We are confronted by signs of climate change every day, from warming temperatures to wildfires and unprecedented storms. Many experts agree an increase in human emissions has far-reaching consequences for the environment, which, without action, will continue to intensify.
Last June, the First State passed the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act, which aims to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Climate change is one of those challenges that we are not going to solve in little Delaware, but we can be part of the movement,” Gov. John Carney said at the bill-signing ceremony.
According to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Division of Air Quality report in 2018, transportation, industrial and electric power industries contribute at least 75% of our state’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The state has received over $175 million in federal funding to help reach these goals. Here’s a look at where the funds will be allocated:
- $10 million to weatherize housing units and provide workforce training through the Weatherization Assistance program
- $7 million to improve electric grids through the Grid Resiliency Grants program.
- $33 million to develop a Homeowner Managing Energy Savings rebate program.
- $33 million for low- and moderate-income consumer discounts on high-efficiency electric home appliances through the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate program.
- $809,000 to purchase three electric school buses for Colonial School District through the Clean School Bus program.
- $18 million to build electric vehicle charging stations along major highways through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
- $44 million to improve new bike and pedestrian infrastructure through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program.
- $27 million to reduce on-road transportation emissions through the Carbon Reduction program.
- $3 million to update the Climate Action Plan through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program.
“Our efforts to meet our ambitious and attainable goals have received a significant boost from the federal Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which are bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to Delaware for clean and renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, energy efficiency and land-conservation practices,” says Susan Love, climate and sustainability section administrator at DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy.
“[I]mplementing the Climate Action Plan is not just the responsibility of DNREC but all state agencies, working in cooperation with local and governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.”
Related: 6 Reasons Why Businesses and Individuals Should Move to Delaware
