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Delaware’s first natural gas energy efficiency program makes headway

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Delaware’s first natural gas energy efficiency program makes headway


The Delaware Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), aiming to help Delawareans reduce energy loss and cost through energy efficiency programs, convened on Wednesday to discuss energy efficiency program and research updates.

Chesapeake Utilities Energy Conservation Manager Derrick Craig presented on new developments with Delaware’s first natural gas energy efficiency program after facing legal challenges.

He said the energy efficiency program is aimed at reducing carbon emissions and fostering more sustainability throughout Delaware.

The program was filed with the Delaware Public Service Commission in September 2023 but has been facing legal setbacks ever since.

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The Division of the Public Advocate filed a petition to intervene toward the end of 2023, but Craig said he could not provide too many details on the nature of the lawsuit.

“There was some concern about the Standard Offer Program, whether it really was going to be able to provide what was needed for the commercial and industrial customers, as well as whether there was a need for it. In addition, there were some discussions as far as the calculations that the rate recovery was based on,” he said.

The Standard Offer Program would provide flexibility to corporations seeking funding for cost-effective energy efficient projects that may not be financially viable otherwise.

Craig said while the evidentiary hearing is set to take place next week, a settlement in principle was reached among the parties a week ago, so he is hopeful a new program will be submitted in the near future.

EEAC also heard a report from energy consultancy ILLUME, which looked into the capability of adopting new energy codes in Delaware.

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Consultant Arianna Zrzavy said the goal of the study was to understand the challenges and opportunities for achieving Delaware’s net zero capable construction targets.

The group interviewed 16 stakeholders, including state code officials, builders and engineers, third party raters and Delaware realtors.

Zrzavy says builders and engineers largely reported not considering energy code changes to be disruptive, but would appreciate more explanations on why changes need to be made.

“We heard that struggling to understand why code changes were being made and what benefits code changes would bring to the end user was something that is very helpful for builders and sometimes vendors to understand, and that would ease the transition potentially during the next energy code update,” she said.

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Principal Planner for Energy Policy Thomas Noyes said the state is currently putting a lot of work into energy codes, and they will use this study to better inform how they communicate new building standards in the future.

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.

PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.

Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.

READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning

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“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.

He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.

Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley

“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”

At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.

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“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.

Customers were already stocking up.

“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.

Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.

“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.

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PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising


Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.



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Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say

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Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say


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A 77-year-old man died following a two-car crash near Hartly on the morning of Dec. 10, Delaware State Police said.

The man, from the Dover area, has not been identified by police pending family notification.

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According to police reports, the man was driving a Honda Accord east on Judith Road approaching Hartly Road about 9 a.m., as an 18-year-old woman was driving a Ford Focus south on Hartly Road approaching Judith Road.

Police reported that a preliminary investigation shows the Honda moved from the stop sign into the Ford’s path, causing a collision.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, from Hartly, was treated at the scene. Police said she refused to be taken to a hospital.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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