DNREC announces public meeting dates for Draft State Energy Plan

Delaware residents will have the chance to learn about the strategies included in the latest Draft State Energy Plan update at public information meetings scheduled this month in each county. The State Energy Office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has been updating the energy plan over the past year, with public input playing a crucial role in its development.

“Feedback from the public who attended meetings or completed online surveys helped shape the strategies outlined in the Plan, shifting toward a more resilient  and reliable electric grid and identifying actions Delaware can take to achieve state greenhouse gas reduction targets in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change,” he said.

Four workgroups within the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council (GEAC), tasked with advising the State Energy Office on the plan update, conducted a series of meetings from June to December last year to gather input on what should be included in the plan. The workgroups focused on Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies, Energy Efficiency and Electrification, Grid Modernization, and Environmental Justice and Energy Equity.

The workgroups combined drafted more than 250 recommendations, 82 of which were sent to the full Council. All of those were approved by a majority vote.

Visitors can arrive at any time during the two-hour events, browse the displays and learn about the State Energy Plan update from DNREC State Energy Office staff.

The draft energy plan public information meetings will be held:

• Tuesday, Aug.13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Cheer Community Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown
• Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Avenue, New Castle
• Thursday, Aug. 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover.