Emissions Reduction: Waste

The waste sector accounts for a small share of Delaware’s greenhouse gas emissions – about 3% in 2021 – but remains an important part of the state’s path to net-zero. Delaware manages all of its waste within state borders through landfills, recycling facilities and wastewater treatment plants. Emissions from this sector are primarily methane and

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Emissions Reduction: Forests and Urban Trees

Forests and urban trees cover nearly one-third of Delaware’s land area and provide critical benefits for wildlife habitat, clean water and community well-being. They also support a strong forestry industry that employs nearly 2,000 people and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the state’s economy. At the same time, Delaware is losing more than

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Emissions Reduction: Residential and Commercial Buildings

Delaware’s buildings are a central part of daily life and a growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Because buildings vary widely in age, size and use, there is no single solution for reducing emissions. In 2021, the buildings sector produced about 14% of Delaware’s total emissions, with commercial buildings accounting for slightly more than homes.

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Emissions Reduction: Industry

The industry sector is Delaware’s third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 23.1% of statewide emissions in 2021. Although industrial emissions are 7.3% lower than in 2005, emissions are projected to grow without additional action. By 2050, industrial emissions are expected to overtake transportation as the state’s largest source of greenhouse gases, highlighting the

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Emissions Reduction: Electricity Generation and Grid Infrastructure

Electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware, making up 26.9% of the state’s total in 2021. Emissions come from electricity generated both in-state and out-of-state which we use to light our homes and heat our businesses. A decarbonized electric grid serves as Delaware’s largest emissions reduction opportunity, as it

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Emissions Reduction: Transportation

Transportation is Delaware’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, making up nearly 30% of the state’s total in 2021. Emissions come from cars, trucks, buses, planes, boats and off-road equipment. Reducing transportation emissions is key to reaching Delaware’s net-zero goals while improving air quality, public health and community resilience. Delaware

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Toward Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

Reducing Delaware’s greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero by 2050 is essential to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Solutions Act of 2023 sets clear statewide emission reduction targets: a 50% reduction by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, compared to a 2005 baseline. Reaching these goals, however, will require both

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Emissions Reduction: Agriculture

Agriculture is a vital part of Delaware’s economy and landscape, supporting farm families, food production and covering more than 40% of the state’s land area. In addition to its economic value, farmland plays an important role in addressing climate change by storing carbon in soils and vegetation. While agriculture contributes a relatively small share of

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Emissions Reduction: Oceans and Wetlands

In Delaware, no one is ever more than a mile from water. The state’s 381 miles of coastline and nearly 300,000 acres of wetlands provide substantial economic, ecological and community benefits. These coastal and marine systems also play a critical role in Delaware’s climate strategy by storing and sequestering carbon in vegetation, sediments and submerged

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Notice of Draft Emission Banking and Trading Program Audit

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Air Quality is providing the public an opportunity to inspect and comment on the Draft Delaware Regulation 1134, Emission Banking and Trading Program, Emission Reduction Credit Audit.

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7 DE Admin. Code 1102 Natural Minor Permit Applications: City of Wilmington and Jacobs

The City of Wilmington and Jacobs request construction permits for the installation of two identical elevated digester gas flares at the Wilmington Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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7 DE Código de Admin. 1102 Solicitudes De Permisos Naturales Menores: Ciudad de Wilmington y Jacobs

La Ciudad de Wilmington y Jacobs solicitan permisos de construcción para la instalación de dos antorchas elevadas de gas de digestión idénticas en la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales de Wilmington.

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Delaware’s Push to Cut Diesel Emissions Improves Air Quality Statewide

Many communities across the United States face challenges related to air quality and respiratory health, especially as it pertains to emissions from diesel engines. In Delaware, transportation is a major contributor to pollution, producing 75% of the state’s nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. But Delaware is also taking advantage of a federal program to clean up diesel pollution, replacing and retrofitting older diesel vehicles like school buses and trash trucks.

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Zero Emission Vehicle Credits for Manufacturers

Starting with model year 2027, automobile manufacturers will be required to include a specified percentage of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the fleet of cars they provide for sale in Delaware. Manufacturers who exceed the percentage targets may receive credits that they can use to offset future year requirements. Manufacturers can also earn credits during the

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Program Guidelines and Operational Procedures

The purpose of these guidelines is to define procedures relating to the Cool Switch Low-Impact Refrigerant Program (Cool Switch). The goal in establishing these guidelines is to provide a streamlined procedure for administering and distributing program funds. These guidelines provide rules of practice and procedures for rebate applications and disbursement of rebates for low-impact

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Emission Banking and Trading

The Delaware Emission Banking and Trading Program is a voluntary, market-based system that allows companies to earn credits for reducing their air pollution emissions. Companies can then sell these credits to other companies that need them to offset their own emissions. Jasmine

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Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance

The Delaware Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program is a mandatory control measure to help the State of Delaware meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. The

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DNREC Exhibits — Docket #2022-R-A-0010

This page contains proposed DNREC public hearing exhibits for Docket #2022-R-A-0010 (7 DE Admin. Code 1131 “Low Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance Program. Plan for Implementation (PFI)”) to be heard on Sept. 29, 2022. Public Hearing Transcript for Docket #2022-R-A-0010

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DNREC Exhibits — Docket #2022-R-A-0002

This page contains proposed DNREC public hearing exhibits for Docket #2022-R-A-0002 (7 DE Admin. Code 1131 “Low Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance Program – Kent and New Castle Counties”) to be heard on Sept. 29, 2022. Public Hearing Transcript for Docket #2022-R-A-0002

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DNREC Exhibits — Docket #2022-R-A-0001

This page contains proposed DNREC public hearing exhibits for Docket #2022-R-A-0001 (7 DE Admin. Code 1126 “Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program”) to be heard on Sept. 29, 2022.

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Public Hearing: Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections Program

The Division of Air Quality will conduct a virtual public hearing on amendments to state regulations, and a State Implementation Plan, for the state’s vehicle emission inspections program.

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Notice of Draft Emission Banking and Trading Program Audit

The Division of Air Quality is providing the public an opportunity to inspect and comment on the Draft “Delaware Regulation 1134, Emission Banking and Trading Program, Emission Reduction Credit Audit.”

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Public Workshops: Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program Amendments

Division of Air Quality will conduct two virtual public workshops on draft amendments to the regulations governing the Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program.

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Delaware Emissions

Human activities have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, threatening the health and wellbeing of the people of Delaware. DNREC’s Division of Air Quality conducts an annual inventory of in-state greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The 2021 inventory, which is the latest report available, was released in April

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Minimizing Emissions

By minimizing greenhouse gas emissions now, we contribute to a worldwide effort to reduce the severity of rapid climate change. Action Areas to Minimize Greenhouse Gas Emissions Delaware’s Climate Action Plan capitalizes on the work already underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware and identifies five

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Hydrofluorocarbons

In March of 2021, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) adopted a regulation on prohibitions of hydrofluorocarbons in specific end-uses. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) are potent greenhouse gases (GHG) that have

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Cool Switch Low-Impact Refrigerant Program

The Cool Switch Low-Impact Refrigerant Program’s goal is to incentivize the use of refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential impacts. Program Guidelines [button type=”primary”

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Virtual Public Hearing: Proposed Revisions to Delaware’s State Implementation Plan

The Division of Air Quality will conduct a public hearing (Docket #2020-R-A-0003) on March 25, in Dover, on three proposed revisions to Delaware’s State Implementation Plan (SIP).

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Point Source Emissions

The state of Delaware submits a comprehensive inventory of ozone precursor emissions to the EPA every three years. Ozone precursors are air pollutants that form ozone: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and carbon monoxide (CO). Jacquelyn Cuneo Division

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Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Delaware is a participant in a multi-state carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program developed as a cooperative effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia to cap and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the power sector. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes

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Clean Power Plan Meetings

In 2015, the EPA set the first-ever carbon pollution limits for existing power plants. The rules, known as the Clean Power Plan, were issued under the Clean Air Act. Between 2014, when the Plan was just a proposal, then and 2018, when the EPA reversed itself and rescinded those rules, DNREC worked with residents and

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Planning for Clean Power

The state of Delaware began working on a Clean Power Plan in response to carbon pollution limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2015. In August of 2018, the EPA reversed itself and repealed those rules. It has proposed a new “Affordable Clean Energy” rule instead. The state is now working with

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Greenhouse Gas Offsets

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) allows participating states to identify and take credit for project-based greenhouse gas reductions outside of the electric sector, which is subject to the RGGI cap-and-trade program.

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Reducing Diesel Emissions

Delaware has several programs designed to reduce diesel emissions, which can have significant negative impacts to overall air quality, from vehicles. Reporting Violations Report idling violations

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VW Mitigation Plan

A 2017 agreement between the federal government and the Volkswagen Corporation (VW) created an Environmental Mitigation Trust to fund projects that mitigate air quality impacts from high-emitting diesel vehicles and engines. Delaware’s share of the Environmental Mitigation Trust is approximately $9.6 million. DNREC has developed a mitigation plan to accept and distribute these funds to

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Clean Vehicles and Fuels

Delaware has several programs designed to reduce air emissions by promoting clean fuels and alternative vehicle use. Biodiesel Biodiesel fuel is in use by DelDOT heavy duty

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Mobile Sources

Mobile sources include a variety of motor vehicles and mobile equipment that generate air emissions, and that autonomously move or can be moved from place to place. The DNREC Mobile Sources Control Program implements measures and programs to reduce motor vehicle-related pollution from both on-road vehicles and non-road vehicles. State Mobile Sources

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