Delaware Electric Cooperative Offers Additional Irrigation Grants
For Immediate Release: January 27th, 2012
GREENWOOD, Del.- Delaware Electric Cooperative is expanding its Irrigation Grant Pilot Program with the help of Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. DNREC has agreed to pump hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional funding into the program. Delaware officials will provide $300,000 in grants to farmers, which will help farmers convert diesel irrigation pump generators to electric systems. The state grants will pay up to 30 percent of a farmer’s non-utility costs for the conversion, such as labor and parts.
Delaware Electric Cooperative has already set aside $300,000 in 2012 for the Irrigation Grant Pilot Program. According to Co-op President and CEO Bill Andrew, “By converting generators from diesel to electric, farmers will not only save on fuel costs, but will also stop emissions from being released into the air by older diesel generators.” The state grants can only be used for the conversion of a diesel powered irrigation system to an electric system. However, Delaware Electric Cooperative will also use part of its $300,000 dedicated to the program to help farmers install new irrigation systems. Farmers can receive up to $15,000 to help pay for the cost of running power to new irrigation systems.
To be eligible for the program, proposed irrigation systems must have a minimum 40 kilowatt load. Farmers will also be required to sign a contract for controlled load service with the Co-op for 60 months. For more information about the program, contact Kevin Yingling, Manager of Marketing at 302-349-3120 or by email at kevin@decoop.com.
Reporters’ Contact:
Jeremy Tucker, DEC Communications Manager
Office: 302-349-3162
Cell: 302-382-4303