After several Connecticut energy projects were scrapped by President Donald Trump’s administration, the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will give a major increase to its Climate Resilience Fund in response to the ongoing government shutdown and uncertainty over federal funding.
DEEP officials say they are now taking applications and requests for proposals under an expanded fund program aimed at various climate resilience projects throughout the state.
The Connecticut Community Climate Resilience Program was established by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2021. The fund distributed its first awards in 2023, with $8.8 million going towards 17 municipalities climate resilience plans and projects.
This year, DEEP is making up to $33 million in state funds available and up to $11.8 million in federal funds for projects that protect communities and critical infrastructure from extreme weather. The funding is open to municipalities, non-profit organizations and other entities, and includes new funding categories that will support a wide range of community and energy resilience projects, according to DEEP.
“In recent years, Connecticut has experienced widespread impacts from extreme weather, including historic flooding in the Naugatuck Valley, unprecedented wildfires and the hottest summer weather on record. These climate-driven hazards have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to homes, roads, bridges and businesses. Connecticut’s communities have endured these recent challenges from extreme weather just as federal support for resilience is becoming less certain,” DEEP said in a statement
The fund includes a new category for project deployment that will provide direct and matching funds for construction of community and energy resilience projects, expanding upon DEEP’s prior Microgrid Grant and Loan Program, the agency said.
Through this new deployment funding category, DEEP anticipates providing support for measures as diverse as flood control projects, climate-smart improvements to energy infrastructure, wildfire prevention strategies, nature-based solutions for cooling urban centers, energy resilience measures and other innovative resilience projects.
“The 2025 DEEP Climate Resilience Fund builds on DEEP’s strong track record of investing in community resilience, from microgrids to flood mitigation projects, with a comprehensive approach that includes energy resilience and nature-based solutions,” DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes said.
“With climate change accelerating and traditional federal financial support uncertain, it’s more important than ever to help municipalities access every possible option for matching funds for resilience projects,” she added. “The DCRF’s ‘single-front’ door approach is intended to do just that, making it easier for municipalities to seek project deployment funds for projects that will protect communities from floods, heat waves, power outages, and other extreme weather events.”
Brenda Bergeron, deputy commissioner at the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, said that the fund can help alleviate uncertainty on projects relying on federal dollars.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with DEEP to help communities reduce the risk of disasters and rebuild with resilience,” Bergeron said. “We look forward to encouraging communities who need matching funds for federal grants to apply to DEEP’s new matching funds program, which will help communities better navigate the current uncertainty in the federal funding landscape and successfully compete for funding.”
The current round of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund is open to municipal governments, local public utilities, non-profit organizations, state and federally recognized tribal nations and other entities, according to the agency. Additional details on eligibility, funding categories, program priorities, and how to apply can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected].
