May 2026

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

UConn Climate Conference Focuses on

Building Resilience Across New England

NBC Connecticut - April 28, 2026

An Earth Week conference at the UConn School of Law brought together students, scientists, and policymakers to discuss regional strategies for climate resilience in New England. CIRCA executive director, Jim O’Donnell, emphasized the need for long‑term, future‑ready infrastructure, reinforcing the event’s focus on preparing communities for stronger storms, flooding, and other climate‑driven challenges. Keynote speaker Robert Thorson and panelists highlighted how collaboration and thoughtful land‑use planning can guide municipalities toward more resilient futures. 

Announcements

Governor Lamont Announces Lower Electricity Rates in Response To Benefits Received From Nuclear Contracts and Other State Energy Policies

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has approved an interim decision that will lower residential electricity rates throughout Connecticut starting May 1, 2026, including by 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour or about $30 per month for an average Eversource residential customer and 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour or about $34 per month for an average United Illuminating residential customer. This significant reduction in residential electricity bills is driven by a decrease in the public benefits charge, which will now be a credit on ratepayers’ bills – rather than an additional charge – through at least September. The decrease in the public benefits charge is, in large part, due to the contracts Governor Lamont negotiated with the Millstone and Seabrook nuclear power plants, which provide energy at fixed prices and insulate ratepayers from volatile fossil fuel pricing.

State Agencies Continue to Make Sustainability Gains and Operating Savings Through GreenerGovCT Initiative

GreenerGovCT, Governor Lamont’s government sustainability and cost-savings program, has helped reduce state agency greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 30% since 2019, GreenerGovCT Chairs shared at the annual Steering Committee Meeting Tuesday. GreenerGov CT provides guidance and assistance to agencies to be more sustainable in an effort to reduce waste and lower operating costs. Since 2012, state agencies have completed over 100 projects to reduce energy and water use in state facilities, which will save taxpayers over $20 million in lower operating costs over the next 20 years.

Grants

USDA: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants

 in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

Application Deadline: Rolling

This program supports rural communities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that need help preparing for or recovering from an emergency that threatens safe, reliable drinking water. Eligible areas are rural towns with populations of 10,000 or less, tribal lands in rural areas, or colonias with household incomes below the state’s non-metro median. Funding may be used for waterline repairs, new wells, treatment plants, or other improvements to restore or secure water supplies. Applications are accepted year-round through your local USDA Rural Development office or online.

Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2026 Request for Proposals

Deadline: May 19, 2026

Proposal Labs: March 3, 2026 - April 30, 2026 | Register for the Lab HERE

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound). The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Partnership (LIS Partnership). Major funding is from EPA through the LIS Partnership.

CTDOT State Local Bridge Program

Deadline: May 31, 2026

In Connecticut, there are approximately 4,200 bridges and culverts on municipally maintained roads. Construction and maintenance of these structures is the responsibility of the cities and towns who own them. Recognizing the difficulty that municipalities have in meeting this responsibility, the General Assembly created the Local Bridge Program in 1984 as part of the State’s Infrastructure Renewal Program. This program provides for State grants to municipalities for the removal, replacement, reconstruction or rehabilitation of local bridges.  

Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is anticipated for release in May/June 2026.

Healthy urban forests are essential to Connecticut’s communities. They improve air and water quality, reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, and provide economic, recreational, and public health benefits. However, many urban forests are facing significant stress from invasive pests and diseases, including beech leaf disease, spongy moth, and emerald ash borer. This can result in declining, hazardous, or dead trees that create safety risks and pose barriers to replanting. With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, CT DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program is offering funding to help municipalities restore their urban and community forests.

U.S. Department of Transportation:

Port Infrastructure Development Program

Deadline: June 1, 2026

The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) is a discretionary grant program administered by the Maritime Administration. Funds for the PIDP are awarded on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port. PIDP grants support efforts by ports and industry stakeholders to improve port and related freight infrastructure to meet the nation’s freight transportation needs and ensure our port infrastructure can meet anticipated growth in freight volumes. The PIDP provides funding to ports in both urban and rural areas for planning and capital projects. It also includes a statutory set-aside for small ports to continue to improve and expand their capacity to move freight reliably and efficiently and support local and regional economies.

Community Investment Fund 2030

Deadline: June 5, 2026

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across the state. CIF will provide a total of up to $676 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

Grants are available for:

• Capital improvement programs, such as brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation
• Planning for capital projects including activities such as community engagement processes, feasibility studies, development of project plan and construction budget

Resilient Forestry Practices Grant

Deadline: June 15, 2026

Municipally-owned woodlands play a vital role in supporting well-functioning natural systems and a high quality of life for Connecticut residents. They improve air and water quality, support a variety of plant and wildlife species, strengthen landscape health and resilience, and provide recreational and other community benefits. These forests, however, face growing threats to their health from pests, diseases, invasive species, extreme weather events, and other stressors. Many of these stressors and threats can be managed or mitigated through resilient forestry practices. With support from the Inflation Reduction Act, CT DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program has $1 million available to help rural communities in Connecticut implement resilient forestry practices.

FEMA BRIC Grant

Deadline: July 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET

As of March 25, 2026, the combined FY24–FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been released and is now available on Grants.gov. This NOFO provides $1,000,000,000 in funding for States, Territories, and Tribes, with $757 million available nationwide through a competitive grant program that includes a $20 million cap on the federal share. Applicants are encouraged to review their Hazard Mitigation Plans to identify eligible mitigation actions and ready-to-go projects.

Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program

Deadline: August 6, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program is a competitive program that provides funding to state, territory and local governments and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Community Specific Brownfield

Risk Communication

May 13, 2026 12:00 p.m.

Join UConn TAB for their Spring & Summer Webinar series. Links to register for the webinars, as well as more information, will be updated continuously. This particular webinar will be led by Rupal Parekh, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at UConn).

CEEJAC Land Resource Hour about Resilient Forestry, Open Space, and Community Gardens

May 14, 2026 3:00 p.m.

Join CEEJAC Land Subcommittee's "Resource Hour" to learn about funding opportunities that are open to EJ communities. During this hour, you will hear about Resilient Forestry Practices Grant, Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG), and Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) programs. Furthermore, you'll get to hear flash talks from program managers about eligibility and application requirements.

Map Reading and Mapping Resources for Land Use Commissioners

May 16, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

Location: UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438

Cost: $45.00 (In-Person only)

Complimentary continental breakfast provided. 

UConn CLEAR is offering a training session on Map Reading and Mapping Resources for Land Use Commissioners. Participants will earn three or more hours of general commissioner training, along with one hour dedicated to Fair and Affordable Housing Practices, as required under CGS 8‑4c.

Notice of Two Listening Sessions to receive Public Comments on Draft Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Initiative Program Evaluation



May 26, 2026 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: DEEP’s Gina McCarthy Auditorium, 5th Floor, 79 Elm Street,

Hartford, CT 06106 | Also virtually through Zoom

CT DEEP has scheduled two hybrid listening sessions for the purpose of receiving public comments on DEEP’s “Draft Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Initiative Program Evaluation” required pursuant to Section 12 of Public Act 25-125. Identical listening sessions are offered either in-person at DEEP’s Gina McCarthy Auditorium, 5th Floor, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106, or remotely via Zoom.

2026 Long Island Sound Research Conference

Deadline to Register: May 19, 2026

Event Date: June 4-5

Location: Mystic Hilton Hotel 20 Coogan Boulevard Mystic, CT 06355

Registration Fees: General $150 | Students $75

The Long Island Sound Research Conference convenes researchers and partners working in the Sound and its watershed to share science, connect across disciplines, and support collaborative solutions. Held biennially and rotating between Connecticut and New York, the conference highlights research aligned with the four goals of the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).

NOAA Sea Level Calculator Has Been Updated

This tool produces location-specific scenarios for sea level and flooding, as well as information about present-day and past conditions. Local governments and other practitioners can use the information to make informed decisions about strategic adaptation investments. The site incorporates data, maps, and visualizations and produces automated, location-specific reports.

CT Town's Proposed In-Ground Pool Ban

Amid Rising Sea Levels Nearly Unprecedented

Yahoo News! | CT Insider - April 22, 2026

With sea levels projected to rise 20 inches in Long Island Sound by 2050 according to a 2019 report, Connecticut coastal towns and cities are rethinking how to adapt to climate change. Homes are being elevated. Marshes restored. Acoustic sensors installed. Living shorelines built to absorb waves and flooding. "In towns, over the last 10 years there's been an appreciation that sea level is rising," said James O'Donnell, director of the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, and author of the February 2019 sea level report.

The Year So Far: Hottest and Driest in U.S. History

Yale Climate Connections - April 8, 2026

Last month was the warmest March in records for the contiguous United States in national-scale data going back 132 years, according to NOAA’s monthly U.S. climate summary issued on April 8. The crowning event was a two-week heat wave that smashed thousands of daily and monthly heat records at hundreds of locations around the country. March’s average 48-state temperature of 50.85 degrees Fahrenheit (10.47°C) came in ahead of the 50.40°F set in March 2012 – a month that itself featured an unprecedented March “warm wave.” The main difference was that March 2012’s warmth was centered toward the Midwest and Northeast, whereas the heat in 2026 was focused toward the Southwest. So even though the departures from average (anomalies) were comparable in both events, the hotter starting-point climate of the Southwest allowed readings to soar well above 90°F in many places and above 100°F in more than a few spots.

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).