ICYMI: Governor Carney Highlights $4 Billion Infrastructure Investment Plan

DOVER, Del.— Governor John Carney joined Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan on Monday to highlight infrastructure investments that will be made throughout the state as part of the FY20 – FY25 Capital Transportation Program. Currently, more than $3.2 billion in infrastructure work is planned for Delaware’s transportation network over the next six years. When including FY19 in the total, the investments total $4 billion.

Notable projects include the widening of SR 1 north and south from Route 273 to the Roth Bridge in New Castle County, the US 13 Camden Widening project in Kent County, and the SR 1 Minos Conaway Grade Separated Intersection in Sussex County.

“With these investments, we are modernizing our transportation system statewide,” said Governor Carney. “This is the kind of smart, infrastructure investment that will create jobs, alleviate congestion, and lead to real economic growth statewide. Thank you to members of the General Assembly for helping us fund these important investments.”

 
“While we have many large infrastructure projects scheduled around the state, we’ll are also investing more than $100 million in public transportation and rail, $80 million in road paving and rehabilitation projects, as well as $20 million in sidewalk improvements to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards,” added Secretary Cohan.

“Today’s announcement sends a clear to message to Delawareans: our state is growing and improving rapidly and all of us in state government are serious about making the kinds of infrastructure investments to support that growth,” said Senator Stephanie Hansen, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Our state prides itself in working together to get things done, and infrastructure is one of the key tests of how well a government functions. I think we are passing that test here and it will make for a safer, more efficient state and a stronger economy in the years and decades to come.”

“These infrastructure investments will impact communities throughout Delaware, creating jobs, easing congestion and improving the lives of Delawareans by fostering an efficient transportation system,” said Representative Ed Osienski, Chair of the House Transportation, Land Use and Infrastructure Committee. “These investments are substantial, and I look forward to seeing the continued progress.”

Each year, DelDOT develops a 6-year Capital Transportation Plan (CTP) that identifies anticipated capital investments. This plan is developed in cooperation with the Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO), Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Sussex County government. The plan provides information on the actual cost expenditures for each project phase that are anticipated in each specific fiscal year. The Council on Transportation provides final approval of the CTP by March 1st of the following year. For more information visit the DelDOT website.

Video from Monday’s event can be found here.

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DNREC encourages Delawareans to take action for National Weatherization Day Oct. 30

Please visit DNREC’s website for winter energy-saving checklist,
weatherization assistance program information for low-income families

DOVER – DNREC is encouraging Delawareans to mark National Weatherization Day, Tuesday Oct. 30, by taking action to weatherize their homes – which will help save energy, reduce their energy costs, and contribute to improving air quality by reducing their carbon footprint.

The logo for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control“Everyone can do simple things around their residence to help make their homes more comfortable during cold winter days, reduce the amount spent on heating costs, and do your part in reducing the carbon in our air that contributes to global warming,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “And, beyond that, for residents with bigger weatherization challenges, DNREC offers a weatherization assistance program for low-income families.”

Homes lose heat and energy in ways we often don’t notice, such as leaky windows or electric chargers that are left plugged in when they are not being used. Combined with our need to keep warm in the winter, this can mean higher energy use and more costly energy bills.

To help residents, especially homeowners, find easy ways to reduce their energy use and bills, DNREC’s Division of Climate Coastal & Energy has posted an online winter activity checklist. Most of the actions on this list are no-cost, and home improvements such as weather-stripping and foam socket covers cost less than $10 at your local hardware store. Many families have cut their energy bills by making basic energy efficiency upgrades or taking energy conservation measures. In addition, good energy habits are environmentally responsible and set a great example of conservation and stewardship for children.

Low-income homeowners and renters in Delaware can apply to the Division of Climate Coastal & Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program for an energy assessment of their homes and receive improvements such as weather-stripping, insulation, energy efficient light bulbs, and other energy-saving measures – all free of charge. To learn more about the program, visit http://de.gov/wap.

For more information on the Weatherization Assistance Program and other DNREC Division of Climate Coastal & Energy programs, visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/climate-coastal-energy/, or contact the Division of Climate Coastal & Energy at 302-735-3480.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 296

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DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation Observation Tower in Cape Henlopen State Park to undergo repairs beginning Nov. 5

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today that repair work will begin on Tower 7, also known as the Observation Tower, at Cape Henlopen State Park. The tower will be closed Monday, Nov. 5 – Monday, Dec. 31.

This is the second phase of planned repair work for the Observation Tower. Construction will include stair repairs and painting.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902


DNREC announces availability of Community Environmental Project Fund grant applications

Public workshops set for Nov. 14 and 15 on CEPF grant process and environmental project funding program

DOVER – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today announced the availability of Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) applications administered by the Department. The CEPF grant program was created in 2004 by House Bill 192, as legislation that enables DNREC to withhold 25 percent of all civil or administrative penalties collected by the Department as CEPF funds.

HB 192 requires that CEPF funds benefit communities where civil or administrative violations occurred, and provides for the restoration of these affected communities by funding environmental projects that:

  • Reduce pollution.
  • Enhance natural resources.
  • Enhance natural resources for the purposes of creating recreational opportunities for the citizens of Delaware.

IRS tax-exempt organizations are eligible for CEPF grants of up to $20,000. Applications for the CEPF grants can be found on the DNREC website, or can be obtained by calling James Brunswick, DNREC community ombudsman, at 302-739-9040. The CEPF grant application deadline is Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 by DNREC’s close of business (4:30 p.m.)

DNREC will hold two public workshops Nov. 14 and 15 on the CEPF grant-funding program, scheduled as follows:

  • New Castle County: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7-7:30 p.m., at DNREC’s Lukens Drive offices (Conference Room A, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720)
  • Kent and Sussex Counties: Thursday, Nov. 15, 7-7:30 p.m. DNREC Auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover DE 19901

Pre-registration is requested, but not required. Please email Lisa Myura or call 302-855-1915 to pre-register.

For an application form, and more information on the CEPF grant program, please visit the Community Environmental Project Fund web page.


Flags to half-staff for victims of shooting in Pittsburgh

Late last evening, President Trump ordered American flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on October 31, 2018 as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

In concurrence with the President’s order and as an expression of Delaware’s sympathy for the victims of the attack, Governor Carney has ordered both the U.S. and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff until the close of business on October 31, 2018.