DuPont helps Delaware port processor go green

There are now 20 electric power stations to replace diesel generators that power refrigerated storage containers at a New Castle banana distribution facility.

The new electric power supply will reduce emissions and noise that were commonplace with the old diesel generators at Trinity Port Services just off Route 9.  The company which distributes more than 100 million pounds of bananas for Dole and Chiquita from the Port of Wilmington stores the fruit at their site in New Castle prior to shipping them to wholesalers around the country.  The new electric hookups provide a cleaner, quieter alternative.

“With these 20 units, the air’s going to be a little cleaner.  These are emissions that aren’t going to go into people’s lungs and cause problems,” says Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara.  The new outlets eliminate the use of up to 600 gallons of diesel fuel every week, and will eliminate up to 120 tons of air pollutants from the site.

The project was funded by DuPont to offset the addition of two large boilers at its Edge Moor site in Wilmington in compliance with the Coastal Zone Act.  The Act requires any application for a permit for new or expanded manufacturing activity in the Coastal Zone to offset air emissions and other negative impacts on the environment.  Edge Moore plant manager Elizabeth Schowe says, “Providing the funds for this project helped DuPont, the community and the environment in another way.  This project enabled us to install two clean-burning, energy-efficient gas fired generators at our plant.”