Delaware News


Delaware to continue climate change fight, pushing ahead with Clean Power Plan objectives

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy | Date Posted: Monday, February 15, 2016



Despite CPP setback from Supreme Court stay, DNREC to host listening session and public workshop March 1 on path forward

DOVER – The State of Delaware will continue preparing for implementation of the Clean Power Plan, undeterred by a Supreme Court stay of the EPA’s proposed rule issued Feb. 9. DNREC has scheduled a public workshop and listening session for March 1 in Dover to discuss the state’s strategy toward meeting the objectives of the Clean Power Plan, and to gather input from citizens on this essential part of the fight against climate change and its impacts on Delawareans.

The EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from power plants while encouraging clean and renewable energy across the country, was temporarily suspended on Tuesday in the face of legal opposition. Delaware Governor Jack Markell was “disappointed in the Supreme Court’s action, but optimistic that the Clean Power Plan will be upheld when the courts review the merits of the case” and followed by declaring that, “We remain determined to move forward in responding to the issue of climate change.”

“As a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) state, Delaware has led the country in working to curtail greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector,” Gov. Markell said, “and we will continue to do so regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Clean Power Plan rule. As a coastal state, we are acutely aware of the serious threats of climate change and sea level rise, and the Clean Power Plan represents a sensible and flexible approach for states to make the changes required to protect our economy and quality of life.”

Without the significant reduction of heat-trapping greenhouse gas pollutants, Delaware faces projected increased days of extreme temperatures, stronger storms, rising sea levels, and costly damage to agriculture, industry, and public health and resources.

“We understand that the legal issues of the Clean Power Plan need to work themselves out, but we must continue the strong actions we have taken through our participation in RGGI, the Delaware Climate Change Impact Assessment and Executive Order 41, which has directed agencies to identify steps we can take to further reduce emissions and adapt,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Along with many other states, we will continue to develop our plans to comply with the Clean Power Plan – and gathering feedback from stakeholders in the energy sector, conservation organizations and the public is an important part of that process. ”

Sec. Small noted that as of 2014, RGGI states including Delaware have seen carbon pollution from the power sector decrease by over 40 percent, and have benefitted from lower energy costs and positive job creation.

DNREC’s March 1 workshop and informal listening session will provide an opportunity for public input on methods for reducing carbon pollution from power plants, and how Delaware can achieve the goals of the Clean Power Plan in ways that are both environmentally and economically sustainable, while also maintaining the integrity of the state’s and region’s electrical infrastructure. The session will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. More information can be found on the Division of Air Quality’s website.

For more information on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, visit http://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan.

For more information on climate change impacts and action in Delaware, visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/energy/Pages/The-Delaware-Climate-Impact-Assessment.aspx.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 41

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Delaware to continue climate change fight, pushing ahead with Clean Power Plan objectives

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy | Date Posted: Monday, February 15, 2016



Despite CPP setback from Supreme Court stay, DNREC to host listening session and public workshop March 1 on path forward

DOVER – The State of Delaware will continue preparing for implementation of the Clean Power Plan, undeterred by a Supreme Court stay of the EPA’s proposed rule issued Feb. 9. DNREC has scheduled a public workshop and listening session for March 1 in Dover to discuss the state’s strategy toward meeting the objectives of the Clean Power Plan, and to gather input from citizens on this essential part of the fight against climate change and its impacts on Delawareans.

The EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from power plants while encouraging clean and renewable energy across the country, was temporarily suspended on Tuesday in the face of legal opposition. Delaware Governor Jack Markell was “disappointed in the Supreme Court’s action, but optimistic that the Clean Power Plan will be upheld when the courts review the merits of the case” and followed by declaring that, “We remain determined to move forward in responding to the issue of climate change.”

“As a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) state, Delaware has led the country in working to curtail greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector,” Gov. Markell said, “and we will continue to do so regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Clean Power Plan rule. As a coastal state, we are acutely aware of the serious threats of climate change and sea level rise, and the Clean Power Plan represents a sensible and flexible approach for states to make the changes required to protect our economy and quality of life.”

Without the significant reduction of heat-trapping greenhouse gas pollutants, Delaware faces projected increased days of extreme temperatures, stronger storms, rising sea levels, and costly damage to agriculture, industry, and public health and resources.

“We understand that the legal issues of the Clean Power Plan need to work themselves out, but we must continue the strong actions we have taken through our participation in RGGI, the Delaware Climate Change Impact Assessment and Executive Order 41, which has directed agencies to identify steps we can take to further reduce emissions and adapt,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Along with many other states, we will continue to develop our plans to comply with the Clean Power Plan – and gathering feedback from stakeholders in the energy sector, conservation organizations and the public is an important part of that process. ”

Sec. Small noted that as of 2014, RGGI states including Delaware have seen carbon pollution from the power sector decrease by over 40 percent, and have benefitted from lower energy costs and positive job creation.

DNREC’s March 1 workshop and informal listening session will provide an opportunity for public input on methods for reducing carbon pollution from power plants, and how Delaware can achieve the goals of the Clean Power Plan in ways that are both environmentally and economically sustainable, while also maintaining the integrity of the state’s and region’s electrical infrastructure. The session will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. More information can be found on the Division of Air Quality’s website.

For more information on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, visit http://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan.

For more information on climate change impacts and action in Delaware, visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/energy/Pages/The-Delaware-Climate-Impact-Assessment.aspx.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 41

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.