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February 2025

The Resilience Roundup highlights announcements and events along with links to the previous month's state, regional, and national resilience news. 

Learn more about CIRCA at circa.uconn.edu

and the Resilient Connecticut Project at resilientconnecticut.uconn.edu

CIRCA Updates

New Policy Guide Helps Connecticut Municipalities Navigate Energy Resilience


The Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment, along with the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation at the University of Connecticut, have created a new resource to help communities in the northeast better respond to climate change. The 2024 Policy Guide to Local Energy Resilience for Connecticut looks at both federal and Constitution State incentives for distributed renewable energy and storage. Distributed renewables can help towns withstand increased natural disasters— something applicable far beyond Connecticut’s borders. With a growing number of extreme weather events, local investment in solar, storage, and microgrids is more important than ever. CIRCA’s Director of Resilience Planning, John Truscinski, emphasizes that now is the ideal time for municipalities to take advantage of available funding to enhance their energy infrastructure. The guide, authored by energy legal fellow Kirt Mayland, provides clear direction on accessing these resources and avoiding common challenges. Read the full online guide HERE.

East Haddam Public Workshop 2

 

East Haddam has experienced flooding along the Succor Brook Corridor in the past few years, including damage to several key community spots. The Resilient East Haddam project aims to define current and future flooding risks and identify potential protection and mitigation measures. Join us on Wednesday, February 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the East Haddam Municipal Complex, Meeting Room 1, One Plains Road, for a public workshop to discuss the Resilient East Haddam project. This interactive session will include a presentation and opportunity to discuss specific adaptation alternatives to mitigate climate risks in the project area.

New CIRCA Fact Sheet: Beavers and

Climate Resilience in Connecticut


CIRCA has released a new fact sheet exploring the role of beavers in shaping wetlands, improving water retention, and enhancing climate resilience. The fact sheet highlights how beaver activity can mitigate flooding, support biodiversity, and improve water quality, while also addressing challenges such as infrastructure impacts and property conflicts. It provides insights into management strategies, including solutions for coexisting with beavers and regulatory considerations in Connecticut. Access the factsheet HERE.

Paid Internship at CIRCA for Current UConn Students!


CIRCA, located at the UConn's Avery Point campus in Groton, CT, is looking for a paid intern to work with the Institute’s staff. Open to students from ALL UConn campuses.  Please share widely!  MORE INFO & HOW TO APPLY HERE

Announcements

DEEP Seeks Environmental Representative for

Energy Efficiency Board


The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking applications for an open position on the Energy Efficiency Board (EEB) to represent an environmental organization. This appointment involves advising and assisting Connecticut’s utilities in developing and implementing the Conservation and Load Management Plan, which directs investments in statewide energy efficiency programs. Interested candidates should submit their applications through the CT.GOV job site by February 24, 2025. For more information about the EEB and the 2025-2027 Conservation and Load Management Plan, visit the Energize CT Website.  

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NOAA Coastal Resilience Fellowship Program


Application Deadline: February 28, 2025



The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is pleased to announce the Coastal Resilience Fellowship, which will place 33 fellows with Climate Resilience Regional Challenge projects and will be funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. This fellowship is a two-year opportunity (June 2025 to June 2027), offering a competitive salary of $42,000 to $56,000, depending on the cost of living in the fellowship location, plus medical benefits and travel and relocation expense reimbursement. 

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Grants

Long Island Sound Resilience Planning Support Program

Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI)


The Long Island Sound (LIS) Resilience Planning Support Program, funded by the U.S. EPA, is now accepting Expressions of Interest until 11:59 PM on February 7, 2025. This program provides assistance to communities in New York and Connecticut within the LIS Coastal Boundary to develop sustainability and resilience-focused projects. The program aims to help communities assess climate risks, conceptualize project ideas, and conduct preliminary planning, enabling them to secure funding for project design and implementation. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofits, NGOs, academic institutions, tribes, and community organizations located within or partially within the LIS Coastal Boundary.


Support through this program may include climate risk assessments, project scoping, and planning, with awards ranging from $35,000 to $115,000 for up to two years. A funding match is not required. Applications can be submitted through an online form, email, or mail, with detailed instructions and a FAQ document available online. The feedback and award announcements expected by Summer 2025.For more information, including application details and resources, visit the LIS Resilience Resource Hub.

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 CT DEEP is Accepting Proposals for Grant Under Section 319

of the Federal Clean Water Act


 The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for fiscal year 2025 Clean Water Section 319 grants. Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act (Section 319) is a Federal program to control nonpoint sources (NPS) of water pollution. 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. Proposals may be submitted by any interested public or private organization and must be received by February 13, 2025.


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DOT FHWA: Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program


Application Deadline: Feb 24, 2025


FHWA is hereby accepting applications under the Fiscal Years 2024-2026 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program. The purpose of the PROTECT Program is to provide grants on a competitive basis for projects that seek to strengthen surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, heat waves, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk costal infrastructure.

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DEEP Climate Resilience Fund Request for Proposals (RFP): Matching Funds for FEMA BRIC


Application Deadline: March 3, 2025


DEEP is accepting applications for Matching Funds for FEMA BRIC, a new matching grants program that will help towns build resilience to the impacts of extreme weather. This new program will award up to $10 million in matching funds to make it easier for towns to apply to FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program (FEMA BRIC), a critically important source of federal funds for projects that pro-actively protect communities from extreme weather events. Matching Funds for FEMA BRIC will prioritize awards for projects that reduce risk in vulnerable communities and create other benefits, such as community amenities. Matching Funds for FEMA BRIC is open to municipal governments, local public utilities, federally recognized Tribal nations, and other entities that are eligible for FEMA BRIC.

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DEEP: Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Community Resource Hub Service Providers


Application Deadline: March 12, 2025


DEEP has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking proposals from qualified organizations to serve as DEEP Community Resource Hubs (Hubs) in environmental justice communities (EJ) throughout Connecticut. The Hubs will facilitate communication, education, and outreach, and offer essential resources, including equipment and technical assistance, to empower residents in environmental and energy initiatives. On February 13, 2025, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, DEEP is hosting a hybrid informational session on the RFQ. This session will include a meet-and-greet for potential applicants and partners. Register for the Zoom meeting HERE or for the in-person meeting (at 79 Elm St Hartford, CT) HERE.

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Energize CT: Community Partnership Initiative – Round 3 Applications Open


Application Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2025


The Community Partnership Initiative provides funding to local organizations, nonprofits, and environmental justice municipalities to expand energy efficiency outreach. This initiative supports Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible, heat pump adoption, Small Business Energy Advantage, and the Multifamily Initiative.

Eligible applicants include groups serving distressed municipalities, residents with limited English proficiency, income-eligible renters and homeowners, multifamily property owners, and small businesses. Applications should outline proposed 2025 outreach campaigns to drive participation in energy efficiency programs.

Informational webinars were held on January 21, and open question forums will be held on February 4.

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FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program



Application Deadline: March 14th, 2024, 3 pm


The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program supports states, local and territorial governments and Tribal Nations as they work to reduce their hazard risk.

The program aims to support communities as they build capability and capacity. BRIC also encourages and aids innovation. It helps partnerships grow; supports infrastructure projects; and fosters flexibility and consistency.


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NOAA Opens $100 Million Grant for Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience


Applications Deadline: April 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET


NOAA is now accepting applications for the Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This program provides $100 million to support projects that restore marine, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems while improving community resilience to climate hazards like storms, flooding, and erosion. Of the total funding, $15 million is reserved for Tribal organizations. Awards will range from $750,000 to $10 million. Eligible projects should align with resilience or watershed plans, rebuild sustainable fisheries, restore habitats for endangered species, and engage tribal, indigenous, and underserved communities as active stewards of natural resources. The program also prioritizes initiatives that foster economic vitality, provide co-benefits like public access and revitalization, and ensure benefits flow to disadvantaged communities, in line with the Justice40 Initiative.

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Events

NOAA: Advancing Coastal Resilience through Nature-Based Solutions: Weathering the Storm



February 20, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.


This webinar will showcase two efforts aiming to understand the performance of nature-based solutions for shoreline protection during and after storm events. The two practitioners that will discuss their work are Lexia Weaver from the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Tom Ries from Ecosphere Restoration Institute. This webinar is part of a new informational series sharing NOAA-supported projects that use nature-based solutions to advance coastal resilience. 

REGISTER HERE

State and Regional News Clips

VLGS Resource Offers Solutions to Address Climate Resilience for Floodplain Communities

Vermont Biz - January 9, 2025


 The Vermont Law and Graduate School's Institute for Energy and the Environment, along with the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation at the University of Connecticut, have created a new resource to help communities in the northeast better respond to climate change. The 2024 Policy Guide to Local Energy Resilience for Connecticut looks at both federal and Constitution State incentives for distributed renewable energy and storage. Distributed renewables can help towns withstand increased natural disasters— something applicable far beyond Connecticut’s borders.

Continued...

Yantic River Flood One Year Later: What Is Being Done to Protect Residents and Businesses?

Norwich Bulletin - January 9, 2025


Parts of Norwich, Bozrah and Franklin were covered in water at the start of last year after heavy rain and a leak at the Fitchville Pond Dam led to the Yantic River overflowing. While nobody died, it caused a great deal of property damage for homeowners and businesses alike. A year later, what’s being done to prevent future flooding?

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National News Clips

National Adaptation Plans:

 Building Resilience in a Changing Climate

United Nations Climate Change - January 22, 2025


UN Climate Change reports that 64 countries, including the U.S., have submitted National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to strengthen climate resilience. These plans outline strategies to protect lives, economies, and infrastructure from worsening climate impacts. With extreme weather causing trillions in losses, the UN urges more countries to submit NAPs by 2025 to drive global adaptation efforts.

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Here's How Climate change Fueled The Los Angeles Fires

NPR - January 29, 2025


In early January, the stage was set for a wildfire disaster in Los Angeles. A long, hot summer had dried out the plants and vegetation, making it more flammable. Drought conditions dragged on, as winter rains had yet to arrive. Then came powerful Santa Ana winds, gusting above 80 miles per hour. The result was more than 16,000 homes and buildings were destroyed after the fast-moving Eaton and Palisades fires exploded. In those extreme conditions, firefighters had little hope of getting control of the blazes.

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The Resilience Roundup highlights CIRCA's presence in the news, provides links to recent local/state/national news articles related to resilience and adaptation, and announces upcoming events and seminars.
 
The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation's (CIRCA) mission is to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut's coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change and extreme weather on the natural, built, and human environment. The institute is located at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus and includes faculty from across the university. CIRCA is a partnership between UConn and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). 
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