Delaware
Sussex County solar farm to power 750 homes, supporting Delaware's clean energy targets
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For years, the energy powering Sussex County came from far beyond its borders — sent in through a vast network of infrastructure stretching across Delaware. But a new 9,000-module solar array built just off Trap Pond Road in Georgetown, Delaware marks a significant shift in how the state generates, distributes and democratizes electricity.
“We have very little in the way of generation in Sussex County,” said Democratic state Sen. Stephanie Hansen, who represents parts of Newcastle County.
Hansen said energy distribution from the solar farm will be much more efficient than relying on electricity sent from distant power plants.
“Most of the energy that we use comes from outside of our states, and most of the energy that we actually generate in-state comes from way north of here,” Hansen said. “That has to be transported down here … and it comes at, oftentimes, when it’s really hot, when it’s really cold — congestion pricing, where there are losses of the energy that you get from just traveling that distance.”
Now, with the launch of a new project by community solar developers Nautilus Solar Energy and TurningPoint Energy, Sussex County residents who wouldn’t have had access to rooftop solar can benefit from carbon-free energy and discounted rates. The site, located on a 35.6-acre property, will generate 4.7 megawatts of power and is surrounded by a 25-foot-wide landscaped buffer. It’s the first of six planned community solar installations that TurningPoint expects to develop, which would generate 30 megawatts of power across the state.
Power from the project will start flowing in a couple of months, benefitting roughly 750 households and small businesses. Low-income households will receive a 20% discount on their electric bills, while others will benefit from a 10% cut.
“Delaware did a very good job in how they designed this program,” said Eric LaMora, vice president of community solar for Nautilus. “Every project, at least 15% of the energy goes to benefit low-income households.”
Lamora said the company’s two other projects in the area will direct 50% of the power to Delmarva Power’s low-income customers.
Delaware’s community solar initiative is part of a broader climate strategy. Under its Climate Action Plan, the state has committed to sourcing 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035 — including a dedicated goal of 10% from solar. It also aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The project’s financing benefited from federal solar tax credits, which expanded under the Biden administration to help jump-start the green energy economy and tackle climate change. The program permits community solar project developers to pass savings on to low-income customers.
“[The tax credits] allow us to leverage our capital to build more projects offering discounted electricity to a greater number of households and support the growing demand for electricity,” LaMora said.
This library lets kids read books to dogs to practice fluency
PAWS for People brings therapy dogs to the Milton Public Library where kids can practice reading out loud and spend time with the dogs, Jan. 31, 2026.
Delaware has a several items that represent the state.
The First State has a state bird (Blue Hen chicken), a state flower (peach blossom), a state fish (weakfish) and a state dessert (peach pie). Delaware even has a state bug (ladybug), state wildlife (gray fox) and state butterfly (tiger swallowtail).
While all the symbols have their place, few tug at the heartstrings like the state dog.
What is Delaware’s state dog?
The state dog of Delaware is the rescue dog, which replaced the golden retriever in 2023.
Then-Gov. John Carney signed Senate Bill 37 into law in May 2023 to make the change. The designation was made to help bring attention to rescue animals in the hope of getting them adopted.
“That just elevates all animals in shelters,” Sara Smith, a Brandywine Valley SPCA spokesperson, said during an adoption event in 2024.
What are the country’s other state dogs?
Delaware is one of 16 states with official dogs.
- Alaska — Alaskan malamute
- Delaware — rescue dog
- Georgia — adoptable dog
- Louisiana — Catahoula leopard dog
- Maryland — Chesapeake Bay retriever
- Massachusetts — Boston terrier
- New Hampshire — Chinook
- New Jersey — seeing eye dog
- New York — working dogs
- North Carolina — Plott hound
- Pennsylvania — Great Dane
- South Carolina — Boykin spaniel
- Tennessee — bluetick coonhound
- Texas — Blue Lacy
- Virginia — American foxhound
- Wisconsin — American water spaniel
The widow of a Delaware state trooper killed in the line of duty last year has launched a foundation in his memory to support families of law enforcement officers.
Two months ago, Lauren Snook’s world looked different. Her husband, Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, a devoted father, husband, and friend, filled their house with laughter and love. Then in an instant, everything changed.
“He just went to work one day and didn’t get to come home,” Lauren told NBC10.
Two days before Christmas, Cpl/1 Snook, a 10-year veteran, was killed while working an overtime shift at the DMV in Wilmington, Delaware.
Lauren said that she was at their home, making salt dough ornaments in the kitchen with Letty, their 15-month-old daughter.
“When the two Tahoes pulled up out in front of my house. You know it, you see it in movies, you hear about it, and I knew. But I didn’t want to, and it took about 7 times for them to tell me he’s gone,” Lauren shared.
Lauren said the life they built together is now marked by a painful reality, learning to live without him. She clings to the memories and a bear with his uniform that Letty calls “Dada Bear.”
“On a quiet day, it’s totally ugly. I’ll grab his clothes that no longer have his scent, wear them, hold them, cry in his closet, grab his deodorant, dryer sheets, his cologne and make this scent cocktail, and I’m like bring me Ty back for a second and I’ll look at pictures, and then I look over at that cute little girl and see her smile and immediately see him because they share the same smile,” said Lauren.
Lauren explains that the grief isn’t just in the big moments; it’s in the quiet ones, too. She said Letty can feel it also.
“She knows. She waits by the baby gate at the top of the stairs. She grabs his shoes and sits in them so she knows. Before she knows her name,” Lauren said.
Lauren said that following Cpl/1 Snook’s death, she leaned on her faith and the support from others to help her through it.
“People have given so much of themselves, their heart to us, it’s a gift I know I can never repay, but it’s forever touched and shaped who I am,” said Lauren.
Through heartbreak, Lauren is choosing to turn pain into purpose by starting the “Ty Snook Foundation,” a community for families and children of law enforcement officers navigating life after losing a parent.
Lauren said, “Headlines fade, people go back to real life, but this is going to be Letty’s forever, it’s forever going to shape who she is, and I’m a firm believer that the community shaped us, and she needs her own community to talk about loss.”
GEORGETOWN, Del. – The Delaware Department of Correction is seeking the public’s help locating an escaped offender.
54-year-old Adam Blades reportedly walked away from the Sussex Community Corrections Center in Georgetown after failing to return from an approved work pass.
The offender’s whereabouts are unknown and unauthorized at this time.
Community Corrections Centers are Level 4 facilities where the Department of Correction manages offenders who are transitioning back into the community.
These centers are not secured like Level 5 prisons, as offenders are permitted to leave the facility to go to work, seek jobs, or attend approved treatment sessions.
Anyone with information on Blades is asked to call 800-542-9524 or their local police department.
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