$300,000 Grant to continue successful program in New Castle County

Wilmington, DE – Energize Delaware announced today that the Empowerment Grant Program (EGP), funded by the Exelon Merger for Delmarva Power Customers in Delaware, is awarding a renewal grant of  $300,000 to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle. Habitat for Humanity will use these grant funds continue a refrigerator replacement program which was originally funded $500,000 in 2020.

In the 2020 the Empowerment Grant provided funding to HFH of New Castle County, and working with their Central Delaware and Sussex County partner Habitat agencies at ReStore locations across the state on an innovative program to provide improved efficiency, reliability, and energy savings to Delaware income qualified residents. The highly successful program has removed 360 old inefficient refrigerators, recycled them and replaced them with highly efficient units. This statewide collaboration resulted in a savings of approximately 432,875 kWh over an 18-month period, while delivering an average of $127 in yearly savings for qualified Delmarva Customers.

The renewal funding is designed to continue the program in New Castle County, concentrating efforts in underserved communities around the county and the city of Wilmington. Efforts will be on replacing 286 older inefficient refrigerators with ENERGY STAR Certified refrigerators. The program will run out of New Castle County ReStore locations. Additional emphasis will be made to coordinate the program with current restoration programs in the county and cross market the opportunity with other community non-profits, organizations and houses of faith.

“The refrigerator replacement program has proven to be one of the most impactful and successful programs funded by the Empowerment Grant”, said Jim Purcell, Grant Manager for the Empowerment Grant. Purcell also added, “the extension of this program, alignment with other potential energy savings programs will play a large part in helping to ease energy burden in our low-moderate income communities for years to come”.

Additional program details about the EGP, including program qualifications, requirements and how to submit proposals, can be found at: www.empowergrantde.org.  A Facebook page – @EmpowerGrantDE; and a Twitter account – @EmpowerGrantDE; are also available for public interaction and information.

About Empowerment Grant 

Energize Delaware was selected to be the grant manager for $4 million in funds designated for low-income energy efficient programs for Delmarva Power customers. The funds originated from the Exelon\Delmarva Power Merger Settlement approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission. Energize Delaware will distribute the funds competitively to organizations capable of delivering energy efficiency programs to low-income customers over a three-year period. Two distinct energy efficiency programs will be funded. Large-Scale energy efficiency programs and Community-Scale programs. Additional program details, including program qualifications, requirements and how to submit proposals can be found on the EGP website: www.empowergrantde.org.  A Facebook page – @EmpowerGrantDE; and a Twitter account – @EmpowerGrantDE; are also available for public interaction and information.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity in Delaware is comprised of three distinct organizations that seek to put God’s love into action by building homes, community and hope. Combined they have served nearly 1,000 families in Delaware with housing solutions including homeownership for first time homebuyers, repairs for existing low-income homeowners and neighborhood improvements. Habitat for Humanity is an international movement seeking to ensure that everyone has a simple, decent place to live. The three HFH’s in Delaware are also committed to Habitat International’s work around the world tithing close to $1,500,000 to overseas operations and traveling to host countries to build homes.

About Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County

Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC) has built 263 homes and provided over 300 critical repairs for low-income homeowners. HFHNCC is committed to changing lives and landscapes by providing affordable homeownership solutions for low-income families, conducting financial literacy and home maintenance education for families in its homeownership program, engaging with residents for neighborhood revitalization, and providing free critical home repairs to preserve existing homeownership.  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

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Photo Caption: Presentation of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County $300,000 Check (L to R): Jim Purcell, Empowerment Grant Director of Programs and Funds; Rick Peterson, Director of ReStores; Gina, Nurse of Recipient; Laurie Greene, RRP Recipient; Glenn Moore, Delmarva Power’s New Castle Region Vice President; Haly Laasme, LIHEAP Program Manager; Mai Pannah, HFHNCC Refrigerator Replacement Program Coordinator; Beverly Ward, HFHNCC Senior Director of Programs; Kathi Barber, HFHNCC Director of Development