Public Advocate Calls on White House to Deny Subsidies for Coal and Nuclear Plants

Dover, Del. – Delaware’s Public Advocate today issued a letter to the White House asking the Trump administration to deny a request for emergency bailouts for aging coal and nuclear power plants owned by a large regional energy supplier.

The letter addresses a recent filing from Ohio-based FirstEnergy Solutions asking the federal Department of Energy to issue an “Emergency Order” directing subsidies to the company’s plants using funds from ratepayers’ electric bills in Delaware and other states in the PJM region.

“Not only has FirstEnergy not shown why coal and nuclear subsidies are needed, but they are trying to circumvent the deliberative process that is ongoing at PJM,” said Delaware Public Advocate Drew Slater. “In a free market, price is a key determinant in business decisions. As coal and nuclear plants become uneconomic, ratepayers should not be forced to prop up old and inefficient technology just to protect the profits of a big power company.”

This week PJM, the regional grid operator serving 13 states and the District of Columbia, performed a reliability analysis given FirstEnergy’s recent bankruptcy and Emergency Order filings. PJM found that phasing out FirstEnergy’s coal and nuclear plants as scheduled would have no adverse effect on the reliability of the electric grid.

“Given that PJM has stated the system remains reliable, and absent a true emergency need, which has not been demonstrated, to subsidize uneconomic coal and nuclear plants, I ask that FirstEnergy’s request for an emergency order be denied,” Slater said.

In addition to the White House letter, the Division of the Public Advocate has intervened in the FirstEnergy case pending before the federal Department of Energy and provided comment on the proposed order along with many other stakeholders, including the Delaware Public Service Commission.

The Division of the Public Advocate advocates for the lowest reasonable rates, principally on behalf of residential and small commercial consumers, consistent with the maintenance of adequate utility service and consistent with an equitable distribution of rates among all classes of consumers.

 

 


State of Delaware releases 2016 progress report on climate change and steps forward

DOVER – The State of Delaware this week released Climate Action in Delaware: 2016 Progress Report, highlighting the state’s progress toward meeting the challenges of climate change and outlining steps forward, DNREC announced today.2016_climate_action_progress_report_cover

In 2013, Governor Jack Markell issued an Executive Order directing all state agencies to address the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and to protect Delaware from current and future impacts. As a result, state agencies developed the Climate Framework for Delaware, which outlines more than 155 recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to rising heat and sea levels. Now, the state has released its 2016 progress report to update Delawareans on the state’s climate action.

“Our state has repeatedly proven that protecting our environment also protects and strengthens the health and prosperity of our citizens, communities and economy,” said Governor Markell. “We’ve taken important steps by investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner fuels, moving toward our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. We’re also making our low-lying state more resilient to sea level rise through projects such as dike and beach restorations.”

“The progress we have made must continue,” Governor Markell continued. “Together, we can continue to prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change, supporting Delawareans’ health and safety, promoting economic opportunity and addressing one of the greatest threats to the future of our state, our nation and our planet.”

“This report highlights the progress we’ve made in areas including clean transportation, agriculture, energy use, public health and worker safety,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Under Governor Markell’s leadership, the collaboration among a number of state agencies has laid a solid foundation upon which to build future efforts to help Delaware adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

Susan Love, Climate Section lead with DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate, said that these strategies include partnering with local governments and engaging communities. “Climate change is a challenge that affects all of us, and it’s going to take all of us to meet it,” Love said.

The progress report also includes a comprehensive appendix detailing the progress of each of the Framework’s adaptation recommendations. To read the report, click Climate Action in Delaware: 2016 Progress Report.

To learn more about state actions and what you can do to help, visit de.gov/climatechange.

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

Vol. 47, No. 14

-30-


DNREC announces LEED Existing Buildings Operation and Maintenance certification of Richardson & Robbins Building

DOVER – Governor Jack Markell joined DNREC Secretary David Small, DNREC staff and project partners today to announce that DNREC’s downtown Dover campus, the Richardson & Robbins (R&R) Building, has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in the category of Existing Buildings: Operation and Maintenance from the US Green Building Council.

LEED certification is a globally-recognized benchmark for environmental sustainability. Beginning in 2009, DNREC staff and partners implemented a series of energy efficiency and sustainability projects which, among other benefits, resulted in a 40 percent reduction in energy use and a 24 percent reduction in water use in the building, bringing significant savings to the state’s utility costs.

“My Executive Order 18 asked state agencies to lead by example towards a clean energy economy and increased sustainability for Delaware, including goals for reducing energy use, increasing recycling, promoting clean transportation and saving money while benefiting the environment,” said Governor Markell. “The announcement of LEED certification of the Richardson & Robbins Building epitomizes the type of results we aimed to achieve in this process and I applaud the hard work and commitment to environmental stewardship by the DNREC staff involved in this effort.”

“LEED certification for existing buildings in operations and maintenance is based on a rating system that holds facilities to the highest standards of sustainability. Earning this certification is a prestigious achievement that recognizes sustainability in every aspect of a building, its systems and its employee activities,” said Secretary Small. “It’s a testament to the perseverance and dedication of our staff and to the benefits of forging partnerships with other agencies and organizations that we are here today to celebrate the success of this low-cost, high-return project.”

Inspired by Executive Order 18 and building on the earlier energy efficiency upgrades made to R&R, DNREC’s LEED team formed in 2011 with the goal of “walking the walk” on sustainability and reducing environmental impacts, said LEED Team Manager Bahareh van Boekhold, calling the results “a triumph of inter-departmental teamwork and coordination.” Staff from seven DNREC divisions joined forces with staff from the Office of Management and Budget’s Division of Facilities Management and Government Support Services, working with partners including LEED consultant Lorax, energy upgrade contractor Ameresco and state vendors and service providers including Goodwill, the state’s janitorial contractor.

“Richardson & Robbins is the first state-owned building and one of only three buildings in Delaware to achieve this specific LEED certification – an especially significant achievement for a building constructed as a cannery in 1881 that was modernized into a state office more than 30 years ago,” said van Boekhold. “Our DNREC staff and the Office of Management and Budget formed a strong and continuing relationship while working collaboratively and persistently with our partners for nearly five years to establish cutting-edge 21st century sustainable processes that will continue to improve operations even after certification,” she said.
Project achievements include:

  • Lower energy and water usage, resulting in utilities cost savings
  • Sustainable purchasing and waste management practices
  • Green no-irrigation landscaping with native species and restored habitat
  • Integrated pest management and green cleaning practices
  • Lower-impact employee commuting supported by preferred parking for “green” cars and carpool vehicles
  • Improved work environment inside the R&R Building for the health and comfort of employees through indoor air quality monitoring and reduced exposure to hazardous chemicals

“Most importantly, the LEED Team has demonstrated that by working together on a common goal and finding creative solutions, state buildings can be operated in a sustainable and healthy way, while saving the state money,” said Susan Love, Climate & Sustainability Section Lead, Division of Energy & Climate. “This project and its LEED certification ‘greens’ the way for other state-owned buildings to operate more sustainably and efficiently, providing a template for other state buildings to achieve similar savings and improvements.”

The Richardson & Robbins Building was built in 1881 by food-canning pioneers Alden B. Richardson and James Washington Robbins to house their Dover canning operation, which produced a popular line of products including canned meats, locally-grown fancy fruits and vegetables and their award-winning plum pudding. In 1959, the company and its cannery complex were sold to the William Underwood Company, which continued to make some of R&R’s products. The landmark Dover cannery was closed by Underwood in 1976.

In 1979 – the same year the State of Delaware purchased the empty cannery complex – R&R was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Victorian Dover Historic District. The abandoned complex was extensively renovated, while retaining its tall arched windows, ornate exterior brickwork and massive, rough-hewn exposed ceiling beams. It was dedicated as the new main office of Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in April 1983.

The US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. The LEED Rating System for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance provides a set of performance standards for operations and maintenance of existing commercial or institutional buildings of all sizes, both public and private. The intent is to promote high performance, healthful, durable, affordable and environmentally sound practices in existing buildings. LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance is used by owners and operators of existing structures to implement sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of their buildings over their functional life cycles.

Issued in February 2010, Governor Markell’s Executive Order 18: Leading by Example towards a Clean Energy Economy & Sustainable Natural Environment, states that the State of Delaware’s agencies shall integrate the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) practices into all new construction, renovation and operation of state facilities, with a particular focus on integrating technologies and design/material/construction elements that generate lower long-term operating expenses. EO 18’s mandates include implementation of energy conservation and efficiency measures; use of clean, renewable energy; environmentally-responsible and energy-conscious construction; environmentally-sensitive procurement and recycling practices; and reduction of emissions from state vehicles.

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

Vol. 47, No. 2

-30-


DNREC Division of Energy & Climate offers tips to keep costs down and chase away chills

DOVER – With winter just around the corner, it’s a good time to prepare your home and car for cold weather. You want to stay warm, of course, but that can mean using more energy in your home and more fuel in your car – and having less money in your pocket. To tip that balance more in your favor, DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate offers the following no- and low-cost tips to help you use less energy and save more money this winter and year-round.

Home:
• Be smart about your thermostat. Set your thermostat lower at night and during the day when you might be away. Turn the heat down an hour before bedtime or before leaving the house. When you get home, be patient – don’t turn the thermostat higher than its normal setting in an effort to warm the house faster. Adding a programmable thermostat to your home system will allow you to “set and forget” day and night temperatures.
• Snuggle up to save. Before deciding to turn up the heat, put on a sweater, hat and warm socks, and keep throws or blankets on the couch to use while watching TV or hanging out. Reduce heating in unoccupied areas and, if possible, close off rooms with the greatest northern exposure. Make family gathering places in sunny or southern-facing rooms. Put warm winter bedding – flannel sheets, warm blankets, comforters or quilts – on beds to keep the family comfortable with the house cooler at night.
• Weather-proof your windows and doors. Close shades or curtains at night to help keep cold out and open them during the day to let the sun’s warmth in. Keep windows completely closed and latched. Check doors and windows for drafts and add weather-stripping if needed. Place a towel along the bottom of the door jamb as a temporary block for cold air until you can install more permanent weatherproofing like a door skirt. Remove or cover window unit air conditioners to keep out drafts.
• Improve home comfort and efficiency through regular maintenance. Have your furnace and/or HVAC system cleaned and serviced as soon as possible for maximum efficiency and reliability over the winter months. Replace air filters to help systems run better and more efficiently. Check to make sure your water heater and hot water pipes are well-insulated; add pipe insulation or wrap-around insulation to those that aren’t. Turn down the temperature on your water heater by 10 degrees (staying above 120 degrees) to save on the energy and cost it takes to heat water. To feel warmer and alleviate dryness, increase home humidity by using an energy-efficient humidifier or by evaporating water in open containers. Take note of home improvement projects like adding insulation, caulking cracks, or replacing your old hot water heater or furnace with a more energy efficient model.
• Visit de.gov/wap to see if you qualify for free weatherization assistance. The Division of Energy & Climate’s trained professionals can weatherize your home with actions like these and help cut your energy bill.
• Use less hot water. The less hot water your family uses, the less you pay to heat it. Install flow restrictors on faucets and shower heads. Run the washing machine or dishwasher only with full loads, and use warm water to wash and cold to rinse.
• Cut your energy use throughout the house. Turn lights off when you leave the room, and turn off or unplug appliances, chargers and electronic devices when they are not in use. These items can sneakily drain energy from your home, even if you’re not using them. Use a power strip to easily turn multiple items off all at once. Looking to buy new appliances, or replace old ones? Compare Energy Star-rated appliances and look for the Energy Guide label on refrigerators, washing machines, heaters, and more. You’ll pay less to run the appliance over its lifetime.
• Be efficient in the kitchen. Plan to use the oven for three or four items at a time so you only have to heat it once. Choose a day when everyone is home to enjoy the extra warmth and delicious scents. Set your refrigerator at 38°F to 40°F and your freezer at 10°F. Keep your freezer full, and try to minimize the number of times you open refrigerator and freezer doors.
• Do lower-impact laundry. Use a clothesline or drying rack instead of the dryer. When items require a dryer, run full loads and separate heavy and lightweight items to avoid using the machine longer than necessary to dry each type. Dry in consecutive loads; once the dryer is warm, it cuts down on initial energy consumption to dry the next load.

Car:
• Skip the morning warm-up. Idling your car to warm it up wastes fuel and creates air pollution. Bundle up and just start driving – modern car engines are better warmed up by driving than by idling.
• Plan ahead with friends and co-workers. Consider joining a workplace carpool or using public transportation – you’ll save on fuel costs, tolls, and wear and tear to your vehicle. On weekends, save gas and time by planning errands in the shortest circular route starting and ending at home instead of traveling in random directions or making several trips. You can also plan to take care of errands during the week along your daily route to work or school.
• Save fuel through mindful driving habits. Accelerate from stops slowly, drive at moderate, steady speeds and avoid unnecessary braking by coasting to red lights and anticipating traffic speed changes.
• Check your tire pressure. Underinflated tires decrease fuel efficiency.
• Schedule regular maintenance checks. Oil and filter changes and other recommended maintenance keep your vehicle operating efficiently.
• Play favorites. If you have more than one vehicle, use the one with the best gas mileage more frequently. Smaller cars with smaller engines typically get better gas mileage than larger vehicles.
• Know your options before buying a new vehicle. Gasoline isn’t your only option. Major manufacturers like Ford, Chevy, Nissan, and BMW make electric cars that offer all the same design, comfort and safety standards as gas-powered cars, with a fraction of the maintenance and ‘fuel’ costs. Plus, federal tax breaks, manufacturer rebates and rebates from Delaware’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program (de.gov/cleantransportation) may significantly lower the cost of your vehicle. If you’re set on a gas-powered car, consider size and fuel efficiency in your purchase.

How DNREC can help you save on energy costs
The Division of Energy & Climate works with local non-profit agency Catholic Charities to provide energy conservation services for the homes of low-income Delawareans. For example, a family of four making less than $46,000 per year may qualify for free in-home weatherization services that can save owners and renters hundreds of dollars in annual heating bills. For more information about the Weatherization Assistance Program, please contact the Division of Energy & Climate at 302-735-3480, or visit de.gov/wap.

Delaware’s Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) offers the Home Performance with Energy Star Performance Program for all Delaware residents, regardless of income. Homeowners can receive an Energy Star Audit for just $100, along with free energy-saving items up to a $220 value, including light bulbs, showerheads, faucet aerators, pipe insulation and smart power strips installed during the audit. The program also offers incentives for completing energy efficiency improvements identified during the energy audit. Visit http://www.energizedelaware.org/for more information.

Electric cars or alternative fuel vehicles provide low-fuel, cost-saving transportation opportunities – the Division of Energy & Climate’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program offers rebates for purchasers or leasees of electric or alternative fuel vehicles, and cost assistance for charging equipment as well. The program has already provided rebates for almost 300 electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Delaware across all three counties. For more information, visit de.gov/cleantransportation.

For more information on the Delaware Division of Energy & Climate and its programs, including the Energy Savers Guide, call 302-735-3480, or visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/energy/Pages/Portal.aspx.

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

Vol. 46, No. 415

-30-


DNREC Division of Energy & Climate announces relaunch of Energy Efficiency Investment Fund, featuring new energy-saving incentives and a look to the future of net zero

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate today announced the relaunch of Delaware’s Energy Efficiency Investment Fund – a grant program that supports energy efficiency upgrades in commercial, industrial, non-profit and local government buildings.

The program has been revamped to incentivize building systems upgrades exceed energy efficiency standards currently required by Delaware’s building energy code. Additionally, the program has been improved for quicker turnaround time between submission and review of applications. Lighting incentives also have been redesigned to better reflect market trends in light of low-cost LED technology.

“The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund has supported hundreds of projects that reduce Delawareans’ energy use and help lower operating costs,” said Energy Administrator Rob Underwood, Division of Energy & Climate. “Through these program improvements, we hope to encourage a deeper dive into energy efficiency with creative projects.”

“We still encourage basic changes like switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, but there are also opportunities for larger, innovative projects like daylighting, or lower watts-per-square foot adjustments that can accomplish the same lighting goals with even less energy. The same is true for other building systems,” Underwood added.

For example, energy efficiency improvements can be implemented in HVAC systems, building automation, building envelope, plug load controls and even more complex projects like cogeneration (combined heat and power).

Energy Efficiency and Net Zero Capability
Energy efficient buildings help facility owners reduce operating costs while promoting a positive public image of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility – a move that also can be economically advantageous for businesses and organizations over their competitors.

Energy efficiency technology is also important in making buildings net zero capable, meaning the building has low energy needs that could potentially be met with onsite renewable energy, such as solar panels. In other words, the facility produces as much energy as it uses.

By supporting more extensive energy efficiency upgrades now, the Division of Energy & Climate aims to grow Delaware’s capacity for reaching this standard in the near future.

About the Energy Efficiency Investment Fund
The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF) was initially created in 2011 to help Delaware businesses make equipment and facility upgrades that would reduce their energy use, resulting in lower operating costs and reduced environmental impacts. Due to lack of funding, the program was temporarily suspended in February 2016. The Division of Energy & Climate is now reopening the program using funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a multi-state cap-and-trade program that reduces greenhouse gas pollution. With the support of the Delaware Sustainability Energy Utility (SEU) the program also has additional RGGI funding for non-profit recipients, and expanded grant eligibility to include funding for local governments.

For more information, contact Rachel Yocum by email at Rachel.Yocum@delaware.gov, or by phone at 302-735-3480, or click Energy Efficiency Investment Fund.

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

Vol. 46, No. 292