Empowerment Grant Program
About the Empowerment Grant Program
We are no longer accepting grant applications for this program.
Energize Delaware was selected through a statewide bid to run the Empowerment Grant Program, with funding provided by the merger of Delmarva Power and Exelon. With guidance from the Delaware Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee and its Low-Income Working Group, the Empowerment Grant disbursed $4 million over three years to eight organizations including Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, Applied Energy Group, and New Ecology, Inc.
In 2021, the Empowerment Grant announced new funding through the Energy Equity Fund (all expended) at Delaware Community Foundation, and provided clean, efficient and affordable energy in Delaware’s underserved communities.
The Empowerment Grant’s vision was to implement impactful and innovative energy equity projects in underserved communities that include direct investment, community outreach, education, and engagement. Low- and moderate-income communities have been historically underserved. The Empowerment Grant focused on expanding the inclusion and participation of low- and moderate-income communities in the clean energy movement.
Grants Awarded - Delmarva Power and Exelon Merger
NEW CASTLE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Refrigerator Replacement Program
Grant Award: $800,000
Location: Statewide
Habitat for Humanity’s Refrigerator Replacement program replaced 423 old, inefficient refrigerators with ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators to Delmarva Power residents of New Castle, Sussex, and Kent Counties. In addition to replacing the old, inefficient refrigerators, HFH also removed and recycled the existing refrigerators as part of the program.
SUSSEX COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Insulated Skirting for Manufactured Homes
Grant Award: $759,500
Location: Kent and Sussex County
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity’s Insulated Skirting for Manufactured Homes Program installed 78 insulated skirts to Delmarva Power customers throughout Kent and Sussex Counties. The new foundation enclosure provides a substantial barrier to nature by blocking air from circulating underneath the home and energy savings up to 25%.
NEW ECOLOGY, INC. Climate Smart Homes
Grant Award: $795,000
Location: New Castle County
New Ecology and their partners Cinnaire, Central Baptist Develop Corporation, and Habitat for Humanity are transforming 4 homes to energy efficiency, high-performance homes by the latter half of 2023. 32 additional high-performance, all-electric, healthy homes will be available to low-and-moderate Delmarva Power customers once construction starts.
ARCA RECLYCLING INC. Appliance Replacement Program
Grant Award: $500,000
Location: Kent and Sussex County
ARCA Recycling, Inc. will provide ENERGY STAR appliances to income-qualified customers at no charge. Used appliances will be responsibly recycled avoiding landfill disposal and protecting the environment against the release of hazardous materials. The program includes appointment scheduling, appliance delivery, and collection of used appliances, and transportation to ARCA’s recycling center. Community partners will perform home assessments and refer eligible customers to ARCA’s call center.
APPLIED ENERGY GROUP LMI HVAC Rebate for Rental Units
Grant Award: $193,000
Location: Kent and Sussex County
Applied Energy Group provided 232 apartment units in Kent and Sussex Counties with energy efficiency measures including LED lightening, low-flow structures, and more. AEG provided rebates for new high- efficiency heat pumps that resulted in an annual energy savings of 221,689 kWh.
WILMINGTON SENIOR CENTER Lafayette Court Energy Efficiency and Savings Systems
Grant Award: $150,000
Location: New Castle County
Wilmington Senior Center has installed energy efficiency and energy saving systems to two identical buildings to reduce operating and utility costs, as well as residential utility bills. The Senior Center replaced space heater boiler and controls, attic air sealing and insulation, apartment air sealing, ERV’s with insulated ductwork in attics, low flow toilets, apartment heat pumps, apartment lighting, exterior lighting, and interior common area lighting.
DELAWARE INTERFAITH POWER AND LIGHT Interior Storm Windows (Windows of Hope)
Grant Award: $98,500
Location: New Castle County
Delaware Interfaith Power and Light created and installed 469 custom Interior Storm Windows in West Center City Wilmington for Delmarva Power Customers. The Helping Hands education center of Temple United helped recruit local fabricators and provided the shop space.
KINGSWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER DIY Home Weatherization Workshops
Grant Award: $35,000
Location: New Castle County
Kingswood Community Center will partner with the Energy Coordinating Agency to provide home weatherization education and outreach to low-income residents of the Riverside neighborhood in Wilmington. Workshops will provide families the tools and knowledge needed to make minor weatherization repairs to their homes to help decrease their energy bills.
Grants Awarded - Energy Equity Fund
ELSMERE FIRE VOLUNTEER COMPANY #1 Clean Air and Lighting Energy Upgrade
Grant Award: $74,704
Location: New Castle County
Elsmere Volunteer Fire Company installed LED lightning units, replace a refrigerator and freezer with energy efficient appliances, and remove two oil fed furnaces after recently fuel switching to gas.
ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL Envisioning the Future of Food
Grant Award: $25,200
Location: New Castle County
Expanding STEM education in the field of food studies with the courses “Principles of Plant Science” and “Future of Food” to provide hands-on experience in plant science and the study of food science, climate change, and sustainable development. The funding will also expand the Hydroponic Learning Lab with a Harvest Wall that features a closed loop vertigation system that distributes water and nutrients to all plants automatically.
ELYTE ENERGY Development and Characterization of a Lithium Amide-Magnesium Hydride System
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: Kent County
The purpose of Elyte Energy’s grant was to inspire and expose diverse young talent to hydrogen energy and provide resources to develop a strategic plan to help Elyte Energy establish clear objectives for next two years. The funding from the Energize Delaware is crucial to our work as it allows us to plan strategically and execute on a multi-year runway for our company to develop the product further, test the technology, and prepare for market by Year 3. Although we have secured a laboratory space, we are in the early stages of purchasing needed equipment and resources that will allow us to safely handle the required hazardous materials in an inert environment (created by the glove box with argon gas).
CRANSTON HEIGHTS FIRE COMPANY
Grant Award: $155,000
Location: New Castle County
Cranston Heights replaced their boiler, upgraded to LED lighting, fixed heater fans, installed a separate switch for the lounge exhaust fan, repaired the photocell for under hang exterior lights, and turned off the door heater of the walk-in fridge.
MT LEBANON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: New Castle County
Mt. Lebanon had a variety of energy efficiency upgrades including insulation in the attic above sanctuary, HVAC, air conditioning upgrades, installed a 95% efficiency gas boiler, removed the oil tank, and installed solar on the Fellowship roof.
CENTRAL DELAWARE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ReStore Light Conversion
Grant Award: $60,000
Location: Kent County
Installed new LED strip lighting and track lighting throughout the ReStore, install LED Exit signs, install new exterior LED, upgrade the CDHFH sign along Hwy 134 to LED lightbulbs, and install 4 solar panel LED lights in areas with no lighting on the exterior of the building.
THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY Supporting Energy Efficiency HVAC
Grant Award: $66,945
Location: New Castle County
Replaced 30-year-old boiler with heat pump/electric mini-split system
ST MICHAEL’S SCHOOL AND NURSEY Committed to the Future of our Community
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: New Castle County
St. Michael’s installed LED lighting and associated costs to replace all existing fluorescent and incandescent lighting throughout the existing facility and in the three new rooftop additions as part of the overall capital improvement plans.
ST ANDREW’S ENVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: Kent County
St. Andrew’s replaced the outdated and non-functional boiler systems with new, energy efficient HVAC units.
FOOD BANK OF DELAWARE
Grant Award: up to $308,000
Location: Statewide
The Food Bank of Delaware replaced 4 older gas dependent vehicles with 4 electric vehicles and two Level 2 chargers.
NEWARK HOUSING AUTHORITY Energy Capital Improvements
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: New Castle County
Awards include energy efficiency improvements in four subsidized housing properties in underserved communities, including heating, cool, and hot water systems through insulation, proper ventilation, and the installation of energy efficiency appliances.
HOME PERFORMANCE COALITION
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: Statewide
Evaluate at least 15 contractors and weatherization agencies to provide a detailed summary of the findings. The BPA aims to increase collaboration among participants and grow market penetration by fostering increased cooperation. The outreach will include completing a statewide needs assessment for contractors and weatherization agencies in Delaware and communicating between companies to build a workforce and provide access to training institutions.
WHAT IS YOUR VOICE Green Campus
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: Sussex County
Award for the replacement of two 2-door freezers with ENERGY STAR models, replacement of the house heat pump, replace 90ft 2-garage door of the outbuilding, and install LED lighting. Purchase of a an Energize Delaware wrapped Chevrolet Bolt and residential level 2 charger for the purpose of transporting clients and delivering supplies to clients.
UNITED WAY OF DELAWARE Linden Building Investment Grant Energy Audit
Grant Award: $575,000
Location: New Castle County
The desired outcome of this phase of the project (phase 1 – Investment Grade Audit) is an IGA Report that will include the following components, which will comprise a baseline for potentially broader projects (within phase 2 – Implementation):
• Proposed scope of work (the “Preliminary Scope of Work”)
• The preliminary implementation price for the Preliminary Scope of Work (the “Preliminary Implementation Price”)
• Estimated cost savings for the Preliminary Scope of Work
• Project financials, including project impacts on key performance indicators (KPIs) agreed upon by the parties in advance
THE LORELTON FOUNDATION Commercial Refrigeration and Cooking Equipment
Grant Award: $55,680
Location: New Castle County
Modernize and improve energy efficiency in the kitchen of The Lorelton.
ELEVATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Grant Award: $75,000
Location: Sussex County
The former Milford Armory needs an assessment, repair, renovation, and upgrades to the building envelope, heating, ventilation, cooling, hot water, and lighting system, which New Ecology will prepare and help ECDC with evaluating bids and selecting a contractor. Award also includes the direct install of LED lighting.
NAAMAN’S LITTLE LEAGUE Heeney Field Lighting Project
Grant Award: $69,550
Location: New Castle County
Naaman’s Little League replaced 24 1500W lights with 500W LED lights, replaced wire in poles as needed to accommodate new lights, trenched and installed direct buried wire from current disconnect to new announcers box for new panel to feed lights, installed wire to existing light poles to refeed, 10-2 UF wire to 3 sheds, wire to scoreboard, and wire to back field scoreboard.
FAIR BLUE SWIM CLUB
Grant Award: $12,745
Location: New Castle County
Completed 5 upgrade measures based off IAC Report including interior and exterior lighting and replacing glass door refrigerator.