Climate Bill Signing at Lums Pond

Standing, left to right: Rep. Krista Griffith, Sen. Sarah McBride, Rep. Debra Hefferman, Rep. Edward Osienski, Rep. Sophie Phillips, DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Sen. Stephanie Hansen, Rep. Eric Morrison, Dustyn Thompson of the Sierra Club. Seated: Governor John Carney.

On Thursday, August 3, Delaware took a critical step toward reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable future as Governor John Carney signed several environmentally-focused bills that House Democrats researched, introduced and championed earlier this year.

Audubon’s Survival by Degrees report shows how climate change is affecting the places that birds need to survive. Two thirds of North American bird species could face extinction if we fail to slow the rate of global climate change. Audubon supports common sense solutions to reducing carbon emissions. Delaware’s new climate measures play a small but important role in achieving a sustainable future for birds and people.

In May,  Delaware Audubon participated in the Climate Action Rally in Dover in support of House Bill 99, the Climate Solutions Act of 2023, organized by the Delaware Nature Society.  Representatives of our chapter were also in attendance of the August 3 bill signing at Lums Pond.

Collectively, these bills drive the First State toward a more sustainable future by reducing the state’s carbon footprint, cutting emissions, offering incentives to residents, and ensuring businesses are prepared to utilize renewable energy.

The bills signed include:

  • House Bill 99 (Reps. Debra Heffernan and Sophie Phillips and Sen Stephanie Hansen): Lays out targets to reduce net emissions by 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

  • House Bill 10 (Rep. Heffernan): Sets targets for purchasing electric school buses.

  • House Bill 11 (Rep. Krista Griffith): Ensures large commercial buildings are equipped for solar installation.

  • House Bill 12 (Rep. Phillips): Expands the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

  • SS 1 for Senate Bill 103 (Sen. Sarah McBride and Rep. Griffith): Amends Delaware code to make it easier to bring EV chargers into residential areas.

  • Senate Bill 170 (Sen. Hansen and Rep. Osienski): Commitment to study offshore wind with neighboring states and PJM.

  • SS 1 for Senate Bill 7 (Sen. Hansen and Rep. Heffernan): Expands the Delaware State Energy Office.