DEEP Closes Offices Amid Pandemic Concerns

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection closed its offices this week, with most of the agency’s staff now working remotely.

With offices closed to protect staff and the public during the coronavirus pandemic, the department is working to maintain programs and services.

Permit, registration, and request submissions are being accepted electronically and DEEP has extended various deadlines. 

Select documents, including hazardous waste manifests, are accessible through DEEP’s Document Online Search Portal.

Requests for records should be sent via email. DEEP says requests will be fulfilled, in the order they were received, once the “Stay Safe, Stay Home” order is lifted.

Executive Orders

A number of Gov. Lamont’s executive orders also impact DEEP operations, including: 

• Executive Order No. 7R: Authorizes DEEP to conduct enforcement measures to prevent state parks from exceeding capacity.
• Executive Order No. 7N: Temporarily suspends the ten-cent fee on single-use plastic bags.
• Executive Order No. 7H: Classifies wastewater utilities, solid waste hauling, and recycling as essential services. 

DEEP has also provided pertinent staff contact information for the regulated community relating to land acquisition, remediation, and water infrastructure. 

For more information, contact CBIA’s Michelle Rakebrand (203.592.7532) | @MRakebrand