March 23, 2009

Gov. Markell Joins Sens. Carper and Kaufman to Announce $38 Million to Increase Delaware’s Energy Efficiency

Senators, Governor make announcement at Newark Solar Panel Company

WILMINGTON – Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman (both D-Del.) and Gov. Jack Markell (D-Del.) joined together Monday to announce how nearly $38 million in federal funding to help make Delaware homes and businesses more energy efficient. The three elected officials appeared at CMI Electric, a solar panel producing small business that will benefit from the new federal funds, which comes from the recently passed economic recovery package.

Two Delaware agencies – the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) – will receive $37,964,668 for energy programs from the recently passed economic recovery package that both senators supported. DHSS will receive $13,733,668 for weatherization, and DNREC will receive $24,231,000 for its state energy program.

With job losses, deficits, and high energy prices sending Delaware's economy downward, the three top elected officials talked about what these new recovery funds will mean for Delaware, including creating and protecting jobs, and helping Delawareans make their homes and businesses more energy efficient.

“The only way we are going to get our economy going again is by creating jobs and getting Delawareans back to work,” said Gov. Markell. “The energy and weatherization funding in the economic recovery package will help us address the significant economic and environmental challenges we face. People often tell me that it is impossible to both help the environment and grow the economy at the same time. I am looking forward to proving them wrong.”

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $13.7 million directly to Delaware for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps homeowners weatherize their homes to cut their energy costs,” Sen. Carper said. “In Delaware, some 2,000 households already have qualified for weatherization assistance, and await funding for their energy efficiency improvements to lower their energy costs and improve the safety of their homes. While priority is given to seniors, assistance is provided to lower income families.”

“The biggest reason I supported the economic recovery package was to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs and replace those we’re losing,” Sen. Kaufman said. “CMI is a perfect example of what we’re trying to accomplish. They’re not only creating jobs – they’re doing it while helping Delawareans achieve a critical goal: reducing our carbon footprint and making us energy independent.”