DEEP launches 2025 DEEP Climate Resilience Fund

Press Releases 10/02/2025 DEEP launches 2025 DEEP Climate Resilience Fund Re-envisioned Fund will help communities plan and design comprehensive projects that protect against extreme weather events, including energy resilience and nature-based components; and provide a convenient "one-stop shop" approach to obtaining matching funds for resilience projects. DEEP Will Hold Webinar on DCRF and This Next Round of Funding October 3. (HARTFORD) - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is pleased to announce a call for applications and a draft Request for Proposals under an expanded DEEP Climate Resilience Fund. DEEP is making available up to $33 million in state funds and up to $11.8 million in federal funds for projects that protect communities and critical infrastructure from extreme weather. This opportunity 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. 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 is releasing the next round of the Climate Resilience Fund to assist communities navigating these changes to the federal funding landscape and continue developing projects that make Connecticut more resilient. Leveraging the expertise of staff across DEEP's environmental as well as energy programs, DEEP's "one-stop shop" is ready to assist communities as they pursue resilience planning and project implementation and assess what federal support might be available to them to maximize their dollars. "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. 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." The DCRF Notice of Funding Opportunity and draft Request for Proposals include funding categories intended to help build a pipeline of successful resilience projects statewide. DCRF will support resilience planning to help communities identify risks and potential solutions, and project advancement to fund the design work needed to transform plans into projects. DCRF also 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. Through this new deployment funding category, DEEP anticipates providing support for measures as diverse as flood control projects, climate-smart improvements to energy infrastructure and other community lifelines, wildfire prevention strategies, nature-based solutions for cooling urban centers, energy resilience measures, and other innovative resilience projects. "We are pleased to continue our partnership with DEEP to help communities reduce the risk of disasters and rebuild with resilience," DEMHS Deputy Commissioner Brenda 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." Previous DCRF-funded projects: In 2023, DEEP awarded $8.8 million in planning and advancement grants through the inaugural round of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund. These awards supported 21 innovative climate resilience plans and projects across 17 Connecticut municipalities and Councils of Government, including: $250,000 to the City of Bridgeport to conduct a comprehensive climate risk and vulnerability assessment, and develop a prioritized list of strategies, actions, and projects. $689,181 to the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments to develop and advance culvert replacement and drainage system improvement projects in nine municipalities to reduce stormwater flooding. $506,000 to the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority to conduct studies on street flooding and sewer back-ups in the Westville neighborhood, and identify and evaluate options for potential projects that include nature-based solutions. $250,000 to the Capitol Region Council of Governments to work with municipalities in the CRCOG region to conduct stormwater authority feasibility assessments. Previous Microgrid Grant and Loan Program projects: Since 2013, DEEP has awarded more than $22 million to 10 operational microgrids across the state. These projects support critical facilities like police stations, fire stations, municipal buildings, and hospitals during power outages. The new, comprehensive DCRF program will be open to microgrids as well as other energy resilience projects. This 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. Additional details on eligibility, funding categories, program priorities, and how to apply can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity and draft Request for Proposals. DEEP will be holding a webinar to provide an overview of this funding opportunity on October 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. as part of Governor Lamont's Sustainability and Resilience Week. Go here to register for the webinar: Webinar Registration - Zoom Written comments on the draft Request for Proposals may be submitted to [email protected] by October 21, 2025. For questions about this program, please email [email protected]. Twitter: @CTDEEPNews Facebook: DEEP on Facebook Contact DEEP Communications [email protected] 860-424-3110 Twitter Facebook Email Print