5 Search Results for "mcdowell"

• DE Striving to make TOP 10

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    DELAWARE ANSWERS CHALLENGE TO MAKE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ‘TOP 10’
    
    New Report shows state energy efficiency ranking improves; SEU spotlights connection to new jobs, and improvements in the economy and environment
    
    Delaware was designated one of the “most improved” states in an energy efficiency scorecard released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).  While good news, Sen. Harris McDowell, co-chair of the Sustainable Energy Utility’s (SEU) Energize Delaware said the state must and can do much better.
    
    “Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources are the gateway to creating more new jobs, reviving the economy, and improving the environment,” said McDowell, who welcomed the challenge from Gov. Markell to move higher in the report’s rankings. “Delaware is in a race to the ACEEE report card’s ‘top ten’ and we can do it.”
    
    Now in its second month the SEU’s Energize Delaware program is a one-stop resource to help Delawareans save money by cutting energy waste and tapping clean energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal. The SEU’s Energize Delaware aims to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent by 2015, cut CO2 emissions by 33 percent by 2020, and create thousands of new jobs.
    
    According to the 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released this week each of the 50 states were ranked in six categories to measure their efforts to make the most of energy efficiency as the first, best, and cheapest way to realize savings, meet demand and foster economic growth. Delaware moved up from 32 to 20 since last year’s report, the most improved of any other state.
    
    Sen. McDowell noted that the path to the top ten ranking is well marked. Per capita Delaware uses more energy than any of its neighboring states and pays more for its energy.
    
    Programs offering residents and businesses the opportunity to save money and energy include the SEU’s “Energize Delaware” Appliance Rebate Program, which provides rebates ranging from $25-$100 for ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dehumidifiers. A rebate form can be downloaded at www.energizedelaware.org.  More programs are scheduled to roll out in the coming months, including a commercial and industrial lighting incentive program, renewable energy grants for homeowners and businesses, and community-level and home performance initiatives to maximize and combine renewable energy and efficiency.
    
    Several state and municipal governments are studying Delaware’s comprehensive approach to achieving significant energy and dollar savings, job creation, and improvements to the environment.

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    Energize Delaware is an initiative of the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), a unique nonprofit organization created to foster a sustainable energy future for the state. Under the program banner of Energize Delaware, residents and businesses in Delaware will have a single point of contact for education, resources and programs that will include low and no‐cost steps to save thousands on energy bills, boost the economy and improve the environment through new clean energy sources. The Energize Delaware programs will focus on conservation, efficiencies and the use of renewable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal. www.energizedelaware.org

     

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  • 4 weeks ago
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• Cash Back for ENERGY STAR® Qua

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    DELAWARE APPLIANCE REBATE PROGRAM SAVES MONEY AND ENERGY 
    Cash Back for ENERGY STAR® Qualified Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers and Dehumidifiers 
    
    (WILMINGTON, DE) – Delawareans interested in energizing their savings on their energy bills now have a new incentive to upgrade their older, energy-sapping appliances for new, high-efficiency models. Today the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility’s (SEU) “Energize Delaware” initiative is providing mail-in rebates ranging from $25-$100 for ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dehumidifiers.
    
    The SEU’s Energize Delaware Appliance Rebate is the first of many programs to help Delawareans save money, create new jobs and protect the environment. The Delaware SEU is a non-profit, one stop resource to help residents and businesses save money by conserving energy, and tapping clean energy sources like solar, geothermal and wind.
    
    “The appliance rebate program offers Delaware residents a win-win-win proposition,” said Sen. Harris McDowell, whose legislation created the SEU. “There are environmental benefits, energy-efficiency benefits, and significant pocketbook benefits.”
    
    Old appliances are some of the biggest energy users in homes, and replacing the old with more efficient models can save customers hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills. If every household in Delaware had a 2009 ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator instead of a standard model, the lifetime savings in our state would be more than $49 million.  The kilowatts saved would be enough to supply electricity to nearly 250,000 homes in Delaware for a year.
    
    The rebates offered through the SEU’s Energize Delaware Appliance Rebate Program include:
    
    Refrigerators – $100 for qualified ENERGY STAR® models. Customers usually select a new refrigerator based on the design (top freezer, side-by-side, etc.). The $100 rebate is designed to help the customer to make a selection that combines the preferred style with ENERGY STAR® qualifications.
    
    Freezers – $50 for qualified ENERGY STAR® models. The rebate is also designed to help customers realize they can find their choice in a high-efficiency model.
    
    Clothes Washers – $75 for qualified front-load, ENERGY STAR® models. The savings on ENERGY STAR® front load washers is the highest of all the typical household appliances due to the energy savings of the unit and the hot water heater as well as the water usage.
    
    Clothes Washers – $50 for qualified top-load, ENERGY STAR® models. These washers are nearly as efficient as front-load washers
    
    Dehumidifiers – $25 for qualified ENERGY STAR® models. These dehumidifiers save energy, and by buying the right size model for your home can help reduce heating and cooling costs by taking high moisture content out of the air.
    
    Additional appliances will be eligible for the rebate program early next year.  The SEU is also looking into a recycling program to ensure inefficient models are pulled out of service. Currently Delawareans won’t need to turn in their old appliances to benefit from the program.
    
    To get their rebates, consumers can go to www.energizedelaware.org and print the rebate form or visit any of the 50-plus participating appliance retail stores throughout Delaware. Stores will continue to sign up for the program throughout the month of September.  Upon making their qualifying purchase, consumers will fill out a rebate form and send the completed form along with the printed sales receipt to the address on the form. Once the application has been submitted and approved, consumers should expect a debit card with their rebate amount within 4 – 6 weeks. The rebate card makes it easy for consumers to immediately access and use their rebate dollars without having to cash a check. A toll-free number, 877-624-4448 has been established to respond to information requests. Consumers can find additional details about the program at www.energizedelaware.org.
    
    The appliance rebate program is particularly well suited for Delaware.  Research commissioned by the SEU to identify the best opportunities to save money found that two-thirds of homeowners want to improve their home efficiency, but only 42 percent have plans to do so.  Money was cited as the biggest barrier.
    
    “We know if Delaware’s residents and businesses are given the information and the tools to save money and energy, improve the economy and find new sources of green energy, they will do their part,” said Dr. John Byrne, SEU Board Co-Chair. “The timing could not be better or more urgent. By leveraging state, federal and private bond money and incentives, the SEU will be able to reduce or remove many of the barriers that currently prevent Delawareans from taking action to save money and energy.”
    
    Other new Energize Delaware programs designed to help residents and businesses save money and energy, create new jobs and improve the economy and environment will start to rollout this fall. They include::
    
    Commercial/Industrial Lighting, which will offer incentives for high efficiency lighting installations and retrofits.
    
    Renewable Energy Grants, which will assist  homeowners and businesses with renewable energy resources . 
    
    Sustainable Communities Initiative, a community-level program to combine renewable energy and efficiency.
    
    Comprehensive Home Performance Initiative, providing a top-to-bottom approach to efficiency and clean energy sources in Delaware homes. This initiative is slated for 2010.
    
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    Energize Delaware is an initiative of the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), a unique non-profit offering a one-stop resource to help residents and businesses save money through clean energy and efficiency. The SEU was created by the state of Delaware to foster a sustainable energy future for the state. The SEU model is the first of its kind to be established in the U.S. Under the program banner of Energize Delaware, residents and businesses in Delaware will have a single point of contact for education, resources and programs that will include low and no-cost steps to save thousands on energy bills, boost the economy and improve the environment through new clean energy sources.  The Energize Delaware programs will focus on conservation, efficiencies and the use of renewable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal. It is supported by tax-exempt bonds, not Delaware taxpayer money, and will be self sustaining through savings in energy initiatives, and investing a portion of the federal economic stimulus package devoted to efficiency and renewable energy.

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  • 2 months ago
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• SEU Announces Energize Delawar

  • From: GreenDelaware
  • Description:

    SUSTAINABLE ENERGY UTILITY LAUNCHES ONE-STOP RESOURCE
    TO SAVE MONEY, CREATE JOBS AND HELP THE ENVIRONMENT 
    
    Residents and Businesses Can Save Thousands Through Education and Incentive Programs
    
    August 31, 2009  -  (WILMINGTON, DE) –Delawareans can soon save thousands on their energy bills through a one-stop resource providing low- and no-cost steps to save money, create jobs and improve the environment. Today the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) launched the new “Energize Delaware” campaign to help residents improve the efficiency of their homes and businesses and tap new clean energy sources. New research commissioned by the SEU points the way to the most effective payoffs: educating the public and targeting actions toward the biggest return on investment.
    
    “Sustainable energy is the largest, cheapest, cleanest way to save money and create in-state jobs,” said Sen. Harris McDowell, whose legislation created the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU). “A tough economy is exactly the right time to take aggressive action toward a sustainable energy future, and everyone can reap the benefits. Through the SEU’s Energize Delaware Program, we can be a model for the rest of the nation and world to follow.”
    
    Starting September 2009, Energize Delaware, an initiative of the non-profit Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) will provide businesses and residents financial incentives and an online toolbox that provides information and guidance to help Delawareans achieve the biggest return on investment for their energy dollars.
    
    Programs to be launched throughout the Fall of 2009 will include:

    • ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebates, providing “cash for clunkers” type incentives for homeowners to replace energy-gorging old appliances with updated high efficiency household appliances.
    • Commercial/Industrial Lighting, which will include rebates for businesses installing high efficiency lighting.
    • Renewable Energy Grants, which will include rebates for renewable energy sources located at home and business sites.
    • Sustainable Communities Initiative, a community-level program to combine renewable energy and efficiency.
    • Comprehensive Home Performance Initiative, providing a top-to-bottom approach to efficiency and clean energy sources in Delaware homes. This initiative is slated for 2010.

    Research findings
    
    The program offerings were based on SEU research released today, which provides a comprehensive, zip-code level snapshot of energy use in the state and surveys Delawareans’ attitudes toward sustainable energy. The findings pinpoint the opportunities to save money, energy and tap new clean energy sources:

    • 41 percent of homes in the state are more than 30 years old. Simply sealing and insulating these homes could save up to 30 percent or about $700 on heating and cooling bills.
    • Two-thirds of homeowners identified a need to make one or more energy efficiency improvements, but only 42 percent plan to take action. Similar gaps persist among business owners.
    • Homeowners and businesses cite lack of money as the number one barrier to achieving more energy efficient homes and businesses and tapping clean energy sources.
    • Refrigeration represents 65 percent of energy use in Delaware grocery stores and restaurants. Upgrades could save up to 35 percent on annual utility bills.
    • Delaware hospitals and clinics use more energy per square foot in lighting than any other type of commercial space. More efficient light bulbs provide just as much and sometimes better light at a significantly lower cost.

    
    With a median age of 49 years, Delaware school buildings represent a host of savings opportunities.  Inefficient space heating and cooling consumes 47 percent of energy use in schools. Heating and air conditioning upgrades would keep students and teachers comfortable and save taxpayers money.  The effort can also provide students with a valuable model for responsible citizenship.
    
    Research also found a common lack of knowledge and money to take action in areas that represent the largest return on investment. When asked to list in priority order desired ways to improve home energy performance, Delawareans surveyed prioritize them as follows: more efficient air conditioning; more efficient heating, insulation, new windows and a water heater upgrade. Although all of these will save money, upgraded insulation is often the most cost-effective first step.
    
    “Per capita, Delaware uses more energy than any of its neighboring states and pays more for its energy.” said Dr. John Byrne, Univ. of Delaware professor and SEU Board Co-Chair. “Today we have the opportunity to not only reverse this condition, but pioneer a much smarter way of doing business.”

    Helping Delaware Capitalize on Savings, Job Creation and Cleaner
    
    SEU’s Energize Delaware programs for residents and businesses are all focused on reaching a set of ambitious goals, including:

    • An average 30 percent reduction in energy consumption for each participant by 2015.
    • A 33 percent cut in CO2 emissions by 2020.
    • By 2019, installing over 300 MW of customer-sited renewable energy – including geothermal, wind, solar, electric and solar thermal – a at homes and businesses

    
    “By aggressively pursuing energy conservation and efficiency and adopting clean, renewable sources of power, we can strengthen our economy, improve our competitiveness, and create a more sustainable environment,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara.  “The SEU’s Energize Delaware has the potential to help thousands of residents and businesses save money and stabilize their energy costs, while creating thousands of jobs and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”
    
    SEU’s Energize Delaware will use no Delaware taxpayer money. It is a nonprofit supported by tax-exempt bonds and will be self sustaining through savings in energy initiatives and investing a portion of the federal economic stimulus package devoted to efficiency and renewable energy. The SEU will track both energy savings and program budgets in monthly public reports.
    
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    Energize Delaware is an initiative of the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), a unique nonprofit organization created to foster a sustainable energy future for the state. Under the program banner of Energize Delaware, residents and businesses in Delaware will have a single point of contact for education, resources and programs that will include low and no-cost steps to save thousands on energy bills, boost the economy and improve the environment through new clean energy sources. The Energize Delaware programs will focus on conservation, efficiencies and the use of renewable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal. www.energizedelaware.org

     
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  • 3 months ago
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• Energy Committee of NCSL

  • From: GreenTV
  • Description:

    Senator Harris McDowell hopes to bring sustainability to the forefront at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Philadelphia.

  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 150
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• Sustainable Energy Utility

  • From: GreenTV
  • Description:

    Senator Harris McDowell tells how the SEU will provide immediate relief to consumers.

  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 528