Available to businesses, local governments and non-profits

DOVER, Del. – Delaware organizations looking to reduce energy consumption and related costs through energy-efficient lighting now have expanded grant opportunities through Delaware’s Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF). Administered by DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, the fund offers grants to offset the cost of energy efficiency improvements, and has broadened the kinds of light fixtures that will qualify for grants while adjusting incentives offered for large custom projects to reflect competitive regional market rates.

EEIF assists with energy assessments, lighting, HVAC, complex retrofits, building improvements, and thermal energy systems. Changes to the lighting incentives include 34 new categories of eligible fixtures, varying incentive rates based on wattage, and the addition of incentives for lighting control systems. All incentive levels also have been adjusted to reflect market conditions for LED lights.

Updates to comprehensive custom projects have been made to promote maximum energy efficiency efforts, including implementing a tiered system that encourages applicants to consider projects with multiple end-use benefits. The EEIF program is also creating its first incentives for reducing emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

“The EEIF program has been hugely successful supporting projects that saved over 55 million kilowatts in fiscal year 2019 alone,” said Dayna Cobb, director of the Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy. “These additions to EEIF add even greater value to a program that is already reducing energy usage and pollution.”

EEIF is funded through the Public Utility Tax (PUT), the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and one-time funding from the Exelon-Pepco merger settlement through which Delmarva Power, a major Delaware energy provider, became an Exelon company in 2016. Grant amounts are capped at 30 percent of the project’s total cost. Any application approved after Feb. 1, 2020 will reflect the new lighting and custom incentive levels.

For details on the program, application forms, and a list of eligible lighting products and rebates for deploying them, please visit www.de.gov/eeif.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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– The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has awarded $150,000 to Delaware City to be used to improve recreational facilities, study and develop a plan to improve energy consumption, and develop rain gardens and bio swales at the city’s community center, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced today. “The funds will focus on green technology, energy conservation, and environmental projects that will benefit Delaware City and surrounding areas,” Secretary Garvin said.

The funds will help Delaware City pave its Community Center parking lots and basketball court. This, along with incorporating rain gardens around the property, will greatly improve the water quality at the facility and reduce stormwater runoff. Using pervious pavement for the parking lot and basketball court will allow the rainwater to be absorbed back into the city’s groundwater. In addition, both surfaces are more than 20 years old and are starting to create safety concerns. The Community Center houses the Delaware City Library, Police Athletic League Center, Reedy Point Players community theater group, and various classes offered through New Castle County.

A comprehensive energy audit to be performed on the Town Hall and Community Center will identify areas where improvements can be made to conserve energy. Both buildings are more than 60 years old, with minimal capital upgrades over the years. Energy conservation measures will also complement a solar farm installed several years ago on property donated to the city by PBF Energy, and help to maintain Delaware City’s commitment to the environment and fiscal responsibility.

Renovations include multiple phases that will occur over the next year. Included in this plan are:
• The basketball court at the 7th Street Park, utilizing pervious pavement;
• Performance of energy audits on all city-owned property and development of a plan to improve efficiencies and reduce energy consumption;
• Rain gardens and bio swales to be incorporated into parks and community center properties; and
• A city-wide paving assessment to explore options for additional pervious pavement.

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

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