November 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

Resilient Yantic Final Report Available

CIRCA partnered with the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG), the City of Norwich, the Towns of Franklin and Bozrah, and GZA to develop forward-looking adaptation strategies that help mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change–driven flooding along the Yantic River Corridor. The project provides implementable recommendations and actions to protect residents and businesses. To view the existing and future conditions analysis, concept designs, and final recommendations, click the Final report HERE.

CIRCA Resilient Connecticut Summit 2025

Weathering Change: Building Connecticut's Resilient Future

November 13, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: UConn Avery Point Campus, Branford House, 1080 Shennecossett Road,

Groton, CT 06340

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is hosting a one-day conference at the Branford House on UConn’s Avery Point campus in Groton. The event will feature updates from the Resilient Connecticut program and the Connecticut Climate Report, along with discussions on how Connecticut can better adapt to an evolving policy and funding landscape. Registration for the event is now closed as the event is sold out. View the event agenda HERE. Materials will be made available after the event on the Resilient Connecticut Website.

Announcements

DEEP Seeks Innovative Proposals for Energy Efficiency Investment to Lower Ratepayer Costs and Improve Grid Resilience

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Final Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking bids for electric and natural gas energy efficiency and demand response measures to improve grid resilience and lower costs for customers. Proposals may offer, but are not limited to, upgrades to make buildings and systems more efficient, such as insulation, heating and cooling system upgrades, building energy management systems, and smart devices. The RFP encourages performance contracting where a customer’s energy bill savings would exceed their costs for completing the energy upgrades. 

DEEP Announces Increased Incentive Levels For CHEAPR Program Effective October 1st



The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that the standard incentive level for the popular Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) program will be changing effective October 1, 2025. The CHEAPR program offers incentives to Connecticut residents who purchase or lease an eligible new or used battery electric (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicle from a licensed Connecticut automobile dealership or original equipment manufacturer.  

Grants

CT DEEP: Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program

Application Deadline: November 3

The Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) 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. Awards are granted to projects that offer the highest conservation and recreational value and that leverage the greatest percentage of private and municipal funding. The Department also accepts applications from distressed municipalities under the Urban Green and Community Garden Program.

Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund 2026 RFA

Letters of Intent Due: November 21, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. EST. 

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership among Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. The purpose of LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. Technical assistance will be provided through LISCIF and is available to communities/organizations even if one does not submit a proposal for funding.  This is the third round of LISCIF funding. Up to $1,200,000 in competitive funding will be awarded to support projects in New York and Connecticut. Project proposals must incorporate Actions of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).  

CT DEEP: Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant Program

Application Deadline: December 16, 2025

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is pleased to announce the new Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant Program. This funding is intended to support the planning and implementation of projects focused on coastal habitat restoration and green stormwater infrastructure across the state. There are two primary goals of the program: 1) to promote large-scale habitat restoration and enhance restoration planning, while also helping coastal communities and ecosystems adapt to changing environmental conditions; and 2) to further promote the application of green stormwater infrastructure techniques to reduce nonpoint source pollution, improving water resource quality.

CT DEEP: Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program

Application Deadline: December 17, 2025

The Department's Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program (UGCG) is available to distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and municipalities that are an environmental justice community. The program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public's use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.

DEEP's CT Recreational Trails Grants Program

Application Deadline: December 18, 2025

Established in 2015, per CGS Section 23-103, as amended by Public Act No. 15-190, to provide funding to any private nonprofit organizations, municipalities, state departments and tribal governments in support of trail projects. Grant amounts vary and will depend upon the availability of currently uncommitted state funds. Requests should be less than 1 million dollars. Grants can pay up to 80% of total project costs, a 20% match is required. 

New England Grassroots Environment Fund - Seed Grant Program

Application Deadline: Rolling

The Seed grant program is geared towards groups launching new projects or starting to significantly change the direction of an existing project. Most often, groups have been working on the project less than a year and usually don't yet have much direct experience with implementing the idea. Seed grants prioritize support for community groups who represent a broad range of voices in their community and who are not being reached by other funders. The Grassroots Fund interprets the word 'environment' broadly and provides funding for a wide range of activities. 

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.

EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia

Application Deadline: January 11, 2026

The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program will assist local waste management authorities by supporting improvements to local post-consumer materials management, including municipal recycling programs, and assisting local waste management authorities in making improvements to local waste management systems.

DEEP Climate Resilience Fund

Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is accepting applications for the next round of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund. DEEP is making available up to $44 million in state and federal funds to support planning, project advancement, and construction to help Connecticut’s communities build resilience to extreme weather. This opportunity is open to municipal governments, local public utilities, non-governmental organizations, Tribal nations, and other eligible entities. See the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for additional information on funding categories and eligibility. As part of this effort, DEEP also released a draft request for proposals to identify energy resilience projects that can reduce the likelihood and duration of occurrences of disruptive events.

2025 Yale Clean Energy Conference



November 6 - November 8

Location: Yale School of Management - 165 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511

A leading global forum for energy access, finance, technology, policy, and careers. Join hundreds of attendees from countless sectors, organizations, universities, and industries for this flagship event in New Haven, Connecticut. Get your ticket to the Conference and experience the keynotes, workshops, pitches, network building activities, and lively discussions for yourself!

DEEP Meeting of Commission on Environmental Standards

November 10, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Pursuant to Public Act 19-71, DEEP invites you to attend a meeting of the Commission on Environmental Standards on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10 AM. The meeting is to discuss issues associated with the 2019 and 2023 requests for proposals related to offshore wind power. The public will have an opportunity to make comments.

UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) - Mapping Water in CT, Part 3: Regional Stormwater Mapping Support: From MS4 to SB9 (PA 25-33)

November 13, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

In this final installment of a three-part webinar series on mapping water in CT, CLEAR will talk about WestCOG's experience providing mapping support to towns working to meet their obligations under the MS4 permit. They'll cover the logistics of mapping stormwater infrastructure, data structure, outputs, lessons learned, and how these efforts can carry forward into the culvert mapping requirements of Public Act 25-33. They'll also touch on ongoing MS4 coordination work being carried out by the regional Councils of Governments.

UConn Native Plants and Pollinators Conference

November 13, 8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Location: Student Union Ballroom (Room 330) 2100 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT

Join UConn's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources for an exciting day of presentations featuring current science-based research and information on supporting pollinators in managed landscapes. Learn how native plants support pollinator health throughout the year! This program is designed for growers and other green industry professionals, landscape service providers, landscape architects and designers, town commissions, municipalities, and home gardeners.

The Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions, Inc. (CACIWC) invites you to its 2025 Annual Meeting & Environmental Conference

November 15, Multiple Sessions

Location: Courtyard by Mariott Cromwell (4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell, CT 06416) 

The keynote speakers will present information on important emerging threats to our habitats and how to respond to these issues. Professor James O’Donnell, PhD will provide current climate and weather data, focusing on climate change and other factors that contribute to increased severe coastal and inland flooding events such as the August 2024 flooding in Oxford and the tragic Independence Day 2025 flooding in the hill country of Texas along with updated approaches to improving climate resilience. State Representative Mary Mushinsky will continue discussions on preparing for severe weather events and improving climate resilience by outlining the value of stream and river riparian areas including providing an update of her work as Co-Chairperson of the Connecticut General Assembly Environment Committee Working Group on Riparian Buffers.

Connecticut Association of Floodplain Managers Annual Conference 

November 20, 9:00 a.m. - 4:05 p.m.

Location: Central Connecticut State University Student Center, Alumni Hall (Rm. 126) 105 Ella Grasso Blvd, New Britain, CT 06053 Park in Student Center Parking Garage

Registration opens at 8:15 a.m.

The Connecticut Association of Flood Managers (CAFM) will convene its 12th Annual Conference and Meeting in person at the Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) Student Center.

MyCoast Connecticut 

Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG), the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT NERR) and the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) have partnered together to implement MyCoast as a pilot project in New London, Groton and Stonington. MyCoast is a tool for reporting coastal events such as storms, floods, and extreme high tides.

Free Climate Risk Mapping Tool for Connecticut Residents

Connecticut Insurance Department CID, in Collaboration with First Street Foundation, provides climate related risk mapping tool for Connecticut residents. This tool allows users to search Connecticut property addresses to view maps and reports that provide detailed property-specific climate risk assessments, particularly for flood, wildfire, extreme heat, and hurricane wind hazards.

Building Resilience in the Face of Extreme Climate

Yale School of Public Health - October 6, 2025

Researchers, community leaders, and public officials shared the latest evidence on climate risks, the challenges they pose to health, and solutions to better protect residents, especially those who face the greatest burdens, at the Connecticut Symposium on Climate and Health. The event was co-hosted by the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health (YCCCH) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) on September 10, 2025.

EPA’s Climate Rollback Squeezes States

E&E News - October 14, 2025

EPA’s plan to stop regulating tailpipe emissions forces states to make a choice: compensate by clamping down harder on pollution within their borders, or risk violating the Clean Air Act. That’s the message that state officials from around the country are relaying to EPA. In comments on the agency’s proposal, officials argued that a patchwork of state regulations would be more expensive and less effective than keeping federal rules that limit pollution from cars and trucks.

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).