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May 1, 2008

The Honorable Robert L. Venables
Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Capital Improvements
P.O. Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903

The Honorable Vincent A. Lofink
Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Capital Improvements
P.O. Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903

Re: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control FY09 Jt. Committee on Capital Improvements Comments from The Nature Conservancy

Dear Senator Venables and Representative Lofink:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit written comments on behalf of The Nature Conservancy with respect to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) proposed FY09 budget.

On behalf of The Nature Conservancy Delaware Chapter I encourage members of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements to support passage of Regional Greenhouse Gas legislation (RGGI) in Delaware during this legislative session. Recommendations from the Senate Concurrent Resolution #28 workgroup were forwarded to you by Secretary John Hughes on April 8, 2008. While the recommendations fall short of The Nature Conservancy’s full request, the bill will generate significant resources for Delaware and enable important investments in energy efficiency and conservation activities. Some of the key provisions from the workgroup include:

  • Beginning the program by auctioning 60% of Delaware’s CO2 allowances in the first year, reaching a 100% auction level in five years.
     
  • Directing up to 65% of the CO2 allowance proceeds to the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) for energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment. 
     
  • Directing up to 15% of the CO2 allowance proceeds to low income consumers through the State weatherization and LIHEAP programs, with an annual needs review.
     
  • Directing up to 10% of CO2 allowance proceeds to a “Greenhouse Gas Reduction Projects” program designed to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Delaware.
     
  • The relative percentage of funds to the SEU and low income consumers may be reviewed and adjusted annually by a committee comprised of the Secretary of DNREC, who shall serve as committee chairman, the Chair of the SEU and the directors of the state weatherization and Low Income Home Energy Assistance programs.
     
  • Directing up to 10% of CO2 allowance proceeds to DNREC for administration.

 

Thank you for your consideration of these funding requests on behalf of the 3,200 members of
The Nature Conservancy’s Delaware Chapter.


Sincerely,

Roger L. Jones, Jr.
State Director

cc: Members, Delaware Joint Committee on Capital Improvements
Mr. John Hughes, Secretary, Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Ms. Jennifer Davis, Director, Delaware Office of Management and Budget
Mr. Mike Jackson, Director, Delaware Budget Development, Planning and Administration