SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans

DOVER –  Governor Markell has received notification from the U. S. Small Business Association that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are now available to eligible Delaware small businesses in Kent and Sussex counties affected by Hurricane Irene on Aug. 27-28, 2011.  These low-interest disaster loans are also available to small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private non-profit organizations.

“We are grateful to the U.S. Small Businesses Association for recognizing the assistance Sussex and Kent counties require,” said the Governor. “This SBA designation allows us to extend outreach efforts to businesses in lower Delaware economically impacted by the hurricane.  Economic effects of the hurricane can be just as challenging to a small business as property damage.”

SBA Administrator Karen Mills made the loans available at Governor Jack Markell’s request for a disaster declaration by the SBA.  The declaration covers Kent and Sussex County small businesses; however, this loan program is especially relevant to businesses in Sussex County because Sussex did not meet the eligibility requirements for previous property damage disaster declarations. Thus, the Governor requested a special declaration based on the economic losses these businesses faced.

“The SBA can help affected small businesses and non-profit organizations overcome their economic losses by offering working capital loans, but the help cannot start until they submit an SBA Disaster Loan application to us,” said Jayne Armstrong, SBA’s Delaware district director.

“The Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to help small businesses and non-profits in Delaware with their federal disaster loans,” said Mills.  “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million.  The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  The rates on these loans are three-percent for non-profit organizations and four-percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.  The SBA determines eligibility for the loans based on the size and type of business and its financial resources.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Small businesses in Kent and Sussex counties who suffered economic injury from the hurricane are encouraged to review the SBA’s applications and program information.  Contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET or via e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Loan applications available for downloaded at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those impacted may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return physical property damage applications is November 28, 2011.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 20, 2012.

Vote Solar Institute cites state’s leadership on connecting clean energy

DOVER  – The Vote Solar Institute has moved Delaware to “the head of the class” when it comes to connecting renewable resources to the grid in the 2011 edition of its report, “Freeing the Grid”. Delaware was one of three states to earn an “A” grade for both net metering and interconnection policies that support renewable resources such as wind and solar energy, with the report ranking its policies “among the strongest in the country.”

Under Governor Jack Markell’s leadership, Delaware adopted a progressive net-metering law with strong bipartisan support in 2010 (Senate Bill 267, sponsored by Senators Harris McDowell and Gary Simpson and Representatives Dennis Williams and Michael Mulrooney) that makes it easier for utility customers to sell excess renewable energy to the grid.

Delaware is adopting leading-edge interconnection policies that allow small renewable resources to connect to the grid without requiring redundant and restrictive review from PJM Interconnection, the regional grid manager. The Vote Solar report praised the state’s collaboration with local electrical utilities along with the efforts of the Public Service Commission to implement model interconnection standards.

The report highlights Delaware’s progress, noting that the state moved from an “F” to an “A” in the category of interconnection policy:

As of mid-2011, Delaware is poised to adopt interconnection procedures that are among the strongest in the country and have received a score of “A” in Freeing the Grid 2011. In addition, the adoption of rules for aggregate metering and community renewables has greatly expanded opportunities for investment in renewable energy among customer groups who previously would have been unable to fully utilize the state’s solid net metering program. Most importantly, Delaware’s renewable energy policies are finally aligned to bring significant investment in renewable energy to the state.

DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara welcomed the news, saying, “Under Governor Markell’s leadership, Delaware is taking significant steps to transition towards cleaner sources of energy. Through the innovative clean energy policies recognized in this report, including virtual net-metering, community aggregation, and interconnection policies, Delaware is emerging as one of the best places in the U.S. for clean energy investments.”

“Integrating more clean energy into the grid puts more people to work, supports capital investment, and promotes a healthier environment,” Gov. Markell said. “Through strong bipartisan support, Delaware has demonstrated repeatedly that we can strengthen our economy and improve our environment at the same time.”

Vote Solar cites Delaware’s progressive polices including simplified interconnection procedures, aggregate net metering that allows customers to link several meters on a farm or college campus, and allowing communities to link multiple home meters to one jointly-owned renewable resource.

The report is available at http://www.newenergychoices.org/uploads/FreeingTheGrid2011.pdf.

Adult Vocational School Highlights Success in Helping the Unemployed

Wilmington – Dozens of students shared their stories with Delaware Governor Jack Markell and a group of state lawmakers as they visited Delaware Skills Center this week. Students who had been employed in the finance, insurance and retail sectors and recently lost jobs due to downsizing are actively engaged learning new skills and gaining certification in areas such as computer support, medical assistant, construction electric and HVAC.    Upon completion, the Delaware Skills Center helps students secure jobs.  80% of the students who completed courses in 2011 obtained employment.

“I saw motivated men and women re-making themselves and learning new skills so they will have a job in today’s market,” said Governor Markell.  “Delaware Skills Center is giving them the education they need to re-tool themselves in a challenging job market.  They are giving themselves the chance to secure new futures for themselves and their families.”

The Delaware Skills Center is an adult training provider for Delaware citizens, ages 18 and over.  The Center will celebrate 50 years of service in 2012.  The school works to increase employment opportunities for students and is a division of the New Castle County Vocational School District.

Recent course upgrades include solar thermal heating, heat pump operation and energy efficiency training in HVAC, Linux, green IT, software trouble shooting and customer service training was added to the computer support course. Medical Assistant students are practicing medical laboratory procedures and electronic medical records applications.  Input from advisory committee members from business directs changes in course content and course offerings are built in response to high demand jobs identified by the business community and the Delaware Department of Labor.  Courses are funded by the Delaware Workforce Investment Board and the Delaware Office of Education.

The Delaware Skills Center recruits individuals looking to develop career opportunities on a monthly basis.  The Center provides information on courses available and recruitment dates on their website, www.deskillscenter.org.

Governor Markell thanks the Commission for their Thoughtful Consideration and Support of the State’s Economy

Dover – Governor Jack Markell thanked the Public Service Commission tonight for their unanimous vote of support, which will allow Bloom Energy to move forward with its proposal to put Delawareans to work. Bloom is choosing to build its east coast manufacturing center on the site of the former Chrysler plant in Newark, which is now part of the University of Delaware’s Science and Technology Campus.

“This vote brings us closer to creating hundreds of jobs for Delawareans and making a substantial positive impact for our State’s economy.  I thank the PSC, its staff and consultants for their independent and thoughtful consideration.  Their decision to move this process forward will bring significant benefits to Delaware.”  Markell said.

The PSC’s vote allows Delmarva Power to become a Bloom Energy customer. Bill Kurtz, Bloom’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, shared his thoughts on his company’s behalf.

“We are pleased that the PSC has approved the tariff, and are looking forward to working with the State, the University of Delaware and Delmarva to now begin the process of creating jobs and applying our innovative fuel cell technology to bring affordable, reliable and clean energy to the entire east coast,” Kurtz said.

You can read more about Bloom’s proposal and technology here: http://governor.delaware.gov/news/2011/1106june/20110609-bloom_energy.shtml

Parsippany, NJ – PBF Holding Company LLC and Delaware City Refining Company LLC (together “PBF”) today announced the successful restart of the Delaware City petroleum refinery, which was closed down by previous owners in 2009. In June 2010, Delaware City was purchased by PBF, a company owned by Blackstone and First Reserve Corporation, which have collectively undertaken a restart of the facility and full turnaround, leading to the rehiring of nearly 500 employees and up to 250 contractors. Initial operations began in June of 2011 and the refinery is now fully operational.

“The successful restart of the Delaware City Refinery is the result of the collaborative efforts of government, labor and business,” said, Thomas D. O’Malley, PBF’s Chairman. “Our operations in Delaware are an example of the success that can be achieved when all interested parties work together for a common goal. We are happy to be part of the Delaware community and to contribute to its well being.”

Mr. O’Malley added, “I want to thank our employees who worked so hard to make this day possible. During these difficult economic times when many others are facing job losses, we are glad that we were able to provide these good paying manufacturing jobs.”

Blackstone and First Reserve have lent their expertise and invested $450 million in growth capital to improve the refinery’s performance, reliability and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 35%. A study conducted by members of the Department of Economics at the University of Delaware estimates that the refinery brings approximately 2000 jobs to the state and nearly $100 million in state and local tax revenues.

Attending the ceremony to celebrate the restart were Delaware Governor Jack Markell; U.S. Senator Thomas Carper; U.S. Senator Chris Coons; International Vice President of the United Steelworkers, Gary Beevers; President and COO of Blackstone, Tony James; and Managing Director of First Reserve Corporation, Tim Day as well as other dignitaries and more than 200 employees and staff of the refinery.

Governor Jack Markell said, “This reopening is the culmination of two years of teamwork. First, to find a new owner for this great facility. Then, through tens of thousands of hours of labor by over a thousand people to bring the refinery from shuttered to in-service. Now, hundreds will report to work here each day, better able to support their families and their neighborhood businesses. PBF Energy saw real potential in this site, in this state, and in its workers. They pledged to run a world-class facility and, with this opening, that pledge becomes real. Their investment – led by firms with global reputations like First Reserve and Blackstone – will make a significant difference for Delaware and the region. We welcome them today as well.”

U.S. Senator Thomas Carper said, “The reopening of the Delaware City refinery is a huge win for the state of Delaware, bringing back much needed-jobs in a cleaner, more competitive facility, said Sen. Carper. This success story demonstrates PBF and its partners commitment to investing in the First State and its another great example of the positive things we can achieve when the federal, state, community and business sectors work together.”

U.S. Senator Christopher Coons said, “It’s been a long 22 months that the gates to this plant have been closed, but the reopening of the Delaware City refinery is a sight for sore eyes and a shot in the arm for the local economy,” said Senator Chris Coons. “It means that nearly 500 employees and an additional 250 contract employees are back at work with good jobs – jobs you can raise a family on. This refinery is essential to Delaware’s economy and important to America’s energy security. I was proud to work with Governor Markell to help attract PBF Energy to Delaware to reopen this refinery. This is a major step in helping to revive our economy and a very good day for Delaware.”

U.S. Representative John Carney said, “I am very pleased that the Delaware City refinery is restarting, creating hundreds of good-paying, quality jobs for Delaware workers. With the completion of much needed maintenance and emissions controls, the refinery can now be an even more valuable and responsible part of the state’s economy. I applaud the strong relationship that has formed between PBF, its business partners, local workers, and the state and federal government, and I hope it will continue for many years to come.”

Leo W. Gerard, International President of United Steelworkers, said, “In these times when so many Americans are looking to work and jobs continue to be outsourced, it is totally refreshing to come across the commitment PBF refinery is making to Delaware City. Not only has PBF brought back more than 300 good paying jobs by refurbishing this refinery, it will maintain this production by making the necessary capital investments to keep it competitive in the global market.”

Tony James, Blackstone President and COO, said, “Saving this refinery is what private equity is all about. It’s great that a couple of 20-year-olds can start a web site in a garage and make billions of dollars with venture capital. But if we are going to get America going again, we need to save struggling, traditional American businesses that employ thousands of people. And to do that, we need patient equity in large amounts that provide strong capital bases. Only private equity can fill this need. The 2000 jobs potentially created by this reopening are a win for the pension funds we manage, the workers here at the refinery, the State of Delaware and the economy of the U.S. Let’s use it as a model for the future.”

Tim Day, First Reserve Corporation Managing Director, said, “The restart of an idle refinery is very complicated, so this project required a best-in-class team. First Reserve applauds those at PBF Energy for their hard work, determination and rigorous attention to detail in completing this technically challenged project in a manner consistent with the highest standards in the industry.”

The Delaware City refinery is a high-conversion heavy crude oil refinery with a processing capacity of 190,000 barrels per day, located on a 5,000 acre site on the shore of the Delaware River. Major process units include a fluid coking unit, a fluid catalytic cracking unit, a hydrocracking unit with a hydrogen plant, a continuous catalytic reformer, an alkylation unit, and several hydrotreating units. The refinery’s production is sold in the U.S. Northeast via pipeline, barge, and truck distribution.