Energy Program Services Available Online

DNREC’s Energy Efficiency Investment Fund Goes Paperless

Businesses looking to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Energy Efficiency Investment Fund can apply for the program online.

The online portal replaces the current practice for accepting applications in all other formats and will make applying faster and easier for customers, increase the efficiency of reviewing files and improve communication between applicants and program staff. The Energy Efficiency Investment Fund provides grants to help commercial and industrial customers replace aging, inefficient equipment and systems with energy efficient alternatives.

Users can enter project information, including materials and energy savings, into simple tables. The portal contains specialized calculators which streamline the details provided by the applicant to generate an estimated total project cost and grant award. Applicants can also share and store documents, allowing the EEIF team to communicate clearly and directly with the applicant.

“The portal will bolster a program that already saves Delawareans millions of dollars in annual energy costs and will create a more streamlined process for applicants,” said Dayna Cobb, director of the DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy.

Improving the energy efficiency of a business helps to decrease operating costs, reduce energy consumption and improve environmental performance. Visit de.gov/eeif to learn more about grant and loan programs available, or log on to eeif.smartsimple.com to apply to the program.

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 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 DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, Michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov.

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Applications now open for high-needs educator student loan payment program

Delaware educators who work in high-needs districts or content areas are eligible to apply for this year’s High Needs Educator Student Loan Payment program.

 

Created under Governor John Carney, Delaware’s educator student loan repayment program provides eligible educators with up to $2,000 a year to repay their student loans. Educators who work in certification areas in which Delaware has a shortage or educators who work in Delaware high-needs schools are eligible to apply.

 

Educators can apply for the loan repayment program online (https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/3846) through 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2019.

 

For the 2019-2020 academic year, the budget for this program increased to $700,000.

 

Learn more about the importance of the program from first-year recipients at https://youtu.be/_DEc-bGclvM.

 

Media Contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


Rolling application process provides flexibility for Delaware’s Young Farmer Loan Program

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Aglands Foundation Board announced that they will institute a rolling application process for their Young Farmer Loan Program to offer young farmers more flexibility in acquiring a farm.

Delaware farmers, between 18 and 40 years old have the opportunity to apply for the Young Farmers Loan Program. The program provides long-term, no-interest loans to help eligible farmers purchase land, reducing the financial impact on farmers just starting out or looking to expand.

“In the past, we asked that applicants apply by a specified date in the fall, but we realized this was restricting their opportunities to find the perfect farm when it came on the market,” said Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Austin Short. “This new rolling application system will allow a young farmer to apply when they secure the contract on the farm and have their application reviewed when they absolutely need it. The application window will close once the funding is fully utilized for that fiscal year.”

Young farmer in corn fieldsApplicants must have at least three years of farming experience, and their net worth must not exceed $300,000. Eligible farms must contain at least 15 acres of cropland and must not be enrolled in a conservation easement at the time of purchase. The 30-year, no interest loans may fund up to 70 percent of the value of a property’s development rights, defined as the difference between full market value and agricultural value, up to a maximum of $500,000.

Delaware’s Young Farmers Loan Program began in 2011 to help lower barriers to young people wanting to get started in farming. Thirty-five farmers have purchased land so far in all three counties, totaling 2,700 acres of farmland using $8 million in loans. That includes both individual farmers and couples, all seeking to purchase new land or expand their existing farms. Land purchased through the program is permanently preserved through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.

Interested applicants can visit the Department of Agriculture website, agriculture.delaware.gov, for an information and application packet, or can contact Deputy Secretary Austin Short at 302-698-4500 or austin.short@delaware.gov.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov


Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund public workshop set for July 25 in Dover

DOVER – Environmental Finance within DNREC’s Office of the Secretary and the Delaware Division of Public Health will host a State Revolving Loan Fund public workshop Thursday, July 25 in preparation for the development of the 2019 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving (DWSRF) Revised Project Priority Lists. The workshop begins at 2 p.m. in the Kent County Administrative Complex, Conference Room 220, 555 South Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901.

The workshop will inform and provide municipal government representatives, privately-owned businesses, wastewater and drinking water utilities, consultant engineers, and other interested parties with detailed overviews of the CWSRF and DWSRF programs. The combined program workshop will provide attendees with an accurate and efficient source of information for requesting financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project needs.

Notices-of-Intent (NOI) for wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and related infrastructure projects will be solicited starting Wednesday, July 25 and are due by Friday, Aug. 30 to prepare the 2019 CWSRF and DWSRF Revised Project Priority Lists (PPLs). Projects must be listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF Revised PPL, respectively, to be considered for funding. Workshop attendance is required by applicants and/or their consulting engineering firms who plan to apply for CWSRF and DWSRF assistance.

Workshop participants will learn about the following CWSRF and DWSRF program changes and infrastructure financing tools:

  • One-stop loan application process for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project assistance
  • Land conservation and water quality improvement loan sponsorship programs
  • Source water protection loans for drinking water supplies
  • Wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater facilities matching planning grants
  • Community water quality improvement grants
  • Asset management plan development incentives
  • Project planning advances
  • Expanded eligibilities for privately-owned businesses

In addition, detailed information will be presented at the workshop about how and when to submit projects for funding consideration, project ranking criteria, project construction requirements, and how to apply for infrastructure planning grants.

To reserve a place at the workshop, please contact Laura Rafferty, DNREC Environmental Finance, by emailing Laura.Rafferty@delaware.gov or phone: 302-739-9941.

Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 2