The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy will conduct a public hearing on grid resilience formula grant funding from Section 40101(d) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Docket #2023-MISC-CCE-0002). The public hearing is required by the U.S. Department of Energy to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on Delaware’s funding proposal under Section 40101(d) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Section 40101(d) grants are to be used for “activities, technologies, equipment, and hardening measures to reduce the likelihood and consequences of disruptive events.” The Section 40101(d) allocation for Delaware is $1,467,476 annually for five years to be distributed to utilities for grid investments and requires a 15 percent state match. States may use 5 percent of the annual allocation for administrative expenses or technical assistance. States are required to set aside grant amounts for utilities with no more than 4,000,000 MWh in sales based on the number of customers served. The law requires a subgrantee match of 100 percent from large utilities; subgrantees that sell no more than 4,000,000 MWh in sales need only provide a match of one-third of the grant amount. These match requirements are separate from the 15 percent state match requirement. A committee has been formed to review guidelines and define objectives, metrics, and criteria for use of the grant funding.

For additional information on the above matter and to review the documents describing the grant funding requirements, visit de.gov/dnrechearings or contact Heather Hubbard, Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, at 100 W. Water St, Suite 10B, Dover, DE 19904, by phone at (302) 735-3352, or by email at heather.hubbard@delaware.gov.

The virtual public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The web link to the virtual hearing can be accessed through the DNREC Public Hearings site at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted, use Meeting ID 919 6632 2771 and Passcode 747333. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1 305 224 1968 and enter the Meeting ID and Passcode noted above.

Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC virtual public hearings must pre-register no later than noon on the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9925.

The Department will also accept public comments through the close of business on Thursday, March 22, 2023. Comments pertaining to the above matter will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the following address:

Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer
Office of the Secretary
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901

Related Topics:  climate coastal energy, energy, grants, infrastructure, public comment, public hearing, public notice, resilience