DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate today announced changes to the Green Energy Fund grant program for Delmarva Power residential customers. Projects with contracts signed on or after Dec. 1 will see slightly reduced grants for customer-owned solar energy systems. Another change to the program is that grants will no longer be offered for systems installed using a lease/power purchase agreement (PPA) financing model.

In addition to the incentive changes, the program requirements are being streamlined based on comments received during stakeholder workshops. In response to stakeholder feedback, the energy audit requirement for existing non-residential construction has been removed from the program.

Projects will not be affected if the Green Energy Fund application was received by the Division of Energy & Climate before Dec. 1, or if the system contract was signed prior to that date.

“We review the grant levels for the Delmarva Power Green Energy Fund program periodically in response to changing market conditions to ensure that the program continues to be cost effective,” said Energy Program Administrator Robert Underwood, Division of Energy & Climate. “Because the economics of solar energy continue to get stronger, we have seen the market for solar energy in Delaware grow even as we have reduced incentives in recent years.”

Past and new incentives are shown in the table below.

New Green Energy Fund Incentives

The Green Energy Fund grant program is being updated following an analysis of the program, public comment, stakeholder workshops, consultation with the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility Oversight Board and a presentation before the Renewable Energy Taskforce. The Fund received a record-breaking number of applications in 2016. High program participation was factored into program changes, which are necessary for the Fund’s continued operation and sustainability. The Green Energy Fund supported more than 1,000 solar energy projects in Delaware in fiscal year 2016 alone.

Underwood added that the alterations will have a minimum impact on the solar market in Delaware. The analysis conducted by the Division of Energy & Climate considered the fiscal impact of the changes for both customer-owned and lease or PPA systems in terms of internal rate of return, net present value and payback period.

For more information, visit Green Energy Fund, or email Jessica Quinn with additional questions at Jessica.Quinn@delaware.gov, or call the Division of Energy & Climate at 302-735-3480.

Solar Energy in Delaware
Solar energy capacity in Delaware has increased more than 3,000 percent since 2008, from 2.3 MW to more than 77 MW of capacity. Solar energy installations across the state power homes, schools and businesses without producing the pollutants generated from fossil fuels that threaten our public health, air quality and vibrant natural resources. Renewable energy systems including solar energy allow Delawareans to achieve the quality of life they desire while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our environment. For more information on renewable energy in Delaware, visit de.gov/greenenergy.

Vol. 46, No. 412

-30-

Aimed at thwarting impacts of pollution from upwind states carrying into Delaware

DOVER – Delaware is taking action again to reduce detrimental impacts of poor air quality coming into the state from upwind sources, with DNREC seeking to have the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency find that the Homer City, Pa. Generating Station is emitting these air pollutants in violation of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA).

As with CAA 126(b) petitions filed last summer by DNREC against the Brunner Island power plant in York County, Pa., and the Harrison Power Station near Hayward, W. Va., the Department argues that Delaware’s air quality is often adversely affected by unhealthy ozone created from pollutants emitted in upwind states. DNREC contends that air pollution generated within these upwind states carries into and pollutes Delaware’s air, causing asthma, respiratory disease, and other public health problems for Delawareans, and also causes the state’s non-compliance with federal air quality standards – and will continue to cause these problems so long as sources such as the power plants petitioned against by DNREC continue emitting pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxide (NOx), without consistent use of modern anti-pollution controls.

In its petitions, DNREC has noted that more than 94 percent of the ozone levels in Delaware are created by the transport of air pollutants from upwind states – a stark contrast to what occurs within the state’s borders, where DNREC has worked with power producers and manufacturers and the public to sharply reduce Delaware’s own emissions.

“Yet again we are petitioning the EPA to act on the fact that our ability to achieve and maintain health-based air quality standards is severely impacted by sources outside of the state of Delaware,” DNREC Secretary David Small said. “Our position has been corroborated by EPA’s own modeling technology: That Pennsylvania and West Virginia and other states’ emissions significantly impact Delaware. We are petitioning EPA to reduce that impact and the associated health threats impacting Delawareans through harmful ozone that comes from outside our borders.”

As in the aftermath of each CAA 126(b) petition filed by DNREC, Sec. Small said that Delaware continues to assess the impact of other generating stations and power plants in the upwind states. The petition points out that the facilities cited for upwind air pollution manage to skirt EPA jurisdiction because some of the states do not have regulatory requirements for the power plants’ installing highly-effective NOx emissions controls, while still other upwind states do not require the facilities to consistently operate existing NOx controls at high levels of efficiency, and in this case states allow power plants to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements using long-term averaging of emissions that do not address the impact of transported pollution on the short term (8-hour) ozone standard.

Section 126(b) of the Clean Air Act requires that within 60 days after the EPA’s receipt of any petition (and after a public hearing), the EPA administrator will make such a finding as requested, requiring the Homer City Generating Station to limit short term NOx emissions to levels that are protective of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS in downwind areas such as Delaware, or will deny the petition.

Vol. 46, No. 397

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

-30-

Rebates encourage Delaware drivers and businesses toward environmentally-friendly, money-saving vehicles

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate today announced an extension of its popular Clean Transportation Incentive Program in response to Delawareans’ rising demand for cleaner fuel and electric vehicles. The current program will expire Oct. 31. Changes to the program – including updated rebate amounts and modified requirements – will apply to cars and equipment purchased on or after Nov. 1, 2016.

Encouraging drivers to choose clean, cost-effective cars
The 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 less or no tailpipe emissions, reducing both unhealthy pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.

The Clean Transportation Incentive Program offers rebates for the purchase or lease of alternative fuel vehicles and the charging stations needed to support electric vehicles. Highlights from the updated program include the following rebates:

• $3,500 for battery electric vehicles
• $1,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles with gasoline range extenders
• $1,500 for dedicated propane or natural gas vehicles
• $20,000 for heavy-duty dedicated natural gas trucks

“Drivers of electric, propane and natural gas vehicles save money on fuel and maintenance costs while knowing that they’re making an environmentally-responsible choice. The Clean Transportation Incentive Program was designed to make that choice easier,” said Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Planner Morgan Ellis, Division of Energy & Climate.

“Electric cars in particular are cheaper to power and don’t require the high maintenance of gas cars,” Ellis added. “Many people worry that electric cars are too expensive, but with their reduced operating costs and the rebates available through the Division of Energy & Climate, many electric vehicle drivers actually pay less over time than those who drive gasoline-powered cars.”

Rebate amounts vary based on the type and cost of the vehicle and/or equipment. In addition to state rebates, manufacturer rebates and federal funding opportunities and tax incentives also may be available.

Rebates are also available for electric vehicle charging stations. The program will provide a rebate for 50 percent of the cost of a residential charging station, and up to 75 percent of the cost of a charging station installed in a commercial area or workplace; price caps apply.

For more information, visit de.gov/cleantransportation, where full details on the updated program are posted.

Clean Transportation Incentive Program successful statewide
The Clean Transportation Incentive Program has been well-received across Delaware during its first 14 months. More than 225 Delawareans across all three counties have received rebates for electric vehicles – more than twice the program’s original target. In addition, seven businesses and organizations have received rebates for the addition of clean fuel vehicles to their fleets.

“The electric cars alone that have come through this program decrease the carbon dioxide emissions in our state by 900 tons each year,” said Climate Section Administrator Susan Love, Division of Energy & Climate. “In order to protect ourselves from the effects of climate change – including dangerous high temperatures and flooding – we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This program is an example of the tangible actions the state is taking to do that.”

The Division of Energy & Climate also awarded more than $1 million in grants to projects that will add at least 10 new electric car charging stations, three propane fueling stations for clean fuel school buses and a public compressed natural gas refilling station. These new projects add to the alternative fuel network within Delaware, which currently has about 50 public charging stations. Delaware is also working with neighboring states to build a comprehensive alternative fuel network within the region, so drivers can feel confident that they’ll always have somewhere to charge or fill up.

Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program is made possible through Delaware’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI is a market-based emissions trading program designed to reduce emissions from the electricity generation sector. 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. 340

-30-

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Air Quality planned to hold three public workshops this week to share information with Delawareans on climate change, the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) and how Delaware intends to comply with it, as well as advising the public on how to take advantage of related grants and other programs offered by DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate. The first two workshops – in Sussex County this evening and in Kent County tomorrow – will go on as planned, but a scheduling conflict has forced postponement of the New Castle County workshop originally set for Thursday, Sept. 29.

The workshops to be held as scheduled are:
• Sussex County: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, Millsboro Senior Center, 214 Irons Avenue, Millsboro, DE 19966
• Kent County: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28, City of Dover Public Library, 35 East Loockerman Street, Dover, DE 19901

Please note that DNREC will be rescheduling the New Castle County workshop that was to be held Thursday from 4:30 -7:30 p.m. at the Bellevue Community Center in Wilmington. The workshop will be held later at a date yet to be determined. DNREC regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and will announce the date for the rescheduled workshop as soon as it is determined.

For more information on the workshops, or to request accommodations for hearing impairment or language translation, please contact Valerie Gray, DNREC Division of Air Quality, at 302-739-9402 or email valerie.gray@delaware.gov.

Vol. 46, No. 351

-30-

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Air Quality will hold three public workshops later this month to share information with Delawareans on climate change, the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) and how Delaware plans to comply with it, as well as how to take advantage of grants and other programs offered by DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate.

Workshops will be held as follows, with one in each county:
• Sussex County: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, Millsboro Senior Center, 214 Irons Avenue, Millsboro, DE 19966
• Kent County: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 28, City of Dover Public Library, 35 East Loockerman Street, Dover, DE 19901
• New Castle County: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 29, Bellevue Community Center, 500 Duncan Road, Wilmington, DE 19809

“Through these workshops, we are inviting Delawareans to participate in the decision-making process and development of Delaware’s state Clean Power Plan,” said Valerie Gray, Division of Air Quality planning supervisor. “We want to involve our communities on how they could be impacted by this plan, and work together to develop strategies to further reduce emissions.”
“We’ll also share information on the state’s free weatherization assistance program, which has helped hundreds of Delawareans cut energy use in their home and lower their monthly bills,” said Rob Underwood, Division of Energy & Climate energy administrator. “We invite community members to come learn about the programs DNREC has dedicated to cleaner energy use for healthier communities.”

The workshops will be held in an open format, with DNREC staff available for individual discussions. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions, discuss the issues and share their concerns.

For more information on the workshops, or to request accommodations for hearing impairment or language translation, please contact Valerie Gray, DNREC Division of Air Quality, at 302-739-9402 or email valerie.gray@delaware.gov.

For information on Delaware’s Weatherization Assistance Program, visit de.gov/wap  or call the Division of Energy & Climate at 302-735-3480.

The Clean Power Plan (CPP) was developed by the EPA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. States are required to develop and submit their own Clean Power Plans for reducing these emissions to the EPA. EPA’s CPP is modeled after the Regional Greenhouse Gas initiative (RGGI), a program that Delaware and nine New England and Mid-Atlantic states developed and implemented beginning in 2009. RGGI reduces CO2 emissions by establishing a regional cap on the amount of CO2 that power plants can emit through the issuance of a limited number of tradable CO2 allowances. Since 2008, power plant emissions have decreased by over 50 percent. Delaware plans to comply with the federal requirements through continued participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). More information on the federal Clean Power Plan is available at https://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan, and on the RGGI program website at http://rggi.org/.

CONTACT: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 332

-30-