Electrified outlets at Trinity Distribution Services improve quality of life for neighbors

(NEW CASTLE, Dec. 9, 2011) – Neighbors of Trinity Distribution Services in New Castle are benefitting from an environmentally-friendly project that improves air quality and the quality of life for residents in neighborhoods adjacent to the facility. Twenty diesel generators used to power refrigerated storage containers at the company’s Roger Road site have been replaced with electrified outlets, significantly reducing air pollutants, diesel fumes and noise in the community.

“We’re looking for ways to make our air cleaner to breathe,” said Governor Jack Markell. “These electrified outlets provide a cleaner, safe, effective alternative to diesel. Together, we’re making progress eliminating odors and noise while reducing health risks in the community.”

The project was made possible by an agreement between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and DuPont, under which DuPont, as a condition of its Delaware Coastal Zone permit, funded this project to offset air emissions from two new boilers at the DuPont Edge Moor facility in Wilmington. The project will eliminate up to 120 tons of harmful air pollutants annually from the Trinity site and produce significant health and environmental benefits for the community.

“Ensuring that all Delawareans can breathe clean air is a top priority for DNREC. Through this project, New Castle area residents will experience significantly less pollution, noise and odors than were produced by the diesel generators at Trinity’s facility near the Port of Wilmington,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara.

Under the agreement, DuPont provided $225,000 to replace Trinity Distribution Service’s diesel generators with electrified outlets and an additional $25,000 to fund technical and administrative oversight of the project by the Clean Air Council through its diesel pollution reduction program.

“The Clean Air Council is proud to be a part of a project that will have a significant impact not only on the environment but also on public health, both at the port and in the surrounding community,” said Joe Minott, executive director of the Clean Air Council.

“We are happy to work collaboratively with DNREC on projects that improve air quality and the overall quality of life for the community,” said Edge Moor Plant Manager Elizabeth Schowe.

“Rose Hill Community Center is absolutely delighted that after years of work by Oakmont community residents, the trucking company and state officials, this community concern is headed for a positive outcome,” said Deborah Deubert, deputy director of the Rose Hill Community Center.

“This project demonstrates Trinity’s support of greener achievements as an EPA Smartway Transport Partner and as a partner in the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® program. Our nationwide corporate purpose is to continually improve people’s lives by constantly striving to be our best in logistics and in everything we do, and this project is another way to enact that purpose,” said Darrel Banning, Trinity Distribution Services President.

This project complements the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce diesel emissions, including projects funded by EPA and grants made available through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.

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Former Governor Russell Peterson signed the Delaware Coastal Zone Act into law on June 28, 1971. The Governor and General Assembly of 1971 recognized that the coastal areas of Delaware are the most critical areas for the future of the State in terms of quality of life. This law is designed to protect Delaware’s coastal area from the destructive impacts of heavy industrialization and offshore bulk product transfer facilities. The Act is intended to protect the natural environment of the coastal areas and safeguard their use primarily for recreation and tourism.

An application for a Coastal Zone Permit is necessary for any new or expanded manufacturing activity that will have an impact on the environment, the economy, the aesthetics or neighboring land uses.

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