Latest news with #DepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtection
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Northeastern governors, Canadian leaders huddle in Boston to talk trade, tariffs and Trump
Intertwined. That's the one word that a gathering of northeastern governors and Canadian provincial leaders used over and over again as they described the interdependent web of trade, energy resources, and tourism that stretches across both sides of the border. They pointed to the automobile parts that hopscotch between the U.S. and Canada before they finally become a finished car; to the aluminum that provides the cans for Massachusetts' craft brewers; to the natural gas and oil that heat New Englanders' homes, and the tourists who book Airbnbs along Maine's coast. Each side depends on the other. And that relationship has been stressed by the Trump White House's aggressive tariff regime, the officials said. But that doesn't have to mean that it's broken irreparably. 'The northeast is open for business and open for trade,' Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who hosted the session, said. 'It was a sobering discussion this morning, a continuing discussion, for sure ... We want to show Canadians that America is open for business.' Read More: Undeterred by protests, Trump tells ICE to step up deportations in Democratic-run cities The meeting, dubbed 'Strong Partnership, Strong Future,' unfolded over about an hour early on Monday afternoon in the State Library on the State House's third floor. The leaders sat around a blue tablecloth-bedecked table, with state and provincial flags arrayed behind them. The message was unity and cooperation. Five out of the six New England states were represented on Monday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose state also shares a border with Canada, was at the table. Katie S. Dykes, the commissioner of Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, subbed in for Gov. Ned Lamont, who was repping the Nutmeg State at the Paris Air Show, she said. And despite initial reports that it would be sending someone, a representative for New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte was not present. The session on Beacon Hill came the same day that Trump arrived in Canada for the start of this week's G7 summit in the nation's Rockies. There, the chief mission appeared to be not riling up the excitable Republican president. The summit comes as the administration has hit several dozen nations with severe tariffs that risk a global economic slowdown. And the participants in Monday's session were watching closely. Even with the difficult economic talk, there were moments of comity for sure, as Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, and Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, stressed the generations of family ties that united their two states with Canada. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston fondly mentioned the Christmas tree that his province sends to Boston Common every year as a thank you for the city's assistance in the deadly Halifax explosion of 1917. But there was still the hothouse rhetoric of making Canada, one of the nation's biggest trading partners, the 51st state. They're still taking that personally. 'Leaders around the world that I have talked to are dumbfounded,' Ontario Premier Doug Ford said. 'They tell me, 'I can't believe the president is going after your country.'' Like Healey, Ford described Canada as the United States' closest friend and ally. But lurking beneath that famed northern friendliness was the same toughness that also sees Canadian hockey players throw nose-breaking elbows. In February, Ford ordered Ontario's government-run liquor stores to pull American booze from the shelves after Trump first announced his tariff scheme. And on Monday, Ford reminded his American friends that there's only one winner in a cross-border trade war: China. Other leaders were more subtle. 'It's an interesting time in the war for talent right now,' New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt mused. 'I'm not going to pretend that the folks in Canada don't see this as an opportunity to attract the best and brightest [from the U.S.].' And even as Healey rattled off the facts and figures showing the hit that New England's tourism industry has taken since Trump returned to power — a 20% drop from 2024 — the Canadians were sympathetic. To a point. 'It's challenging to us to hear from our colleagues that they are seeing a drop in tourism,' Holt observed. 'It means that someone at Hampton Beach (in New Hampshire) might lose their job. It means people in the U.S. are losing their jobs in tourism.' 'You have to make noise and tell your leader that you are hurting, that you are losing jobs. You have to speak up. Canadians can't do it for you.' But, she added, 'I can't tell Canadians to visit the U.S. right now.' Associated Press reports are included in this story. Federal funding loss will curtail Tech Hub programs in Holyoke Federal judge orders Trump admin to reinstate hundreds of NIH grants 'Awful, awful, awful': Polls show Trump's net approval is at its 'worst' Federal judge delays decision over Trump admin barring Harvard foreign students Trump administration considers adding 36 countries to travel ban Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CT towns granted over $180K for tree planting, invasive species removal. See if your town is on list
More than $180,000 in grant money has been awarded to support urban and community forestry projects in several Connecticut towns and cities, officials said. The state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the recipients of 2025 Urban and Community Forestry Planning and Urban Forested Natural Areas and Riparian Corridor Restoration grants. Over $184,000 will be granted to support 11 urban and community forestry projects in Bloomfield, Ellington, Mansfield, New London, North Stonington, Old Saybrook, Ridgefield, Stamford, and Stratford, according to officials. The grant money, distributed with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will help fund projects that protect and enhance urban and community forests, such as tree inventories, forest management plans, invasive species removal and native tree plantings, officials said. 'Urban forests contribute to livable cities and provide numerous benefits, including heat and pollution mitigation, stormwater management and improved health outcomes for residents,' said DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes. 'Urban trees can boost local business and support workforce development and have been linked to reductions in crime. The grants offered through DEEP's Urban and Community Forestry Program help communities in Connecticut access these benefits while also working toward meeting our state's statutory goal to increase urban tree canopy cover by 2040.' The grants ranged from under $10,000 to $20,000 for some communities. Among the 11 projects awarded funds are $21,000 for Mansfield to help hire a certified forester to inventory and develop a management plan for approximately 1,061 acres of town-owned forest across five ecologically significant parcels, officials said. Other projects include a $20,000 grant for Killingly to help support and manage invasive species after a timber harvest to ensure that native tree species are able to regenerate, maintaining a healthy and resilient forest stand. DEEP officials said that the Trees for Communities Grant Program, a new grant offered by the agency, is now accepting applications from Connecticut governmental entities and non-profit organizations. A total of $1 million is available for grants up to $200,000 each to support urban forestry projects that increase tree cover and protect trees in low-canopy, high-need communities. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, tree planting and maintenance, urban forest planning, workforce development, invasive species management and forest restoration. More information can be found on DEEP's Trees for Communities Grant Program webpage. A complete list of grant recipients, grant amounts, and project summaries are available on DEEP's Urban Forestry Grant Accomplishments webpage. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
These Connecticut bodies of water are closed due to bacteria levels
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Before you head to your favorite state park, lake, or beach, be sure to check if it's safe to swim. Every year, local health departments and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection monitor water quality at our beaches and lakes between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Dive into summer safely: Connecticut's efforts to raise awareness for child water safety Closures happen due to what experts call 'indicator bacteria.' While the bacteria don't cause disease, they are used to see if a lake, pond or beach could be contaminated. When bacteria reach unsafe levels, those bodies of water will be closed until further testing confirms it's safe again. Usually, subsequent testing happens after a few days. These are the bodies of water closed as of June 12: Calf Pasture, Norwalk Gay City State Park, Hebron Harbor View, Norwalk Hickory Bluff, Norwalk Lake Street, West Haven Morse Avenue, West Haven Norwalk Yacht Club, Norwalk Shady Beach Park, Norwalk Check with your local health department for the latest. DEEP also tracks closures online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bear conflicts with humans are rising in CT. One product is a popular choice for keeping them away.
As bear conflicts with humans are on the rise across Connecticut, bear self-defense products are popular items in outdoor recreation stores, as many residents plan to hike, camp, hunt and fish in the state this summer. The number of bear sightings reached 159 out of the state's 169 towns and cities last year, according to the 2025 'The State of the Bears,' an annual Department of Energy and Environmental Protection publication that tracks their growth. The yearly report, which was released in March, comes amid renewed interest in a black bear hunting season. DEEP officials said the black bear population remains stable, with between 1,000 and 1,200 bears, and has a high potential for growth due to 'an abundance of suitable habitat and excessive human-related food across their range.' 'Reports of entries to garages, screen porches and similar locations are often incorrectly reported as home entries, and totals change as staff investigate incidents,' DEEP said in the report. 'Dozens of attempted entries also took place. Many of these incidents occurred when bears pushed through screen doors and windows.' The number of serious conflicts involving bears is also on the rise, according to officials. Reports of home entries, livestock attacks, apiary and other agricultural damage, damage to vehicles and structures, as well as physical altercations with pets and people, are following a long-term upward trend. In 2024, Connecticut experienced two bear attacks on humans. Officials said bears are becoming less afraid of humans as they enter more urban areas due to habituation, a process through which a bear loses its fear of humans. Bird feeders, trash and food left around a yard can lead a bear to becoming less afraid of humans and more aggressive, according to DEEP Officials said they first recommend scaring away bears with loud noises through yelling or using whistles or air horns. Scaring a black bear can reinforce its natural fear of people and help keep it from lingering in neighborhoods and other areas where conflicts often arise. Effectively scaring a bear also reinforces the person as dominant in an encounter, so the bear learns to avoid people. In some cases, DEEP said loud noises are not effective at scaring away bears, especially ones that have already been habituated. Bears that are in urban areas and less afraid of humans, may not perceive loud noises as a threat. In these situations, DEEP officials say it can be more effective to use an object to make physical contact with the bear to drive it away. Throwing objects such as tennis balls, water balloons and small rocks at the bear can work, but using a paintball marker or slingshot can be more accurate and deliver more contact warnings in a short period of time, according to DEEP. Bear spray continues to be one of the more popular choices for those looking to defend themselves against bears without having to throw a physical object, according to DEEP. In Connecticut, it is illegal to shoot a bear using a firearm. Under Connecticut law, you can kill a bear in self-defense if you reasonably believe it's about to cause serious harm to you or someone else or if it's entering a building with people inside, according to DEEP officials. In addition, a bear may be killed if it is injuring or killing one's pet. But if a bear was shot and killed, it must be reported to DEEP, and law enforcement would investigate each case. If a bear is sprayed with bear spray it does not need to be reported, according to DEEP. Bear spray, while creating a temporary burning experience for the bear, is non-lethal and does not cause any permanent damage to the animal. DEEP said it recommends bear spray as a self-defense tool and does not recommend firearms. 'Using bear spray is an effective way to stop an attack by a black bear,' DEEP said. 'CT DEEP advises that if you decide to carry and use bear spray to defend yourself from a bear that you use it responsibly and according to the directions.' Bear spray contains a potent concentration of oleoresin capsicum, which is a highly concentrated oil extracted from hot peppers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bear spray also includes a propellant, typically a compressed gas, to push the mixture out of the canister. Standard pepper sprays have around one million SHUs, while bear sprays pack three million SHUs, so it's about three times as potent as human self-defense sprays. Bear spray typically has a range of 30-40 feet, while pepper spray's range is shorter, around 10-12 feet, according to the EPA. 'It's pretty popular, people are buying bear spray all year long,' said an unnamed employee at a popular outdoor recreation store in Connecticut. 'We definitely encourage folks who are going to be in the woods or on a trail to carry it with them. I can't say we're seeing an increase in sales, but it is frequently bought.' Bear spray is legal in all 50 U.S. states for self-defense against wildlife, including bears. However, misuse against humans can lead to legal consequences. The EPA said that bear spray should only be used in self-defense and as a last resort measure. Bear spray should never be used as a deterrent and sprayed on tents, objects or humans, as it can be dangerous and potentially lethal if inhaled. No one has died from using bear spray, according to the EPA. Several bear spray brands exist including Academy Sports, SABRE, and Counter Assault. Prices range from $30 to over $50 depending on size of the canister. Outdoor recreation stores including Cabela's, REI, and Bass Pro Shops sell bear spray at their Connecticut locations. More information on staying safe around black bears can be found at Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
CT boating registrations on decline since pandemic. Officials urge safety despite drop in fatalities
After a pandemic-fueled boating boom in 2021, the number of registered vessels in Connecticut is steadily declining. In 2021, amid the height of the pandemic, there were 93,074 registered vessels in Connecticut, according to data from the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Since then, those numbers have been steadily declining. In 2022, there were 91,161 registered vessels, and in 2023, there were 89,699 registered vessels filed with the state. Data for 2024 has been not been released yet. 'Last year we were right around 90,000 registered vessels, so we're seeing a bit of a stabilization now,' said Jacob Budris of the DEEP boating division. 'We did see a peak during the pandemic, but numbers have since gone back to about where we were pre-COVID. So what we're seeing is nothing out of the ordinary.' In Connecticut, all boats with motors — regardless of length — and all sailboats powered by sail alone — 19 1/2 feet or longer — must be registered before launching, according to officials. The bulk of registrations in 2023 were for recreational vessels with 89,172 along with 527 commercial vessels, according to data. Of that, 87,935 were motorized vessels and 1,237 were non-motorized vessels. In addition to being registered, all recreational boaters are required to have either a Safe Boating Certificate or a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation to operate a boat in Connecticut. A Safe Boating Certificate permits an individual to operate any recreational vessel, except for a personal watercraft, on Connecticut's waters. A Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation allows an individual to operate any recreational vessel, including a personal watercraft such as a jet ski. Budris said that as the number of registered vessels rose during the pandemic, so did the number of reportable boating incidents on the state's waterways. In 2020, there were 67 reportable boating incidents. In 2023, there was nearly half that number with 35. Officials said that more awareness around boating safety is partly due to the reduction in incidents. A boating incident is required to be reported to DEEP if the incident results in the death of any person, injury of a person who requires medical attention beyond first aid, if the incident totals damages is in excess of $500 or if the vessel is a total loss, officials said. Despite a decline in boating incidents, the state has experienced a rash of fatalities in recent years, with a peak of seven fatal boating incidents in 2022 resulting in nine fatalities. In 2022, a child died and three others were hospitalized when their boat capsized at Wyassup Lake in North Stonington. Also that month, two men died and two others were listed in critical condition after their boat capsized on Long Island Sound. In 2023, the number of fatalities fell slightly, to six fatal boating incidents resulting in seven deaths, according to state data. In the same year, there were four drowning fatalities reported, an increase from three in 2022. During the height of the state's boating boom in 2021, there were six drowning fatalities reported that year. Last year, boating fatalities declined with two fatal boating incidents occurring in Connecticut: One on Labor Day in Old Saybrook and another on Candlewood Lake in May. The Old Saybrook incident resulted in three deaths and six injuries after a boat crashed into a breakwall. In the Candlewood Lake incident, a 20-year-old woman died after being struck by a boat propeller. Despite the slight drop in fatalities, officials are stressing safety this summer. Budris said that alcohol impairment often plays a part in boating incidents and fatalities. Officials said that between 2018 and 2023, 21% of all fatalities on the state's waterways were due to alcohol impairment. Out of 285 reportable incidents in the same time period, 6% were deemed alcohol related, according to state data. 'We still are having a number of fatal incidents on our waterways,' Budris said. 'I can't stress safety enough this summer. It's the beginning of the season and a lot of people get really excited to get out on the water. Some people may launch their boats without going through their safety equipment. Before the season starts or even before you get on the water, make sure life jackets are ready to go and usable. Be sure safety equipment is not expired or damaged. The hope is you never have to use it, but it is really important in case you do. ' Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@
