Input Sought on Delaware’s Climate Action Plan

Virtual Workshop Series Kicks Off This Week, Online Survey Open

DNREC kicks off a series of virtual public workshops this week aimed at getting feedback on potential actions the state can take to best prepare for climate change.

The workshops, which support the development of Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, come on the heels of a recently-released technical report that projects greenhouse gas emission levels in the state over the next three decades. The report shows that if no further actions are taken, Delaware will fall short of its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28% by 2025 from 2005 levels.

The report, prepared for DNREC as part of Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, also shows that by implementing certain emissions reduction actions, Delaware can not only exceed its 2025 goal, but also make notable progress toward longer-term reductions.

Numerous peer-reviewed studies indicate that about 97% of climate scientists worldwide agree that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are a major driver of the climate change we see today. In line with this scientific consensus, the virtual workshop series will look at how Delaware can minimize its greenhouse gas emissions, as well maximize its resilience to the climate change impacts we’re already experiencing.

The first workshop in the series, which will examine strategies the state can take to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, takes place Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. The workshop will be repeated Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Other workshops in the series include:

  • Sept. 24, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Workshop No. 2 – Maximizing Resilience to Sea Level Rise
  • Sept. 29, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Workshop No. 3 – Maximizing Resilience to Increased Temperatures
  • Oct. 1, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Workshop No. 4 – Maximizing Resilience to Heavy Precipitation and Flooding

The workshops will include interactive activities to help facilitate input from participants.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend one or more workshops in the series. Attendance at one workshop is not required for attendance at another, but registration is required for each workshop.

The workshops will be recorded and posted on declimateplan.org. For those unable to participate in the workshops, an interactive online survey is also available on declimateplan.org to provide input on possible climate change solutions for Delaware. The survey will remain open through October 15.

All the workshops will be held virtually via Zoom, a video and telephone conferencing system that is free to use. Instructions for how to download and use Zoom will be sent to registered participants prior to each workshop.

For more information about the public workshop series, or to learn more about climate change in Delaware, visit declimateplan.org.

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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DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects

Public Workshops Scheduled for Sept. 17 and 24

Delaware communities adversely affected by environmental pollution can now apply for Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) restoration grants for the 2021 grant cycle. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has scheduled two virtual public workshops focused on the CEPF program and how to apply for the grants.

The virtual workshops will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, and Thursday, Sept. 24. Connection information for the workshops is posted on the Delaware public meeting calendar and on the Community Environmental Project Fund web page. Pre-registration is suggested, but not required for participation.

The Delaware General Assembly created the Community Environmental Project Fund in 2004 to fund restoration projects in communities impacted by environmental pollution. Grant funding is available to affected communities for projects that result in:

  • Reduced pollution
  • Enhanced natural resources
  • Enhanced recreational opportunities

Projects supported by the fund must be in the same drainage basin as the violation for which a fine was collected. Applicants can identify the drainage basin location of their projects with this tool.

Recent past CEPF projects statewide have included a habitat restoration and scrap tire cleanup, a pollenating rain garden at a school, healthy home and energy assessments, a museum trail project, an energy savings model home for a low income community, a native plantings project to mitigate stormwater runoff, educational signage for a stormwater management site, funding to support plastic pollution education and a floating dock and canoe/kayak project that provides recreational access and helps stabilize canal banks.

IRS tax-exempt organizations are eligible for CEPF grants of up to $25,000. These groups include civic and community organizations, educational institutions, counties, municipal governments, state agencies and quasi-state agencies. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. The projects funded in this grant cycle can begin on July 1, 2021 and should be completed by June 30, 2022.

To register or for more information about the workshops, contact DNREC Community Ombudsman James Brunswick, Division of Community Affairs, at 302-739-9040 or James.Brunswick@delaware.gov.

The grant application, workshop details and more information about the Community Environmental Project Fund are available online at de.gov/cepf.

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 DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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DNREC to Hold Virtual Public Workshop Sept. 9 to Discuss Delaware’s Plastic Bag Ban and Regulation Development

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host a virtual public workshop next month to discuss the State’s plastic bag ban and introduce draft At-Store Recycling Program Regulations. The informal workshop will offer the public an opportunity to better understand the changes and also provide feedback on the draft regulations which will be used to implement and support this program.

Facilitated by DNREC’s Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances’ Compliance and Permitting Section, the virtual workshop will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

The proposed regulations will allow the Department discuss the bag ban as well as improve the At-Store Recycling Program, discuss which stores will be impacted and what that impact will look like, and to ensure collection programs at stores for plastic carry out bags and plastic film are consistent with the law.

DNREC encourages all interested parties to attend, including residents, store owners and managers, waste service providers, retailers, recycling processors, plastic bag manufacturers, and environmental organizations.

The plastic bag ban and at-store recycling program video conferencing workshop can be accessed from the online DNREC calendar.

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 Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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Virtual Workshops Set for Delaware Climate Action Plan

Public Input Sought on Climate Change Solutions

Identifying specific strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the impacts of climate change Delaware is already experiencing will be the topics of a series of virtual public workshops planned for September and October.

Delaware is developing a Climate Action Plan aimed at minimizing greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change while maximizing the state’s resilience to the current climate impacts we’re already experiencing, including sea level rise, temperature increases and flooding.

The workshops will be presented as a series of four virtual public input sessions designed to solicit feedback on specific strategies Delaware can take to address climate change. They will include interactive activities to help participants explore possible solutions to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and maximize resilience.

The first workshop will examine specific strategies the state can take toward minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, building off initial workshops held in March and a consultant’s technical analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware. This workshop will be offered on two separate occasions to enable greater participation, but workshop content will be the same.

The remaining three workshops will consider strategies the state can take to maximize Delaware’s resilience to climate impacts. Each of these three workshops will be offered once and will focus on a different climate change impact: sea level rise, increased temperatures, and heavy precipitation and flooding.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend one or more workshops in the series. Attendance at one workshop is not required for attendance at another.
The schedule of virtual workshops includes:

  • Sept. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Workshop No.1 – Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Sept. 17, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Repeat of Workshop No. 1 – Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Sept. 24, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Workshop No. 2 – Maximizing Resilience to Sea Level Rise
  • Sept. 29, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Workshop No. 3 – Maximizing Resilience to Increased Temperatures
  • Oct. 1, 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Workshop No. 4 – Maximizing Resilience to Heavy Precipitation and Flooding

All the workshops will be held virtually via Zoom, a video and telephone conferencing system that is free to use. Registration for the workshops is required. Instructions for how to download and use Zoom will be sent to registered participants prior to each workshop. Register at declimateplan.org.

The workshops will be recorded and posted on declimateplan.org. For those unable to participate in the workshops, an interactive online survey will be available to provide comments and ideas on possible climate change solutions for Delaware.

For more information about the virtual public workshop series, or to learn more about climate change in Delaware, visit declimateplan.org.

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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