DNREC closes Polly Drummond Hill waste site until spring after fire

Staff WriterEnvironment, News Briefs

The Polly Drummond Hill Community Yard Waste Site, a seasonal drop-off location for northern New Castle County residents, will remain closed until spring after a fire earlier this week prompted safety concerns. The fire, reported Tuesday morning, affected large piles of yard waste material. Emergency responders quickly contained the blaze, but smoldering continues, and suppression efforts are ongoing. DNREC and …

Newark receives $590,949 federal grant for ebike and EV charging stations

Staff WriterEnvironment, News Briefs, Town Square Live

The City of Newark has been awarded a $590,949 grant through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program. This funding will enable the installation of 11 dual-port electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and 12 e-bike charging stations, significantly advancing Newark’s commitment to sustainability and enhancing access to green transportation options. The infrastructure added through this grant …

DNREC Launches New Photo Contest Showcasing Delaware

Staff WriterAround the State, Environment, Government

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control invites photographers to showcase their skills and love for nature in the new DNREC Photo Contest. Open to all ages and skill levels, this contest seeks to highlight Delaware’s outdoors through striking photography. This new, expanded contest combines DNREC’s former photo contests into one unified program. Rather than holding separate competitions throughout …

Coastal Resilience Plan

UD Students Develop Milton Coastal Resilience Plan

Staff WriterEnvironment, Headlines

Three University of Delaware landscape architecture students have completed a comprehensive resilience plan for Milton, Delaware, addressing the town’s vulnerability to sea level rise and storm surges. The project was conducted through the university’s Coastal Resilience Design Studio (CRDS). The plan focuses on three key areas: stormwater management, wildlife habitat preservation, and community connectivity through trail systems. The students—Bri Egan, …

Wind substation

Experts: Wind-power substation’s rejection an “early Christmas present” for Sussex County

Bradley VasoliGovernment, Environment, Headlines

  By Bradley Vasoli While a proposed Sussex County wind-power substation generated some fanfare among politicians, some energy and environmental experts welcome its rejection by the County Council this week. US Wind envisioned the substation to span over 142 acres in Dagsboro to transport energy generated by offshore wind turbines to the regional transmission grid. The power would travel via …

The settlement is a result of companies releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.

Ohio chemicals settlement gives $25 million to Delaware

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Environment

The First State is getting $25 million from a newly settled lawsuit in Ohio that triggered a contingency payment to Delaware. Chemours, DuPont and Corteva reached a $110 million settlement in Ohio over  “forever chemicals,” which refer to the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from the facilities of those companies. The substances, known as PFAS, have negative environmental impacts. …

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Delaware Botanic Gardens ready for a real First State summer crowd

Betsy PriceBeaches, Delaware Nonprofits, Environment, Headlines

A path allows visitors to walk along Pepper Creek.   The Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek is hoping for a radically different summer this year than last. It had opened only six months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and its first summer was marked with mask and social distancing mandates, as cases rose and fell. Now, with relaxed mask …