Appointees will determine how best to sustainably fund Delaware infrastructure

WILMINGTON — Today, Governor Matt Meyer signed his 14th Executive Order establishing the Delaware Task Force on Sustainable Transportation Funding to address long-term challenges facing the state’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) and ensure Delaware’s infrastructure remains strong, reliable, and sustainable for decades to come.

“Our roads and bridges connect Delawareans to jobs, schools, healthcare, and each other,” Governor Matt Meyer said. “But we face real challenges—from aging infrastructure to climate resiliency. This Task Force, led by Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings, will aim to chart a sustainable path forward for Delaware, so we can continue to build safe, modern, and resilient transportation networks that serve every community.”

“Transportation funding is not just about keeping our roads paved—it’s about ensuring safe travel, supporting economic growth, and meeting the mobility needs of every Delawarean,” Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings said. “This Task Force will bring Delawareans together to think creatively and work with partners across sectors to deliver a transportation system that is equitable, sustainable, and ready for the future.”

Through public-private collaboration, the task force will work with stakeholders to proactively identify trends in transportation revenues, expenditures, and capital needs over the next 20 years, review the TTF’s financial condition, and seek other revenue sources and solutions to address Delaware’s transportation challenges.

Current and future transportation needs are growing as infrastructure ages, travel patterns change, construction costs rise, and the need to build resiliency into the transportation system to withstand extreme weather events becomes more dire. Established in 1987, the TTF serves as a dedicated funding source for construction, maintenance, and improvements, but its sustainability is at risk.

The new task force will comprise a diverse group of legislators, experts, and local union leaders to develop long-term strategies for maintaining and strengthening the state’s transportation system. DelDOT Secretary Hastings will serve as Chair of the task force. At least 18 other members will include OMB Director Brian Maxwell, Finance Secretary Michael Smith, four members of the state legislature, and other appointees by Governor Meyer.

The task force will meet for the first time in October 2025. A report of their findings will be issued by December 2026.

To read the full Executive Order, CLICK HERE.

For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor Meyer, please email govcomm@delaware.gov.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Delaware Governor John Carney, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) announced $127.5 million for Port Wilmington as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program, a $3 billion investment by the Biden-Harris Administration in zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure.

The Clean Ports Program was created by the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that Senators Carper, Coons, and Representative Blunt Rochester championed in Congress. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works, Senator Carper was the primary author of the final environmental provisions in the IRA, including the Clean Ports Program at EPA. Senator Coons was a key negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has long fought to ensure critical infrastructure programs have the necessary resources to fund projects up and down our state, including at Port Wilmington. Representative Blunt Rochester’s legislation, H.R. 862, the Climate Action Planning for Ports Act, served as the framework for the Clean Ports program in the House version of the IRA.

“The Port has been a critical part of Delaware’s economy for decades,” said Governor Carney. “The investment announced today will ensure the Port continues to support good jobs and enhance environmental safety for years to come.”

“Our ports are vital to Delaware’s economic well-being, but for too long, pollution from diesel emissions have disproportionately impacted the vulnerable communities closest to them,” said Senator Carper, Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “Port electrification is one solution that will clean up the air that nearby communities breathe while also addressing the climate crisis and creating new jobs. This is why I fought for the final Clean Ports Program in the Inflation Reduction Act. Investing in clean ports will put Delaware – and our nation – on the path to a brighter future with healthier communities, cleaner air, and a stronger economy.”

“Investing in our infrastructure strengthens our national security and builds a stronger economy where everyone can thrive,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “As Delaware’s member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m proud to have secured this funding for the Port Wilmington that will support good-paying, union jobs for First State workers. As we increase economic growth and competitiveness through investments in Delaware’s infrastructure, we should look for more investments like this one that advance climate resilience, reduce inflation, and further equip Delaware to meet the needs of the 21st century.”

“The resiliency of Port Wilmington is crucial to the strength of our economy, our workers, and our supply chains,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “I’m proud to have delivered this significant investment in Port Wilmington through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Ports Program, which is based on my Climate Action Planning for Ports Act. The goal of my bill was to reduce carbon emissions to improve public health and lower the environmental impact of our ports. Today’s investment meets that goal with urgency and equity, while advancing the Port’s clean energy future and benefiting our environmental justice communities.”

“It’s one thing to talk about environmental justice, it’s another thing to do something about it,” said Delaware Secretary of State and Chairman of Diamond State Port Corporation, Jeffrey Bullock. “For years, people have been talking about the importance of cleaning up our ports and using “green” technology to better protect our workers and the people living in surrounding communities, but the money has never been available. This grant is going to make a huge difference by giving the existing port of Wilmington, and the new facility we are building the resources needed to improve environmental safety and make Delaware’s ports better for everyone living in our state.”

“Our nation’s ports are critical to creating opportunity here in America, offering good-paying jobs, moving goods, and powering our economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s historic $3 billion investment builds on President Biden’s vision of growing our economy while ensuring America leads in globally competitive solutions in the future. Delivering cleaner technologies and resources to U.S. ports will slash harmful air and climate pollution while protecting people who work in and live nearby ports communities.”

The Clean Ports Program, established by the Inflation Reduction Act, is designed to help ports across the country transition to fully zero-emissions operations. The program consists of two competitions: the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition and the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition. Port Wilmington is an awardee for the latter, which will allow it to attain electric cargo handling equipment and charging infrastructure. EPA’s Clean Ports Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Disadvantaged communities will benefit from cleaner air and access to high quality jobs that will be created to operate zero emissions technologies at ports.

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DNREC is soon to begin a $4.685 million priority dredging project for White Creek (pictured above) and the Assawoman Canal to make both waterways in Sussex County more navigable. /DNREC photo

Beneficial Reuse Sediment from Dredging Will Help Restore Nearby Assawoman Wildlife Area Salt Marsh

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that dredging is expected to begin just after the New Year on the main channel of White Creek and a short stretch of Assawoman Canal to improve navigability on the two waterways northwest of Bethany Beach in Sussex County. Dredged sediment from the project will be used to restore an area of degraded salt marsh at DNREC’s Assawoman Wildlife Area. The $4.685 million project is funded largely from appropriations to DNREC in the fiscal year 2022 and FY23 budgets.

The project to be undertaken by DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section and the contractor ResilientSeas, LLC will remove between 55,000 and 70,000 cubic yards of shoaled sediment. The work will restore the main White Creek navigation channel and the confluence of the Assawoman Canal to previous depths for safer boating and recreational use of both waterways.

DNREC identified White Creek and the Assawoman Canal as two of the top priorities for navigation improvements, based on surveys of residents and recreational users of the waterways, along with analysis of channel depth, boater safety and environmental issues. The White Creek navigation channel was last dredged as part of a phased program from 1997 through 2001. The Assawoman Canal was most recently dredged from 2010 to 2015.

Removal of derelict crab pots and other marine debris from the project area is expected to begin this month. Placement of the pipeline for dredged material will start in early January 2023. Dredging of the main channel is expected to begin in late January. Permit conditions require the dredging project to be completed by the end of March to minimize impacts to hibernating terrapins.

The U.S. Coast Guard will issue a Local Notice to Mariners advisory for boaters to exercise caution on both waterways and to maintain safe distance from the dredging activity. Floating and submerged pipelines will be positioned in White Creek, the Assawoman Canal and the eastern and western prongs of White Creek. Dredge and support vessels will be operating in the same areas over the course of the project.

The Coast Guard also recommends removing commercial fishing nets, crab pots and other structures from the dredging area.

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 DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

Enrollment Eligibility Expanded to Higher Education, Non-profits and Private Sector

Faculty and staff at institutions of higher education, representatives of non-profit organizations and private sector professionals working in sustainability and environmental planning can now join state and local government employees in registering for and enrolling in the fall Delaware Climate Leadership Academy, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today.

Ninety state and local employees, representing 10 state agencies and five local governments, participated in the inaugural Delaware Climate Leadership Academy classes, which launched in April. Eligibility for participating in the Climate Leadership Academy has been expanded to include enrollment of non-government professionals. Curriculum is targeted toward experienced professionals with sustainability, environmental, engineering, planning, infrastructure, energy, health, agriculture, emergency management, facility and risk management backgrounds.

The Academy’s training curriculum helps participants learn how climate change is impacting the First State, how Delaware can best prepare for these challenges, and how the state can reduce emissions and improve resilience. “Every state agency, local government and business in our state is affected by climate change. Delaware’s Climate Leadership Academy has already helped a number of state and local governments prepare for climate change and begin to develop solutions,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Opening up the Academy to other professionals will further expand our abilities to identify and address the challenges of climate change across the state.”

The Academy, which is administered by DNREC in partnership with the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO), provides training that teaches participants to integrate concepts of climate change mitigation and adaptation into their professional decision-making.

The virtual training includes instruction on:

• understanding climate science and assessing vulnerability;
• the basics of greenhouse gas accounting, reporting and disclosure;
• engaging organizational and community stakeholders to lead change;
• the economics of climate change and managing climate risk in your organization.

Delaware-specific sessions include training on:

• data on temperature, precipitation, extreme weather events and sea level rise trend projections in the First State;
• minimizing emissions and utilizing initiatives already in place to achieve reductions;
• maximizing resilience, with a focus on adapting to increasing temperatures, precipitation, flooding and sea level rise.

The live, online training is administered in both daytime and evening cohorts. There is no fee for the 40-hour, two-month training. However, participants outside of government pursuing ACCO’s Certified Climate Change Professional (CC-P) credential would be required to pay the CC-P application and exam fee. Those fees are waived for government employees.

The deadline to register is Oct. 24. For more information about the Academy and to register, visit de.gov/climateacademy.

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 DNREC 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 @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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Innovative Approach Provides Wilmington Teens with Educational Opportunities in Sustainability

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) bus unveiled June 14 at The Warehouse. An electric zero emissions bus that is the The Warehouse’s new cleaner transportation option for visitors of The WRK Group, including The Warehouse, REACH Riverside and Kingswood Community Center.

Community leaders gathered today at The Warehouse, a service partner of The WRK Group, to welcome three new clean energy technologies as part of the Energize The Warehouse initiative — a collaboration between Delmarva Power, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and many other community partners. The initiative is helping The Warehouse further its mission to revolutionize teen engagement by serving as a place for local teens to learn about clean energy, electric transportation, and sustainable farming and agriculture.

The initiative supports vocational and educational opportunities alongside each new technology, helping teens explore the energy industry and develop the skills needed to fill future energy jobs across Delaware and the broader region. Beyond the educational component of these technologies, they also offer solutions to some of the challenges facing the community, including improving access to food, transportation and reducing energy costs.

The Warehouse will host new three new technologies:

• Agricultural (Ag) Pod – A sustainable indoor vertical growing environment for produce that allows communities to grow food year-round. This technology was supported by Delmarva Power, the DNREC Community Environmental Project Fund, the Electric Power Institute (EPRI) and Planting To Feed Inc.
• Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Bus – Electric, zero emissions bus, providing a cleaner transportation option for visitors of The WRK Group, including The Warehouse, REACH Riverside and Kingswood Community Center. This technology was supported by Delmarva Power, Exelon, the DNREC Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund, and the University of Delaware.
• Solar and Battery Storage System – Provides clean solar energy to The Warehouse and allows the organization to save money on energy costs. This technology was supported by Delmarva Power, the DNREC Green Energy Fund, and CMI Solar & Electric.

“This is transformational for the community,” said Logan S. Herring, Sr., CEO of The WRK Group. “We are feeding our neighbors with fresh and healthy produce from the Ag Pod. We are transporting our friends and family to The Warehouse and beyond with cleaner technology. We are creating a culture where a commitment to clean energy is normal and expected. We are so thankful to all of our partners for investing their time and energy into Riverside and making us an example in clean technology.”

“Combining clean, renewable energy sources with agriculture and food production, especially for high needs areas, is bringing together the best of what Delaware’s future should look like. It also helps us address climate change and protect our planet,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “I want to thank Delmarva Power, DNREC and The WRK Group for the innovation they have shown as partners to help educate the community, especially our youth, on the benefits of sustainability and future career possibilities. This partnership is the perfect example of how we will build a stronger, healthier Delaware.”

“The Teen Warehouse has, in a very short time, become a focal point for idea sharing, innovative thinking and a desire to learn,” said Mayor Mike Purzycki. “The fact that it all happens in an environment that is energized by teens is both meaningful and hopeful. I am honored to be part of the announcement for this clean energy initiative and express my thanks to Delmarva Power (the city’s LED lighting technology partner) and DNREC (Wilmington’s partner for countless environmental achievements) for helping to transform teen learning and new skill sets into solutions that can benefit our neighborhoods and our city as a whole.”

“It is inspiring to see so many partners come together in a unified front with the goal of supporting our youth’s educational needs and the needs of the communities where we live and work,” said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power. “Energize The Warehouse is bringing cutting-edge technologies to our community and delivering an incredible hands-on learning opportunity for our local students. I hope we can help build a foundation for their future interests in clean energy technology and help them develop into the energy leaders we need moving forward.”

“Together with businesses and community partners such as The Warehouse, Delaware is transitioning to cleaner transportation and renewable energy sources that will reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Additionally, not only will this project result in The Warehouse saving money on energy costs, but it will also provide opportunities for young adults and local colleges to work with solar technology and learn about its benefits.”

“We’re pleased to be working with The Warehouse on the addition of their new vehicle to grid bus,” said Willett Kempton, professor at the University of Delaware. “This technology provides The Warehouse flexibility in their energy usage from utilizing stored energy from the bus to supporting the regional power grid. I see this technology becoming increasingly important both locally and nationally, and I’m grateful that we get to partner with such an innovative organization as The Warehouse.”

“Indoor farming has great potential to provide local produce year-round using less energy and water – supporting decarbonization in the agriculture industry,” said Rob Chapman, senior vice president of Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions for EPRI. “EPRI’s indoor agriculture research bolsters sustainable communities while educating project collaborators, local stakeholders, and the next generation of farmers.”

“We are very excited to partner with the Teen Warehouse, Delmarva Power and EPRI on the Ag Pod,” said Jessica Wescott, founder and executive director of Planting to Feed. “We believe access to quality foods should be a right and not a determinant of your ZIP code. Emerging technologies like the Ag Pod will help to eliminate barriers to quality foods in a sustainable way.”

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

About Delmarva Power
Delmarva Power is a unit of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation’s leading energy provider, with approximately 10 million customers. Delmarva Power provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 532,000 electric customers in Delaware and Maryland and approximately 136,000 natural gas customers in northern Delaware.

About The Warehouse
The Warehouse is a service delivery partner of REACH Riverside Development Corporation and operates with a “For Teens, By Teens” culture that is youth driven and adult led. It brings together more than 140 youth-serving partner organizations to provide a variety of programs focused on recreation, education, arts, career, and health. For more information on The Warehouse visit www.teenwarehouse.org or follow us on social media.

Media Contacts:
DNREC: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

Delmarva Power: Timothy Stokes, 866-655-2237 (media hotline)

The Warehouse: Melody Phillips, mphillips@teenwarehouse.org