our Upcoming Meetings: 

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting & Community Tour (In-Person)
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
144 West Main St Waterbury, CT (Mattatuck Museum)
Register to Attend 
Register for Webinar Link (only available from 1:00 - 4:00 PM)

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

2026 Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice | June 2-3 | Virtual & In-Person | Washington, DC
Ocean resources and policy influence have long been inequitable due to racism, colonialism, and industrialization. Meanwhile, coastal communities face disproportionate impacts from climate change, pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, coastal gentrification, and oil and gas activities. This event will prioritize the experiences and voices of communities who have been historically excluded from ocean conservation discussions. The event will feature expert panels, high-level guest speakers, and much more. For more information, click here.

Celebrate Rocky Neck State Park | June 6 | 9:00AM to 12:00PM | Rocky Neck State Park (244 W Main St, Niantic, CT)
Join us for a family fun day with expert-led trail walks to learn about plants, geology and local habitats and activities including scavenger hunts, geocaching, and crafts. This free event is hosted by CT DEEP, The Nature Conservancy, CT Sea Grant, the Long Island Sound Partnership, Restore America's Estuaries, and CT National Estuarine Research Reserve. For more information, click here.

Sustainable CT: Spring into Summer Celebration | June 11 | 4PM to 7PM | Hill-Stead Museum
Sustainable CT will be hosting a celebration for the communities and leaders shaping a more resilient future for Connecticut. As our nation prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, the gathering is to reflect on our state's past, celebrate our shared progress, and honor the visionary work making history today. They will be honoring their spring certified communities, some of favorite friends and partners will be tabling, and introduce their newest cohort of Sustainable CT Fellows. They will have music and light fare, of course, and all of your Sustainable CT friends will be there. For more information, click here.

Third Annual Learning Exchange | June 25 | 9:30AM to 3:30 PM | City University of New York 
The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund’s Annual Learning Exchange is a free, day-long event aimed at capacity-building, networking, and knowledge sharing for organizations, groups, and individuals that manage projects improving the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound region. For more information, click here.

Fish with CARE Events | June - August Options | Statewide
The CARE program offers a variety of “Learn to Fish” classes and events year-round. Fishing events are designed for adults ages 16 and up, as well as families with children 6 years old and above. The CARE program will provide loaner fishing equipment, bait, and expert instruction. A fishing license is required; free licenses for youth 15 and under are available here. For more information, click here.

Project Oceanology Summer Camps | June - August Options | Groton
Project Oceanology’s Summer Camp offers a unique opportunity for youth ages 9–17 to explore, learn, and grow through hands-on marine science. As a Connecticut-licensed, year-round nonprofit education organization, Project Oceanology has been a trusted provider of engaging summer programs since 1972, offering both day and overnight camp options. For more information, click here. 

Other Events 

• 6/2/26: SCRCOG CT Green Bank Workshop: Sustainable CT (North Haven) For more information, click here.
• 6/17/26: Long Island Sound River Restoration Network: Stream Smart Training (Canton). For more information, click here.

Tribal Events

CT Open House Day | June 13 | 11:00AM to 4:00PM | The Institute for American Indian Studies (38 Curtis Rd, Washington, CT) 
Visit the museum to learn about more than 12,000-year history of CT's Indigenous inhabitants. Museum educators and docents will be available to give tours. Learn more here.

Walking Stick Workshop with Susan Scherf | June 20 | 1:00 PM | The Institute for American Indian Studies (38 Curtis Rd, Washington, CT) 
Indigenous communities of the Eastern Woodlands have used this late spring season to harvest bark for wigwam construction, basket-making, and other items. Join this workshop to design your own walking stick. All materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring a whittling knife. Registration is requested; learn more 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 Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Funding Opportunities.

• 7/2/2026 deadline: Through the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership, the DOE-OE is to provide direct funding, access to technical experts, and educational resources to energy providers and partners to build, operate, and enhance microgrid systems that improve the affordability, reliability, and security of electricity in rural and remote areas of the U.S. For more information, click here. 
  • Eligible entities: non-profits, including energy cooperatives, State and local governmental entities, federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and villages.
  • Funding amount: up to 8 awards totally $2.5 million
  • Contact: Kyndall Jackson, kyndall.jackson@nlr.gov
• 7/24/2026 deadline: Unleashing Tribal Energy Development NOFO through the DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs is soliciting applications to advance affordable, reliable, and secure energy development of Tribal energy resources for the benefit of Tribes and their members. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: Indian Tribes, Tribal and intertribal organizations, Tribal Energy Development Organizations, Tribal Colleges and Universities. 
  • Funding amount: up to $7,500,000
  • Contact: TribalGrants@hq.doe.gov
• Rolling deadline: Solar Moonshot Program Grant is helping 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations across the United States make the switch to clean energy. Grant priority is given to solar projects that have additional funding sources and community support. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Funding amount: up to $25,000
• 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

• 6/2/26: Environmental Analyst 1; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 6/5/26: EP Air Pollution Control Engineer 3; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 6/5/26: Environmental Protection Park And Recreation Supervisor 3; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 6/11/26: Environmental Protection Dispatcher; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 6/15/26: Environmental Justice Organizational Defense Intake and Logistics Coordinator, Collaborative Clinic for Non-Profit Viability at Yale Center for EJ
• 7/1/26: Fall College Internship Programs; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Office of Policy and Management; Office of the Governor
• Until filled: Managing Director; Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

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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