Energy efficiency lighting rebate grants offered by DNREC

Available to businesses, local governments and non-profits

DOVER, Del. – Delaware organizations looking to reduce energy consumption and related costs through energy-efficient lighting now have expanded grant opportunities through Delaware’s Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF). Administered by DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, the fund

offers grants to offset the cost of energy efficiency improvements, and has broadened the kinds of light fixtures that will qualify for grants while adjusting incentives offered for large custom projects to reflect competitive regional market rates.

EEIF assists with energy assessments, lighting, HVAC, complex retrofits, building improvements, and thermal energy systems. Changes to the lighting incentives include 34 new categories of eligible fixtures, varying incentive rates based on wattage, and the addition of incentives for lighting control systems. All incentive levels also have been adjusted to reflect market conditions for LED lights.

Updates to comprehensive custom projects have been made to promote maximum energy efficiency efforts, including implementing a tiered system that encourages applicants to consider projects with multiple end-use benefits. The EEIF program is also creating its first incentives for reducing emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO

“The EEIF program has been hugely successful supporting projects that saved over 55 million kilowatts in fiscal year 2019 alone,” said Dayna Cobb, director of the Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy. “These additions to EEIF add even greater value to a program that is already reducing energy usage and pollution.”

EEIF is funded through the Public Utility Tax (PUT), the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and one-time funding from the Exelon-Pepco merger settlement through which Delmarva Power, a major Delaware energy provider, became an Exelon company in 2016. Grant amounts are capped at 30 percent of the project’s total cost. Any application approved after Feb. 1, 2020 will reflect the new lighting and custom incentive levels.

For details on the program, application forms, and a list of eligible lighting products and rebates for deploying them, please visit

www.de.gov/eeif

VISTAs lend a helping hand in preparation for the FaithFULL Food Drive

CAMDEN CITY, NJ–A group of AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) who currently work at the Center For Family Services, volunteered their time and efforts at Catholic Charities’ headquarters in Camden City. There, they organized and sorted through items in preparation for the upcoming Camden Diocesan FaithFULL Food Drive on March 22. After the drive, Catholic Charities will use this space to temporarily store donated food items before distributing it to the agency’s other offices throughout Southern New Jersey to ensure that clients and those who are hungry will be given food and connected to the agency’s services.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Catholic Charities,

click here

, or to learn more about the upcoming FaithFULL Food Drive,

click here

Charlotte L. Bishop (75) of Gloucester Township, formerly of Gloucester City

On February 28, 2020.

Age 75.

(

nee

DeMore

)

Of Gloucester Township.

Formerly of Gloucester City.

Predeceased by her husband, Westley Bishop, Sr. Survived by her daughter, Anne Marie

Reimel

(

fiancé

Edward

Berckman

); grandchildren Melonie Margaret

Reimel

Adam Michael

Wentzel

, Victoria R.

Berckman

and

Dominique E. Francis (Nicholas J.)

redeceased by her son, Robert

Muzyczek

At the request of her family, cremation will be private. Memorial Services are being planned for a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Msgr.

Lucitt’s

Needy Children’s Fund, PO Box 87, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please memo, Charlotte L. Bishop.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Charlotte L. Bishop. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN

–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph

:856

-456-1142

Animal News: Rescue Puppy Named New Voice Of The TurfMutt Foundation

(NAPSI)—A puppy named Mulligan has big paws to fill, but the mixed breed rescue dog is up to the challenge of becoming the new voice for the TurfMutt Foundation, says his new owner and guardian, Kris Kiser, President of the organization.

Since 2009, Kiser’s rescue dog, Lucky, “pawed it forward” by leading the Foundation’s environmental education and stewardship program for students in grades K to 8. Sadly, Lucky passed away recently, but his superhero cape is being picked up by perky Mulligan, who was found by Kiser last month during Lucky’s Mutt Madness, a national pet adoption event organized by the Foundation during GIE+EXPO, the nation’s leading trade show for outdoor power, landscaping and hardscaping industry professionals, held each October in Louisville, Ky.

Mulligan was not the only rescue pup to find a new home. Fifteen other dogs from the Kentucky Humane Society also went home with new owners.

Carl Bennett and his family brought home a beagle mix puppy, named Jovial. “She is completely living up to her name. She’s happy and sweet and loves everyone. She’s very smart and is already learning tricks,” said Bennett.

Bennett admits they weren’t planning to bring a puppy home but added, “When we saw her sweet little face and floppy ears we all fell in love. We never expected to adopt but something told us she needed to be a part of our family.

A ten-year-old dog named Mama went home with Mark Potocki. He was concerned she wouldn’t get the love she deserved because she was older. “Once I had the chance to hold her, she curled up in my arms and my decision was made,” said Potocki.

He said Lucky’s Mutt Madness was a wonderful experience. “What a great event. The vibe of the afternoon was fun and drew attention to the need for pet adoption,” said Potocki.

Kiser is deep into puppy training for Mulligan. “As a spokesdog, TurfMutt has to visit schools, and sometimes goes with me for public appearances and on TV sets, so Mulligan needs to be well-socialized and know how to behave.”

“Mutt Mulligan” marks a new page in the TurfMutt platform, which grew from a youth education program launched in 2009 in a handful of Sacramento and Washington, D.C. schools to reaching 70 million students, teachers, and families with its message that everyone can help save the planet, starting with their backyard.

Kiser added, “People can understand the value of a living landscape, when they see it through the eyes of a dog. You suddenly realize that soft grass is kinder to paws than hard concrete and that you need shade and a variety of plants in your yard.”

The TurfMutt program has become a national platform, appearing on every major television network, The Hub, Animal Planet and more, including the award-winning show, “Lucky Dog,” for three seasons; being featured in Parade magazine’s Earth Day issue; and winning awards. TurfMutt is an official USGBC Education Partner and part of its global LEARNING LAB, and has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

More information on Lucky’s Mutt Madness event and the program is at

www.TurfMutt.com

Camden Girl Scouts Visit MD Anderson Cancer Center

Through a partnership with The Cooper Foundation, the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral School and KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, 24 Camden middle school students visited MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper on Jan. 30 for a behind the scenes look at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers.

During the tour of the state-of-the-art cancer center, students had the opportunity to hear from a radiation therapist, an infusion nurse, a pharmacist, and a clinical researcher to learn about their work and the technology used to care for patients.

Following the tour, Dr. Lisa Reid, a surgeon at MD Anderson at Cooper, shared the story of her career path and encouraged the girls to find their voice and follow their dreams.

Last year, Camden high school students visited Cooper as part of the STEMsational: STEM Girl Scouts Series. This year, the opportunity was extended to middle school students to encourage them to discover their passions and hear from women in leadership roles.

Click here

to view photos from the tour.

NJNG Starts Pipeline Construction In Monmouth County

New Jersey Natural Gas has started construction on their Southern Reliability Link pipeline in Monmouth County. The pipeline is being installed on Province Line Road off of route 537 which is now closed to traffic. NJNG have put plastic fencing to protect the 300 year-old cemetery across the street on Arneytown-Hornerstown Road.

“NJNG is starting construction again in Monmouth County near New Egypt on the SRL pipeline. They are now heading into Burlington County despite the fact that we are still in court with them. They are taking open space and a historic cemetery for an unnecessary pipeline. The NJ Sierra Club is filing a response to briefs to the state and NJNG. Our concern is that we won’t have an oral argument until June or maybe even October. By the time the case is decided that the pipeline cannot be built, a majority of it will be in the ground. This pipeline will cause irreparable harm to the environment and become an economic burden to taxpayers who will have to pay to remove it. NJNG is heading towards Burlington County and it is critical that the Burlington Freeholders commit to blocking this pipeline,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

NJNG’s Southern Reliability Link will have to get approval from Burlington County for permits. The Burlington County Freeholders have the power and the justification to deny road occupancy permits for NJNG’s planned use of county roads for the pipeline. Groups are asking the Freeholder to deny NJNG’s permit to build along its county roads.

“This is a dastardly deed by NJNG. They aren’t just proceeding at their own risk; they’re risking the environment and public safety, and ratepayer’s money. That is why the Burlington County Freeholders must protect their community! NJNG is completely ignoring the rules and the role of the legal system and going ahead with their unnecessary pipeline. There will be irreparable harm by allowing for construction, digging up people’s lawn, and putting a blowtorch within feet of homes. NJNG is already cutting streets off in Monmouth and Ocean County and people cannot get to their homes. They are risking public safety by blocking traffic which is especially difficult for emergency vehicles. Burlington Freeholders need to step up and protect their residents by rejecting NJNG, they need to stop this pipeline so that we have our day in court,”

said Tittel.

The proposed Southern Reliability Link (SRL) pipeline would connect to a compressor station in Chesterfield and run 28 miles of pipe through Burlington, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties. The line would threaten ecosystems, communities, and drinking water in the Pinelands. This pipeline clearly violates the Pinelands rules because this type of infrastructure is only allowed through the Pinelands Forest Preservation Area, if it primarily serves the Pinelands, but it does not.

“The SRL would be detrimental to the Pinelands is the largest open space on the eastern seaboard and recognized for its biodiversity by the United Nations. It is also the country’s first National Reserve and holds 17 trillion gallons of water in its aquifer. We have been trying to get a stay on the SRL but that has fell on deaf ears. The New Jersey Attorney General said he represents the agencies such as the Pinelands and the BPU, but they are in support of the pipeline. This is no longer Chris Christie’s pipeline, this is Phil Murphy’s pipeline. That is why we are asking the Burlington County Freeholders to protect the Pinelands and deny NJNG’s SRL pipeline,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “

If Governor Murphy is committed to reducing GHG’s and clean energy, why is he letting NJNG come through his own county for a destructive fossil fuel pipeline. That’s why a moratorium is so important. There is no need for the SRL pipeline other than to promote fracking and the burning of fossil fuels that impact clean water and promote climate change.”

The Future of Gambling Sponsorship in Sport

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 3, 2020)–It goes without saying that bookmakers are inextricably linked with various sports events. Moreover, betting companies have significantly influenced the popularity of some sports. The profitability of some sporting events sometimes reaches several billion dollars. Thanks to this, many companies and clubs can earn significant financial support from sports advertising, ticket sales, gadgets, and so on. Bookmakers strive to promote their brands and ensure a stable income so they sign partnership contracts with many sports clubs. One can frequently see the logos of gambling companies on the T-shirts of the most popular football players, on banners at stadiums, and in other places. However, it would be wrong to deny the fact that gambling in sports really supports athletic events by investing money in world contests. Indeed, it actually helps to promote an active lifestyle among the population even though betting businesses gain profits.

Vulkan Vegas, bet365, and other betting companies as sponsors of Premier League teams

In the UK, bookmakers have long gone beyond the narrow framework of providing their services in their hometowns. Large British betting companies are not just entering the national arena, they are also challenging European leadership. Companies such as

Vulkan Vegas

, bet365, and many others already support a large variety of football clubs in England and Europe as a whole. However, the gambling business cannot yet compete with the world\’s richest titans. For example, Manchester United is sponsored by General Motors, which bought the right to place the name of its Chevrolet car brand on the club’s shirts. Their neighbors, Manchester City, also have a rich supporter – the airline from the Emirates,

Etihad Airways

, which had enough money to buy the name of the stadium.

Sponsorship of mid-range teams

Gambling companies do not yet have such budgets to approach the richest clubs in the league. However, with the mid-range teams, they are already able to reach agreements. At a time when

Tottenham Hotspur

had not yet shown the high results it has in recent years, its partner was Mansion.com and this logo appeared on the team’s shirts from 2006 to 2010. This gambling operator, registered in Gibraltar, began its activities with online casinos and poker but has recently become interested in bookmaking.

The most successful sports and gambling collaboration in England is an agreement between bet365 and Stoke City. Gambling company has managed to not only become the official sponsor of Stoke City in 2012 but also to redeem the right for the club’s stadium to be named after this bookmaker in 2016.

Second division clubs

Championship clubs frequently work with bookmakers. Most of them have sponsorship contracts or partnerships with betting companies. Nottingham Forest has partnered with the 888sport online bookmaker. Starting from the 2017/18 season, Bolton has been placing the logo of the British betting company Betfred on its shirts. This bookmaker also collaborated from 2006 to 2013 with Manchester United as the club\’s betting partner. It seems that it will not be long before every football club in Britain has a sponsor or partner from the world of betting. Moreover, it is likely that the last strongholds of the

Premier League

will soon fall – the richest clubs in England that will not resist the temptations of the contracts offered by local gambling representatives.

The future of gambling sponsorship in sport

Gambling companies will, for sure, strive to become more deeply immersed in world sport in the next years. They invest a lot of money into sponsorship and gain even bigger profits from it. Despite the fact that not every football club is loyal to betting businesses, it is a good opportunity for weaker teams to secure financial stability and use it for improving youth academies, infrastructure, management, etc. That is why the upcoming years will definitely be the years of gambling companies sponsoring local and national teams.

Conclusion

It is impressive how gambling has incorporated itself in sport sponsorship at the world’s largest event. Currently, almost every football, basketball, or hockey club has a sponsor connected to betting. For sure, such a tendency has some negative features, since bookmakers might be able to insider sports betting, but the fact that gambling companies invest in sport, making it thrive definitely covers the drawbacks of betting sponsorship in sports.

NJ Announces Offshore Wind Solicitation Schedule of 7,500 MW through 2035

Commitment Demonstrates New Jersey’s Leadership on Offshore Wind

TRENTON

– Governor Phil Murphy recently announced the offshore wind solicitation schedule to meet the 7,500 megawatt (MW) offshore wind goal by 2035 and called upon the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to take all

necessary actions to implement the schedule. These projects will deliver the clean, renewable energy generation needed to meet the State’s goals of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030 and a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050. Reaching 7,500 MW will generate enough electricity to power more than 3.2 million homes and meet fifty percent of the state’s electric power need, while supporting an offshore wind industry that will generate billions of dollars in investments in New Jersey’s future and create thousands of jobs.

“Several months ago, I committed the State of New Jersey to 7,500 MW of offshore wind by 2035, as a critical component of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050,”

said Governor Murphy.

“By announcing this planned solicitation schedule, we are demonstrating to our partners in industry and labor that we are committed to implementing this process in a thoughtful way that ensures economic growth for the New Jersey.”

“Not only was Governor Murphy the first to embrace 100 percent clean energy, he has been a national leader when it comes to recognizing the importance of offshore wind,”

said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.

“New Jersey opened the largest single-state solicitation, is building a supply chain that will support projects up and down the east coast and is poised to double our offshore wind capacity. Guided by our new Energy Master Plan, offshore wind is a critical component in realizing the Governor’s vision of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and ensuring our planet survives for future generations.”

The proposed schedule calls for the next 1,200 MW solicitation to be opened by September 2020, with an award made by second quarter of 2021. Setting a solicitation schedule through 2035 provides a crucial level of certainty for developers, original equipment manufacturers, and the supply chain.

To be responsive to the evolving market, the schedule has been developed to provide flexibility in terms of the amount being procured with each solicitation and the exact timeline. There are a number of factors that could influence the timing and the quantity to be procured including transmission solutions and development schedule, the status of additional lease areas, permitting, port readiness, establishment of a supply chain, workforce training, and cost trends.

Proposed OSW Solicitation Schedule through 2035

Solicitation

Capacity Target MW

Issue Date

Submittal Date

Award Date

Estimated Commercial Operation Date

1,100

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q2 2019

2024

1,200

Q3 2020

Q4 2020

Q2 2021

2027

1,200

Q3 2022

Q4 2022

Q2 2023

2029

1,200

Q2 2024

Q3 2024

Q1 2025

2031

1,400

Q2 2026

Q3 2026

Q1 2027

2033

1,400

Q1 2028

Q3 2028

Q1 2029

2035

In January 2018, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 8, which directed NJBPU to fully implement the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act and begin the process of moving the state toward a goal of 3,500 MW of offshore wind by the year 2030. In response, New Jersey Board Public Utilities issued a solicitation for 1,100 MW of offshore wind and awarded Ørsted with the largest single state contract in June 2019. Ørsted expects this first project to be operational by 2024.

On November 19, 2019, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 92 directing the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and other state agencies with responsibilities arising under Offshore Wind Economic Development Act to take all necessary actions to promote the development of wind energy off the coast of New Jersey to meet a goal of 7,500 MW of offshore wind by the year 2035. This new order rescinded Paragraph 1 of Executive Order No. 8, which had established the previous goal of 3,500 MW of offshore wind.

Joseph N. Harris of Franklinville, formerly of Gloucester City, Vietnam War Army Veteran

Joseph N. Harris Sr.

Joseph N. Harris Sr. \”Butch\” age 72, of Franklinville formerly of Gloucester City passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020. Born in Camden to the late Jacob Harris and Louise (nee Hilling), Butch served in the Army during the Vietnam War and continued serving in the Army National Guard for 20 years of service. He was proud of his military service, loved his country and was a member of the Brooklawn American Legion. His passion was traveling to car shows and taking care of his 1969 Firebird. Butch was loved by all who knew him. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren.

Butch is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Patricia (nee Mayhew), his son Joseph N. Harris Jr., (Jacqueline), two daughters, Angela Harris (Dave) and Darlene Voll (William), five grandchildren, Alexis, Jacob, Abigail, Billy and Andrew and his brother-in-law, David McNeil. He was predeceased by his sister, Saundra McNeil.

Family and Friends may visit

from 9:30 am to 11 am on Thursday, March 5th

, at Smith Funeral Home,

47 Main Street, Mantua, NJ

where a Memorial Service will be held at 11. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Wenonah Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, contributions can be made to ASPCA,

PO Box 96929, Washington, DC, 20090-6929

or by phone at

1-800-628-0028

. Memories and condolences can be shared at

www.smithfhmantua.com

Brandon Perez & David Sult Sentenced for Setting Homeless Man on Fire

MAYS LANDING – Two men were sentenced on Feb. 28, 2020 before Judge Waldman to New Jersey state prison after pleading guilty in November to aggravated assault for setting a man on fire in March, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Brandon Perez, (right) 23, of Hammonton and David Sult, (left) 24, of Mays Landing, were both sentenced to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act.

In November both men pleaded guilty to second degree aggravated assault in exchange for five years New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act (85% period of parole ineligibility and three years parole supervision upon release).

On the evening of March 15, 2019, Brandon Perez and David Sult were at Sult’s residence in Mays Landing hanging out with a group of other men. Raymond Mullen was asleep on a couch when Perez and Sult decided to play a “prank” on him. Perez sprayed lighter fluid on the back of Raymond’s clothing. Perez ignited it. Raymond suffered severe burns to his back. The men claimed Raymond had been burned accidentally by an electronic smoking device but the investigation revealed the fire had been set intentionally.

Township of Hamilton Police Det. Lawrence Fernan investigated the incident and ACPO Det. Danielle Kratky assisted with the prosecution. Assistant Prosecutor Chris D’Esposito represents the state in the matter.

***************************

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at

609-909-7800

or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at

http://www.acpo.org/tips.html

and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at

609-652-1234

1-800-658-8477

(TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at

http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/

. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.