Energize Delaware is making a difference in Delaware. Most recently a $650,000 grant was awarded by Energize Delaware’s Empowerment Grant to the Sussex County Habitat for Humanity to renew their insulated skirting program.
Established in 2020, the Empowerment Grant funded a pilot program administered by Sussex County Habitat for Humanity for $100,000 to provide insulated skirting for manufactured homes in Sussex County. Discovering the need was great, the successful program was renewed in 2021 infusing the program with funds over the next two years providing an opportunity to help Kent County residents in 2023. Sussex and Kent Habitat Chapters will identify 80 homes in need of energy efficient skirting.
“This is the largest single grant in our history, and we are thrilled to be able to help so many households improve their living conditions and reduce their utility costs”, says Kevin Gilmore, CEO of Sussex County Habitat.
The Empowerment Grant funds were authorized by the Delaware Public Service Commission and made possible by the merger between Exelon Power and Delmarva Power in Delaware. For more information about the Empowerment Grant Program with Delmarva Power, and what has been funded, please visit us at www.empowergrantde.org.
Those interested in applying to the Insulated Skirting Program can contact Sussex County Habitat for Humanity at 302-855-1153. The expansion in 2023 to include Kent County will be implemented in partnership with Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity. Only customers of Delmarva Power are eligible for this program.
“We learned a lot since the Empowerment Grant was created two years ago about the uncertainty and how fragile Delaware communities can be during crisis moments,” said Jim Purcell, Empowerment Grant Manager. “The Empowerment Grant provided relief and hope to many looking to save on energy costs, while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint in Delaware.”
The Empowerment Grant Program (EGP) that Energize Delaware developed and administered, has now awarded $4 million in energy efficiency grants for underserved communities in all three counties.
For information about the the Empowerment grant and the new Energy Equity Fund please contact Jim Purcell, Director of Programs and Funds or visit the website at www.energyequityfund.org