Dear Community,

Thank you for tuning into our September 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.  

In this edition, we are highlighting that DEEP's Concierge Team has launched a Small Business Technical Assistance Program (SBTAP) and website to provide support to small business owners and operators. The program is designed to help local businesses navigate environmental rules and regulations, the permitting process, funding sources, and connect with key points of contact for small business organizations. 

DEEP’s Concierge Team participates in the National Network of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs and are closely connected to DEEP’s Equity and Environmental Justice Office and sister agencies, such as the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). DEEP and DECD consider small businesses as employing 100 or less. For more information, click here.

Gratefully yours,

Office of Equity and Environmental Justice

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Governor Lamont announced a $20 million investment from the Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program to establish a Hartford Innovation Center in downtown Hartford. This will serve as a new urban workforce campus featuring labs, classrooms, and project spaces for partners to nurture and accelerate skill building and AI adoption across Connecticut. For more information, click here.

DEEP released a Notice of Proceeding and Request for Written Comment in furtherance of the report it is developing on the equitable distribution of solar siting in Connecticut. DEEP will accept written comments until Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Written comments may be submitted to DEEP.STEPS@ct.gov with “PA 26-127 – Section 16 – Equitable Distribution of Solar Siting Report” in the subject line. For more information, click here. 

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. 

DEEP announced the launch of Laptop ConneCT. This program, in partnership with the Connecticut State Library, will put laptops and related accessories in the hands of the state residents who need them most. After two introductory webinars, over 100 principal public libraries have already signed up to participate in this long-term lending system, and DEEP is continuing to accept applications from libraries. The program aims to expand digital opportunity and connect more people to education, employment, healthcare, and essential resources. 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 Meetings: 

CEEJAC Quarterly Meeting (In-Person)
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM
DEEP HQ - 79 Elm St Hartford, CT
5th Floor, Gina McCarthy Auditorium
Register to attend on Zoom 
Register to attend In-Person 
Download Meeting Agenda

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

FEATURED EVENTS

The Collaborative Clinic for Nonprofit Viability | September 11 | Virtual
In this webinar, Environmental Justice and Indigenous nonprofit leaders will learn how to access organizational health checks and pro bono support. Practicing attorneys will get a firsthand look at these newly developed resources and have the opportunity to provide critical feedback to shape the future of this collaborative work. For more information, click here. 

Climate Week 2026: Climate Fest | September 19 | Hartford 
Join Sierra Club for Climate Fest aimed to bring together community organizations and sustainable small businesses that are making a difference across Connecticut. It’s a chance to discover local organizations, meet inspiring people, learn about sustainability, and find ways to get involved right here in your own community. For more information, click here. 

Climate Week 2026: Building People Power For Environmental Justice | September 21 | Hamden
Join Integrity Acts for Climate Week to bring together residents, organizers, advocates, students, and anyone passionate about building healthier, more equitable communities. For more information, click here.

Connect & Catalyze: Statewide EJ Convening | October 14 | Hartford
This one-day statewide convening aims to bring together community leaders, nonprofit organizations, advocates, funders, researchers, government partners, and technical assistance providers working to advance environmental justice across Connecticut. For more information, click here.

Other Events 

• 9/8/26: LISCIF 2027 Informational Webinar. For more information, click here. 
• 9/9/26: ELI's Lessons From an Evaluation of the GEF’s Support to Marginalized Groups (Virtual). For more information, click here.

• 9/17/26: LISCIF 2027 Informational Webinar. For more information, click here.

Tribal News

The Mohegan Tribe has introduced a new self-guided tour for guests to experience the Tribe's stories, traditions, and symbols throughout the property. For more information, click here.

Tribal Events

Housatonic Heritage Walk Walking With Both Eyes Open: Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge | September 12 | 1PM | IAIS
Join IAIS staff for a guided walk exploring local plants and animals through both Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific perspectives. For more information, click here.

Up and Down The River Movie Screening and Discussion with Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel | September 19 | 3PM | IAIS
A short film screening about Mohegan experiences during the American Revolution, followed by a discussion with co-writer Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel about the film and its history. For more information, click here.

Hand Drum Making Workshop | Sunday, September 20 | 11AM | IAIS
Learn about the history and significance of drums in Native American cultures while creating your own 12-inch elk rawhide hand drum and drumstick. 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 Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Funding Opportunities.

• 10/1/2026 deadline: EnergizeCT's Community Energy Boost Grant Program will fund community outreach groups to help local residents and businesses better understand available energy efficiency programs and offers, including Home Energy Solutions^SM – Income Eligible, heat pump adoption, Small Business Energy Advantage and the Multifamily Initiative. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: Incorporated nonprofit organizations, community groups, chambers of commerce and councils of governments

• 11/6/2026 deadline: DEEP's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program provides financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land for open space, and to water companies to acquire land to be classified as Class I or Class II water supply property. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: municipalities, non-profit land conservation organizations, and water companies
  • Funding: based upon the fair market value 
• 11/18/2026 deadline: DOE's Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP), which helps coastal, remote, and island communities develop more affordable, reliable, and secure energy systems through strategic energy planning support and deep-dive technical assistance. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: federally recognized Tribe, or a community with fewer than 50,000, within 50 miles of a coastline, or located on an island.
  • Funding: Technical assistance and up to $ $50,000
• 11/24/2026 deadline: Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) provides technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: non-profit organizations, Tribes, state, county, and local governments, and their subdivisions, and academic institutions.
  • Funding: Typical awards of $5,000 to $100,000
  • Contact: Shahela Begum, LISCIF Program Director;  sbegum@estuaries.org. 
• 12/4/2026 deadline: DEEP's Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. For more information, click here.
  • Eligible entities: distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and municipalities that are an environmental justice community.
  • Funding: UCGC is a reimbursement matching program; grant funds can cover up to 50% of the total project cost.
• 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. For more information, click here. 
  • 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

FEATURED JOBS

• 9/3/26: EP Supervising Air Pollution Control Engineer; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 9/4/26: Engineer Trainee; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 9/8/26: Supervising Environmental Analyst; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 9/9/26: Environmental Analyst 2; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• 9/14/26: Environmental Protection Dispatcher; Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

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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