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Office of the Governor
JOHN CARNEY

Fighting Climate Change in Delaware


 

It takes all of us working together to address the existential threat of climate change in our communities.

 

That’s why Governor Carney prioritized efforts to address climate change by curbing emissions, increasing reliance on non-carbon and renewable energy sources, and working to preserve natural and working lands. 

We set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Governor Carney, members of the General Assembly, and key state agencies are working to address this issue with a careful and comprehensive approach.

Governor Carney addresses a crowd from behind a podium while a group of people stands behind him and in front of an array of solar panels.

Several Cyprus trees growing in a swamp at Lums Pond State Park.


Dune grass at the beach.

Governor Carney delivers remarks from behind a podium, while an ASL intrepreter stands off to the side. On the podium is the state seal and a sign that reads Fighting Climate Change in Delaware.

Climate Action Plan

In 2021, Governor Carney released the Climate Action Plan (CAP) – Delaware’s playbook to guide state agencies in the development of best practices, programs, policies, and regulations to mitigate factors that contribute to climate change while increasing resilience across sectors.

Leading with a whole of government approach, state agencies in Delaware will designate a climate change officer to participate in ongoing Climate Action Plan processes and deliverables. These officers will help shape balanced approaches to meet these climate change goals:

  • Expanding access to clean and renewable energy.
  • Reevaluating our transportation infrastructure.
  • Supporting communities and stakeholders.
  • Promoting research and monitoring progress.

 

Learn more about Delaware’s Climate Action Plan.


Clean Transportation

An electric DART bus.

The transportation sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Delaware. That’s why Governor Carney’s Administration is:

  • Creating a roadmap to guide the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Building out infrastructure by adding electric charging stations along major traffic corridors and transforming bus fleets to electric and hydrogen.
  • Supporting DART First State (DART) and the Delaware Transit Corporation as they use federal grants to expand their electric bus fleet.
  • Using DNREC’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program to incentivize an affordable transition to EVs.
Energy Transformation

Electric vehicle chargers ready to be used.

Delaware is making strides to expand its green energy infrastructure by:

  • Leaning on the expertise of the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council (GEAC), whose members are responsible for providing recommendations to the State Energy Office on Delaware’s energy plan update.
  • Optimizing federal dollars and encouraging private investments in renewable and clean energy options to ensure diversification of energy sources and reliability of Delaware’s energy supply.
  • Ensuring that energy efficiency measures are accessible to Delawareans.
Natural and Working Lands

An ariel view of Betts Pond, with a road running over the dam.

Preserving Delaware’s natural and working lands plays an important role in the state’s carbon sequestration efforts:

 

 

Protecting our Environment

 


Legislative Action

Climate Solutions Act - House Bill 99

Sponsored by Representative Deb Heffernan and Senator Stephanie Hansen

  • Establishes a statutory target of greenhouse gas emission reductions of 50% by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050.
  • Establishes a process to regularly update the Climate Action Plan to serve as a framework to achieve the targeted emission reductions.
Clean Vehicle Rebate Program - House Bill 12

Sponsored by Representative Sophie Phillips and Senator Sarah McBride 

State Energy Office - Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 7

Sponsored by Senator Stephanie Hansen and Representative Deb Heffernan

  • Codifies the duties of the State Energy Office within the DNREC.
  • Commits the State Energy Office to provide the administrative support to the GEAC. 

 

 



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