DNREC to host public meeting Monday, Jan. 8 in Wilmington as listening session on EPA’s proposed repeal of federal Clean Power Plan

Agency to provide opportunity for public input from Delawareans and other East Coast citizens on EPA’s proposal

WILMINGTON – Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host a public meeting Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 to provide an opportunity for Delawareans and citizens of other East Coast states to comment on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal the federal Clean Power Plan (CPP). The DNREC-sponsored listening session will begin at 10 a.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

The goal of the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon pollution from coal-, oil-, and natural gas-burning power plants, all of which have been scientifically-proven as contributing to climate change. As the lowest lying state in the nation, Delaware already is experiencing the detrimental effects of climate change, and both Delaware and the nation will be further impacted by EPA’s proposed repeal of the plan. Because EPA has refused to provide a reasonable venue for Delawareans and others along the East Coast to voice their opinions on the proposed CPP repeal, DNREC has chosen to conduct a listening session enabling that opportunity. The EPA has held a public hearing only in Charleston, W. Va., and though additional hearings are planned for the Midwest and California, none are to take place on the East Coast. Comments from the Delaware public meeting will be submitted in the form of a transcript on behalf of all who speak on the proposed repeal to EPA’s federal docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355.

“EPA should not take action to repeal this important rule without first hearing from our citizens – and Delaware has stepped up to host this public meeting because EPA is not offering a reasonable venue for citizens’ voices to be heard,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The Clean Power Plan offers the states a vital and flexible tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s fossil-fuel burning power plants. We are hosting the meeting to afford the public the opportunity to participate in the EPA’s decision-making process that will directly impact their lives and environment.”

The federal Clean Power Plan – formally known by its EPA title “Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (EGUs)” – was promulgated on Oct. 23, 2015. On Oct. 16, 2017 the EPA proposed repealing it. More details about the Clean Power Plan can be found on EPA’s website, including the final rule, technical analyses, and other supporting information.

DNREC’s Division of Air Quality, which is hosting the listening session for comment on the CPP, anticipates limiting each speaker to five minutes, but time may be adjusted, depending on the number of people who register to speak. Those who still wish to speak are asked to register by emailing Valerie Gray (Valerie.Gray@delaware.gov).

For updated information on the CPP meeting and for more information on DNREC’s climate and greenhouse gas mitigation programs, please visit the Clean Power Plan webpage on the DNREC website. More information about the meeting and listening session is available on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.

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

Vol. 48, No. 3

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