Wilmington’s Cab Calloway School of the Arts Crowned Junior Solar Sprint Champion

A team from Wilmington’s Cab Calloway School of the Arts won the annual Junior Solar Sprint competition held at Delaware State University. Left to right above, three members of the Cab Calloway team celebrate the school’s second straight Junior Solar Sprint Championship: Ashvin Sharma, Chetan Kasukurthi and Viraj Mehta. /DNREC photo

Middle School Students Build, Race Solar Vehicles

Cab Calloway School of the Arts from Wilmington accumulated the most points in combined design, portfolio and race competitions to earn first place in the 2024 Junior Solar Sprint held today on the campus of Delaware State University. Holy Cross School of Dover came second in the competitions, while Sussex Montessori School of Seaford was third.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) teams up with the Delaware Technology Student Association (TSA) for the event each year. Students in grades 5 through 8 work with classmates and teacher advisors over several months to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels.

“We are proud to partner with the TSA to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through the annual Junior Solar Sprint,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Expectations are high for the competitors each year, and students once again rose to the occasion in their creativity, teamwork and head-to-head race competition.”

Dayna Cobb, Director of DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, said the annual Junior Solar Sprint is an event the Division looks forward to hosting each year. “Climate change is pushing the state, nation and world to find solutions by developing clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere,” she said. “The Junior Solar Sprint demonstrates how, by working together, we can achieve positive results in tackling the environmental challenges we face today, and which we will continue to face in the future.”

Students received points for project portfolios, overall design and fastest speed in a timed competition. The team accumulating the most points wins. TSA-affiliated teams also can earn the opportunity to represent Delaware against other students from around the country in the national TSA conference, which is being held in Orlando, Florida in June.

Teams from five Delaware schools participated in the 2024 competition, including Las Americas ASPIRA Academy, Newark; Cab Calloway School of the Arts; Holy Cross School; May B. Leasure Elementary School, Newark; and Sussex Montessori School.

Competition results:

The all-around winners for combined speed, design and portfolio presentations were:

1^st place: Team #2, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee, Viraj Mehta and Ashvin Sharma from Cab Calloway School of the Arts;
2^nd place: Team #10, Kehllan Thomas, Luke Curley, Gavin Reed and Sam Shevok from Holy Cross School
3^rdplace: Team #7, Brayden Nichols, Joellen Reinke and Liam Cannon from Sussex Montessori School

Top results from the double elimination races were:

1^st place: Team #7, Brayden Nichols, Joellen Reinke and Liam Cannon from Sussex Montessori School
2^nd place: Team #2, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee, Viraj Mehta and Ashvin Sharma from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
3^rd place: Team #10, Kehllan Thomas, Luke Curley, Gavin Reed and Sam Shevok from Holy Cross School

Top results from the design competition were:

1^st place, Team #8, Cadence Wahl and Keira Clarke from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy;
2^nd place, Team #10, Kehllan Thomas, Luke Curley, Gavin Reed and Sam Shevok from Holy Cross School;
3^rd place, Team #6, Rhys Scott, Portia Jalloh, Nypha Gatimu and Sakari Watson from May B. Leasure Elementary School.

Top results from the portfolio competition were:

1^st place: Team #2, Chetan Kasukurthi, Vedic Mukherjee, Viraj Mehta and Ashvin Sharma from Cab Calloway School of the Arts;
2^nd place: Team #6, Rhys Scott, Portia Jalloh, Nypha Gatimu and Sakari Watson from May B. Leasure Elementary School;
3^rd. place: Team #8, Cadence Wahl and Keira Clarke from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy.

Visit de.gov/solarsprint for more information on the Junior Solar Sprint.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Delaware Advances Toward 1 Million Tree Planting Goal

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, left, works with a colleague to plant another tree in the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative whose goal is to get 1 million trees planted in the First State by 2023 /DNREC photo

Seven New Projects Will Add 35,000 Trees to Take Total Planted Thus Far into the Initiative Beyond 200,000 by End of 2024

The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) is making significant progress toward the goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030. The initiative has awarded funding to seven new projects, which will push the total count beyond 200,000 trees this year.

Through TEDI, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service works with conservation partners to enhance and support tree-planting projects throughout the state.

“Along with transitioning to clean energy sources, increased energy efficiency and clean transportation initiatives, TEDI is a key component of Delaware’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Trees improve air and water quality, preserve soil and support wildlife, and they play a critical role in helping to fight climate change.”

The seven newly funded projects, which were selected from among 15 applications, will receive a combined $238,500 for planting 35,000 trees.

The projects that received funding are located throughout the state of Delaware, from Frankford to Wilmington. They involve a range of organizations, including nonprofits, towns and schools. Project recipients and project locations include:

Center for the Inland Bays in Georgetown and Lewes
City of Newark along the Pomeroy Trail bike path
Delaware Interfaith Power and Light for planting in Newark and Wilmington
Delaware Technical Community College across its campuses
Delaware Wild Lands in Middletown and Frankford
St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Middletown
Village of Ardencroft for planting in New Castle County

In fiscal year 2023, a total of 10,845 trees were planted on approximately 27 acres using TEDI funds. The 2023 TEDI annual report can be found on the DNREC website.

Additional funding opportunities, as well as a list of nurseries that carry native trees, tips on tree care, and a TEDI tree tracker can be found by visiting de.gov/tedi. Delawareans can help TEDI reach its goal by adding details about newly planted trees on their property into the tracker.

Media Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Governor’s Energy Advisory Council Sets Public Input Sessions to Highlight, Get Feedback on State Energy Plan

The public input sessions for the State Energy Plan will provide opportunities for interacting with DNREC State Energy Office staff and commenting on the plan. /DNREC photo

Delawareans will have the opportunity to learn about the State Energy Plan, offer input for it, and to become better informed about existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs at a series of public input sessions planned in November by the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council (GEAC).

The GEAC is tasked with providing recommendations to the State Energy Office within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on the latest update to the Energy Plan. Since June, GEAC workgroups have been focused on learning about where Delaware currently stands, where the state needs to go, and how best to get there in working to reduce carbon emissions.

The GEAC public input sessions, one for each county, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on the dates and at locations below:

Wednesday, Nov. 1, Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover;
Monday, Nov. 6, Route 9 Library & Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle;
Wednesday Nov. 15, Cheer Community Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown.

GEAC chairperson Ed Kee said the goal of the public input sessions is to obtain Delawareans’ input on a wide range of energy issues. Those issues, he said, are reflected by the council’s four work groups: Grid Modernization, Energy Efficiency & Electrification, Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies, and Environmental Justice and Energy Equity.

“The format for the meetings will not be the standard public comment process, but rather specific discussion and conversations on the work group topics,” Kee said. “These conversations will run concurrently in different groups.”

Anyone wanting to attend, Kee said, can drop in at any time during the two-hour meetings to browse the displays, talk to DNREC State Energy Office staff, and offer input on some of the proposals that are under consideration.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin said gathering input from communities is essential to the continuing development of the State Energy Plan. “As we work toward reducing the greenhouse gases that are driving climate change, the transition to clean energy sources, energy efficiency and grid stability will be key components to our success,” he said.

Ensuring equity in any proposals for the State Energy Plan is also essential, Secretary Garvin said, noting that DNREC’s Environmental Justice team will be at each of the three upcoming meetings to present the Department’s EJ mapping tool, and to show how it is helping to bring traditionally underserved or underrepresented Delaware communities to the table.

As GEAC chair, Kee said the council’s hope is for wide public participation in each of the meetings. “Any Delawarean interested in or concerned about the future of in our state’s energy systems is welcome to express their views and concerns,” he said. “No doubt it will be a learning experience for all.”

Governor Carney Signs Multiple Pieces of Environmental Legislation

Legislation Builds on Coordinated, Statewide Action to Fight Climate Change

BEAR, Del. – Governor Carney joined members of the General Assembly, members of his Cabinet, and advocates on Thursday to sign multiple pieces of legislation aimed at tackling climate change in Delaware.

This work builds off of the decades of effort by various state agencies who have been prioritizing Delaware’s climate. In 2021, Governor Carney developed a Climate Action Plan aiming to reduce emissions and increase resilience. With the help of multiple state agencies, Governor Carney’s administration is implementing these recommendations and building a more sustainable future for Delaware.

“Climate change threatens our tourism industry, our agricultural industry, the health of our citizens, and the financial well-being of our local, county and state governments,” said Governor Carney. “There’s no time to wait to take action. I want to thank the advocates and members of the General Assembly for their dedicated work to preserving our natural heritage and building on the great work of state agencies as they follow Delaware’s Climate Action Plan.”

Learn more about Delaware’s Climate Action Plan on DNREC’s website.

“Achieving a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050 are ambitious but attainable goals,” said Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “We have been working for years transitioning to cleaner energy sources in our homes, businesses and transportation systems, and we have seen positive progress. Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, released in November 2021, provided additional strategies and actions, and it serves as our playbook for both reducing emissions and for increasing our resiliency to the impacts of climate change that we are already witnessing.”

The pieces of legislation signed on Thursday will:

House Bill 99: Lays out targets to reduce net emissions by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
House Bill 10: Sets targets for purchasing electric school buses.
House Bill 11: Ensures large commercial buildings are equipped for solar installation.
House Bill 12: Expands the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
SS 1 for Senate Bill 103: Amends Delaware code to make it easier to bring EV chargers into residential areas.
Senate Bill 170: Commitment to study offshore wind with neighboring states and PJM.
SS 1 for Senate Bill 7: Expands the Delaware State Energy Office.

“Today is about taking necessary action to protect our children’s futures. The climate crisis is here, and it is already impacting our health, our livelihoods, and our way of life. I am grateful to Governor Carney and leaders in the General Assembly for rising to this moment so that we can preserve our shorelines and our coastal communities and limit the health impacts of climate change, which disproportionately affect our most vulnerable residents. We know the work continues, but today Delaware is making meaningful progress to protect our environment and our quality of life for future generations,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long.

“As a low-lying coastal state, Delaware is especially vulnerable to the devastating and life-altering impacts of climate change. Because of this, we have an urgent responsibility to confront this challenge head-on and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future,” said House Speaker Valerie Longhurst. “With the bills that Governor Carney signed into law today, we’re taking a critical step towards this goal and positioning Delaware as a leader in green energy innovation and sustainability. I commend my colleagues for their hard work on these important measures and I’m looking forward to our continued work in the ongoing fight against climate change.”

“Delaware has made incredible progress in setting realistic and attainable goals to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, minimize our greenhouse gas emissions, and move our state to clean and sustainable energy sources,” said State Senator Stephanie Hansen. “In just the last few years, we have set new renewable portfolio standards for our utilities to follow, adopted a statewide climate action plan, promoted the adoption of electric vehicles, and created new avenues for historically disadvantaged communities to reap the benefits of solar power,” she said. “Just as greenhouse gases pose a threat to our entire state by contributing to rising sea levels and worsening air quality, it’s going to take a whole-of-government approach to reverse the long-term harm caused by decades of reliance on fossil fuels. The bills signed into law today mark a significant step forward in that effort and I am grateful to the many legislators and advocates who worked so hard to get us to this point.”

“Senate Bill 103 is a responsible step forward that will enhance Delaware’s infrastructure and reduce costs for working families as the U.S. auto market continues transitioning to electric vehicles,” said State Senator Sarah McBride. “By requiring electric vehicle charging conduits to be included in new home construction and elsewhere, we are helping to prepare our neighbors for this impending market shift, encouraging our communities to adopt cleaner modes of transportation, and further reducing Delaware’s reliance on fossil fuels. This is good public policy for families, our environment and our state, and I want to thank Governor John Carney for signing it into law today.”

“We can no longer sit passively and pretend that no-action is the best way to protect the planet’s future. Humankind has contributed detrimentally to the environment and it’s time we own our responsibility to address the issue,” said State Representative Debra Heffernan. “We worked collaboratively with environmental leaders, various stakeholders and officials to craft an ambitious group of bills that will fight climate change and protect our portion of this fragile planet. Through hard work, we’re here now to celebrate the passage of several of these bills, and I’m committed to introducing and passing more legislation in the upcoming session. Thank you to all who invested their time, expertise and support to this effort – we couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Combating the catastrophic effects of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can’t be accomplished with one bill or one solution. It requires several ideas coming together for one purpose. Today we celebrate a series of bills that together help Delaware reduce carbon emissions,” said State Representative Sophie Phillips. “My HB 12 will help make electric vehicles more affordable to middle-class families who want a cleaner environment and to save money at the pump. I’m looking forward to continuing our work next year with more legislation to protect our environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.”

“I want to thank all the legislators and the Governor’s office for a tremendous amount of work and support for this legislative package, including the Climate Change Solution Act of 2023,” said Dustyn Thompson, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club Delaware Chapter. “I think the amount of support we saw this year is indicative of the moment we are in right now. These elected officials understand that our state is reaching the brink where if we do not take decisive and meaningful action we will be forfeiting the future of so many generations yet to come. While this is just the beginning, I think we will look back at this moment and recognize that this is when we gave ourselves the tools we need to fight back against a rapidly changing climate and ready our state for the impacts we are no longer able to avoid.”

“Climate change and rising seas are an existential threat to Delaware. With the signing of House Bill 99 and the accompanying bill package, we take a step forward in envisioning a more sustainable future for Delaware’s human and natural communities,” said Lori Brennan, Executive Director of the Nature Conservancy Delaware and Pennsylvania. “Thank you, Governor Carney, Senator Hansen, Reps. Longhurst, Heffernan and Phillips, DNREC staff, the bill sponsors and the environmental community for the continued work on behalf of the environment and the natural spaces we cherish.”

Video from today’s press conference can be found on Governor Carney’s YouTube channel.

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DNREC Supports 2023 Youth Environmental Summit for Delaware High School Students on March 2

The 4th annual YES! Summit will be held March 2, with DNREC again a lead sponsor of the event and staff on hand to interact with high school students about environmental issues and careers. Student registration is open through Feb. 24. Above, students show off reusable DNREC bags and swag from last year’s YES! Summit. DNREC photo.

On March 2, more than 450 Delaware high school students are expected to gather in Newark for the fourth annual Delaware Youth Environmental Summit (YES!) to learn more about today’s top environmental issues and challenges, and to network with their peers and guest speakers. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is a fourth-year sponsor of the event, which includes keynote speaker Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and presentations by DNREC staff.

The student-led conference will be held at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall Conference Center in Newark and is offered free of charge, with lunch included, for Delaware high school students and educators who are advisors to school teams. Preregistration is open now through Friday, Feb. 24 at DelawareYES.org. Attendance is limited.

“Many of today’s young people are stepping up to take leading roles as environmental advocates for the health and future of our planet as we gather together to take on the challenge of climate change,” said Secretary Garvin. “DNREC has proudly supported YES! since its inception in 2020. We encourage Delaware’s up-and-coming environmental stewards to attend this year’s YES! summit and learn more about today’s key environmental issues such as environmental justice, and to make their voices heard as they seek a seat at the table determining their future.”

Planned by students, YES! aims to inspire youth-led action and environmental leadership through keynote speakers, more than two dozen breakout workshops, and nonprofit and agency exhibitors. In addition to Secretary Garvin, guests and speakers include U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Governor John Carney, members of the General Assembly, and Nessy Cherazard, a 15-year-old environmental activist currently in her senior year at Sussex Technical High School. This year’s topics include green schools, electric school buses, food waste, climate change, wildlife and hunting conservation, clean water, STEM, sustainability, plastic pollution/zero waste, green careers and college majors, beekeeping, clean energy and advocacy.

“As a youth summit leader, I’m exceptionally proud of the summit we created this year for Delaware students by Delaware students,” said Nitya Patel, the summit’s 2023 student coordinator. “Our generation is disproportionately impacted by climate change, and it’s time to act!”

YES! was created by a coalition of representatives from educators at Delaware schools, non-profit environmental organizations, and public agencies to provide the opportunity for teens to meet, learn and share their ideas on environmental issues of concern and to develop action plans for their schools and communities. The inaugural conference in February 2020 was attended by student teams from more than 20 Delaware schools representing all three counties and more than 270 students. In 2021, a virtual summit was held with more than 30 Delaware high schools represented. More than 350 students from 18 Delaware high schools from across the state were represented in 2022.

DNREC Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

YES! Media Contact: Dee Durham, CEO Plastic Free Delaware, deedurham@dca.net, 302-981-1950