Clean Transportation Incentive Program relaunch features updated rebates for clean fuel vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations

DOVER – DNREC’s revamped Delaware Clean Transportation Incentive Program takes effect this week, offering higher rebates for drivers of battery electric vehicles – vehicles which run solely on batteries, using no other fuels – and adjusted rebates for other clean fuel vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations. Updated rebate amounts will apply only to vehicles and equipment purchased on or after Nov. 1, 2016. DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate has extended the program following its resounding success throughout the state.

More than 250 Delawareans across all three counties have received rebates for battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars since the program was launched in July 2015. The program’s initial goal of 100 electric vehicle rebates over a year and a half was surpassed in just six months.

The new program offers $3,500 rebates for most battery electric vehicles, and $1500 for plug-in hybrid electric, propane and natural gas vehicles. Rebates are also available for home, public and workplace electric vehicle charging stations. Individuals, businesses and workplaces are encouraged to participate.

“Businesses and residents throughout Delaware are seeing the benefits of electric and clean fuel vehicles, from economic savings to cleaner air,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “When businesses transition to electric and clean fuel vehicles, they reduce operating and maintenance costs. When residents can drive from place to place with fewer polluting emissions, Delaware has a healthier and safer environment. We all win.”

The updated program also places a stronger emphasis on commercial and workplace electric vehicle charging stations by covering up to 75 percent of the equipment cost (price caps apply).

“Adding an electric vehicle charging station to a business or workplace can attract positive attention and customers, while supporting employees who drive electric vehicles,” said Susan Love, Climate Section administrator, Division of Energy & Climate. “Drivers need to feel comfortable that they’ll always have somewhere to charge up. Your business can be a part of that solution – and customers can shop, eat or stop in while their car charges. This is also a great option for towns and downtown districts looking to spur economic activity.”

The Division of Energy & Climate is working with partners throughout the state on projects that will add at least 10 new electric car charging stations, three propane fueling stations for clean fuel school buses and a public access compressed natural gas refilling station. These new projects bolster the alternative fuel network within Delaware, which currently has about 50 public electric vehicle charging stations, eight propane stations and one compressed natural gas station. Delaware is also working with neighboring states to build a comprehensive alternative fuel network within the region.

For more information about the Delaware Clean Transportation Incentive Program, or to download an application, visit de.gov/cleantransportation.

About the Clean Transportation Incentive Program
Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program was launched in July 2015 to encourage Delaware drivers and businesses to purchase and lease alternative fuel vehicles, including vehicles that run on propane, natural gas and electricity. Alternative fuel vehicles produce fewer or no tailpipe emissions, reducing both pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. The program is made possible through Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional market-based emissions cap and trade program. Delaware’s proceeds from RGGI are invested in energy efficiency, renewable energy, emissions reductions programs and programs that benefit energy consumers. In addition to providing funds, RGGI encourages innovation, growing a clean energy economy and creating green jobs.

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

Vol. 46, No. 370

DOVER – To promote and provide additional hunting opportunities, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has designated Saturday, Nov. 5 as Delaware’s annual deer hunting day for youth hunters ages 10 through 15 and for non-ambulatory disabled hunters on both public and private lands statewide.

Youth hunters must be of sufficient physical size and strength to safely handle a firearm and must be accompanied by an adult companion age 21 or older who possesses a valid Delaware hunting license or is legally exempt from purchasing a license. Youth hunters may also hunt during the regular seasons for all game if accompanied afield by an adult. Youth hunters age 13 through 15 must have completed a hunter education course, possess a certification card and purchase a Delaware junior hunting license. Youth hunters age 10 through 12 must possess a license exempt number and may take hunter education.

“Youth hunting days are an excellent opportunity for veteran adult hunters to share their knowledge and experience with the next generation, thereby continuing one of Delaware’s great conservation and outdoor recreation traditions,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “Hunting is an exciting outdoor activity for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.”

In addition to youth hunters, non-ambulatory disabled hunters of any age who use a wheelchair for mobility may hunt deer Nov. 5.

Standard bag limits and regulations apply, and all deer taken must be registered. On state wildlife areas that require a lottery drawing for available deer stands during the Nov. 5 hunt, the drawing will be held 2 hours before sunrise. To sign up for the lottery, participating hunters should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the drawing. Hunters also should check each wildlife area’s rules before hunting. Adult companions accompanying participating youth must be licensed or license-exempt to hunt in Delaware, and may not possess a firearm during the hunt.

Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges, under the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Delaware State Forests, managed by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, are also open to youth and non-ambulatory disabled hunters for the annual deer hunt. For specific rules and regulations on these areas, interested hunters should check with the appropriate managing agency.

Delaware hunting licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. Hunters not required to purchase a hunting license may obtain their license exempt number by visiting the Hunter and Trapper Registration System website or by calling 1-855-DEL-HUNT (1-855-335-4868).

To promote youth hunting, deer stand fees are waived for youth hunting on state wildlife areas on youth hunting days. These daily stand fees apply at all other times. Specialized blinds/stands and hunting locations as well as special hunting permits also are available for disabled hunters. For more information, call 302-739-9912.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2016-2017 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and from license agents throughout the state. For information on specific wildlife areas, click Delaware Wildlife Area Maps. Printed maps also are available at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk.

The Division of Fish & Wildlife also reminds hunters to take along their cameras for a great opportunity to take photos that might be entered in the Division’s annual Delaware Hunting Photo Contest, with the winner to be published in next year’s Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. Deadline for contest entries is Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. Information and forms are available on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website or may be requested by calling Jennifer Childears at 302-739-9910, or email jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

This program is part of Delaware’s Children in Nature Initiative, a statewide effort to improve environmental literacy in Delaware, create opportunities for children to participate in enriching outdoor experiences, combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. Delaware’s multi-agency initiative, which partners state and federal agencies with community organizations, is part of the national No Child Left Inside program.

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

Vol. 46, No. 369

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DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 15 on several wastewater projects proposed by the City of Rehoboth Beach, including the city’s ocean outfall. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Rehoboth Elementary School, 500 Stockley Street, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Rehoboth’s proposed wastewater projects include a pump station, a force main and an ocean outfall. The new pump station and a 24-inch force main are required to convey the treated wastewater to the ocean outfall and through diffusers located 6,000 feet offshore in water approximately 40 feet deep.

These proposed projects require several DNREC permits and approvals, including a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, a Coastal Zone Management Act Federal Consistency Determination, a Subaqueous Lands Lease, Water Quality Certification, a Wastewater Facilities Construction Permit, and a Beach Preservation Coastal Construction Permit. Rehoboth’s permit applications and supporting documents, and a fact sheet and a draft NPDES permit are available on DNREC’s website.

The public hearing will receive comments from public speakers, with priority given to those who have preregistered followed by other speakers who choose to sign up at the public hearing. To preregister to speak at the hearing, please contact DNREC by e-mail or first class mail no later than Nov. 11 by Rehoboth_Wastewater_Comments@delaware.gov or via US Postal Service to:

John Schneider, DNREC
State Street Commons
100 W. Water Street – Suite 10B
Dover, DE 19904

As DNREC anticipates a large number of speakers, the Department accordingly will impose a five-minute time limit on each speaker. If you are unable or choose not to attend the public hearing, you may submit written comments in advance that will become part of the record. Written comments should be sent to the above contact addresses, preferably by email to Rehoboth_Wastewater_Comments@delaware.gov. The public comment period for written comments on the proposed City of Rehoboth wastewater projects began Oct. 15 and will end at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2016. If comments are submitted by USPS, they must be postmarked no later than Dec.2, 2016.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902, or John Schneider, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, 302-739-9939

Vol. 46, No. 368

Entries to be accepted now through Jan. 31

DOVER – With many of Delaware’s fall hunting seasons underway, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife invites you to enter your hunting photographs taken while afield in the 2016/17 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest. The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside of the 2017/18 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide to be published next year.

A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Hunting with Family or Friends.” Judges also will look at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.

“The hunting photo contest is a great chance to showcase and share adventures with other hunters,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “The theme helps reinforce and capture the fun of a shared outdoor hunting experience.”

The contest is open to all Delaware residents, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware. Portrait orientation is preferred; landscape photos, if chosen among contest winners, may be cropped for presentation.

Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Photo Contest, Attention: Jennifer Childears, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, and must include a completed and signed entry form. A photo release form is also required for photos that include images of children younger than 18. Information and forms are available on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website or may be requested by calling Jennifer Childears at 302-739-9910, or email jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

Photographs must be submitted as 8×10-inch photo quality prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Winning entries must be available in a digital version with resolution of 300 dpi or greater (when enlarged to 8×10 inches).

Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away. The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned. For more information, please visit the Fish & Wildlife photo contest page on the DNREC website.

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

Vol. 46, No. 367

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DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances will conduct a public hearing on Delaware’s proposed Universal Recycling Regulations Monday, Nov. 21 starting at 4 p.m. in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway SW, Dover, DE 19901.

Purposes of the proposed Universal Recycling Regulations are to ensure:

• that the proper programs and collection services for recyclable materials are implemented, maintained, and consistent with the law;
• that the collected recycled materials are diverted from landfill disposal or incineration;
• that the recyclable materials are otherwise properly processed and enter the marketplace;
• that recycling in Delaware can be effectively measured; and
• that waste diversion is maximized through the reduction of solid waste deposited in the state’s landfills.

The proposed Universal Recycling Regulations can be found on DNREC’s website or viewed at DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway SW, Dover, DE 19901. For more information or to obtain a copy of the proposed regulations, please contact Don Long of DNREC’s Recycling Team and the Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Section at 302-739-9403 (ext . 8) or email donald.long@delaware.gov.

The public comment period on the proposed Universal Recycling Regulations opened Tuesday, Nov. 1. Anyone may submit comments in writing on the proposed regulations by 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, you may still submit written public comments. It is requested that those interested in presenting statements at the public hearing register in advance by Nov. 18, and that statements and written comments on the proposed recycling regulations be addressed to: Robert Haynes, Esq., Hearing Officer, DNREC, 89 Kings Highway SW, Dover, DE. 19901, or email Robert.Haynes@delaware.gov.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 367