HARRINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate teamed up with the Delaware Technology Student Association Thursday, April 26 to host 19 teams of middle school students from across the state for the 2018 Junior Solar Sprint solar-powered model car competition, with racers competing for top speed in time trials, as well as for awards in engineering design and creative design.

Students and educators representing 12 schools gathered in Harrington for the event, a Delaware tradition for more than 20 years in which students work with classmates and teacher advisors to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels. When the Junior Solar Sprint competition came to a close, Pierre S. duPont Middle School of Wilmington was declared the all-around winner for combined speed, design, and presentation. Henry B. duPont Middle School of Hockessin came second, with Fred Fifer III Middle School of Camden third. (See additional Junior Solar Sprint results below.)

“Junior Solar Sprint challenges students to think about ways that we can meet our energy needs cleanly and securely,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “The best learning happens while students are having fun. They gain fond memories looking back – and career ideas looking forward.”

The Junior Solar Sprint competition is part of a national program from the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program. It encourages students to engage in problem-solving, teamwork, and creative scientific thinking to solve environmental challenges. This year’s competition took place as one event in the Delaware Technology Student Association 2018 State Conference, which drew several hundred students to compete in various science and technology challenges.

Participating schools in this year’s Junior Solar Sprint were:

• H.B. duPont Middle School, Hockessin
• P.S. duPont Middle School, Wilmington
• Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington
• Holy Cross School, Dover
• Fred Fifer III Middle School, Camden
• Beacon Middle School, Lewes
• Springer Middle School, Wilmington
• Postlethwait Middle School, Camden
• Central Middle School, Dover
• Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Newark
• The Jefferson School, Georgetown
• Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Middletown

Competition Results
All-around winners for combined speed, design, and presentation:

• 1st place: Team #18, P.S. duPont Middle School
• 2nd place: Team #15, H.B. duPont Middle School
• 3rd place: Team # 9, Fred Fifer III Middle School

Top five teams in time-trial races:

• 1st place: Team #18, P.S. duPont Middle School
• 2nd place: Team #15, H.B. duPont Middle School
• 3rd place: Team #4, Beacon Middle School
• 4th place: Team #17, Holy Cross School
• 5th place: Team #23, Springer Middle School

Top five teams in creative design:

• 1st place: Team #6, Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• 2nd place: Team #16, Holy Cross School
• 3rd place: Team #23, Springer Middle School
• 4th place: Team #7, Central Middle School
• 5th place: Team #4, Beacon Middle School

DNREC would like to thank the 2018 Junior Solar Sprint sponsors: Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, Delaware Electric Cooperative, Chesapeake Utilities, and CMI Solar.

For more information on renewable energy programs administered by DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate, visit dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/energy-climate/renewable/.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 95

-30-

Rollback is detrimental to Delaware’s environment, economy and public health, Governor says

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider the agency’s planned revision of Light Duty Vehicle Standards for auto emissions because of adverse environmental, economic and health impacts for Delaware.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced Monday his intention to roll back Light Duty Vehicle Standards, which in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fuel economy standards, require automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the fuel economy of cars and pickup trucks. As currently drafted, these regulations create fuel savings for drivers, promote a healthier environment, reduce dependence on imported oil, and also have led to a greater selection of clean-energy vehicle technologies for Delawareans to choose from.

“In Delaware, almost 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, and the reduction of emissions in this sector has become an important strategy for the state to mitigate the effects of climate change and to improve air quality,” said Governor Carney. “I am urging the Trump administration to reconsider their plan to roll back the Light Duty Vehicle regulations. Taking this action will be detrimental to the public’s health and quality of life, especially vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.”

California has a Clean Air Act waiver from EPA that allows it to set more stringent emissions standards. Delaware, along with 12 other states and the District of Columbia, has adopted the California standards for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and mitigate the effects of climate change. The California waiver is being reexamined by EPA for possible elimination. Governor Carney said Delaware supports the continuation of the California waiver under the Clean Air Act.

“Greenhouse gas emissions are not only detrimental to public health, but they also speed up climate change impacts including sea level rise. Since Delaware is the lowest lying State, the effects of climate change and sea level rise will also negatively affect Delaware’s economy and the tourism industry,” said Shawn Garvin, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “However, despite EPA’s plan to revise light duty vehicle standards, the State will continue to manage programs and create policies that help with transportation innovation and further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate and Coastal Programs manages the state’s Clean Transportation Incentive Program, which provides rebates for electric and other clean vehicles. Since the start of this program in 2015, over 660 Delawareans and Delaware businesses have received rebates for electric vehicles, which reduce CO2 emissions in the state by approximately 2,000 tons annually.

###

Related news:
U.S. Climate Alliance Statement on Weakening of Pollution Standards
Delaware Joins U.S. Climate Alliance to Uphold Goals of Paris Agreement
Governor Carney Releases Statement on Trump Administration’s Offshore Drilling Plan
Governor Carney Releases Statement on Call with U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke
Governor Carney, Atlantic Governors Issue Joint Letter to U.S. Department of Interior Opposing Offshore Drilling
Delaware to Sue U.S. EPA for Failure to Curb Out-of-State Air Pollution

DOVER – Nominations are being accepted by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control through March 23 for individuals interested in serving on the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC). The committee will comprise 15 to 21 members, representing different stakeholder interests and areas of technical expertise related to Delaware’s Coastal Zone.

The Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor John Carney in August 2017. The Act authorizes the permitted use of 14 existing industrial sites in Delaware’s Coastal Zone for new heavy industry, construction, operation, and – in certain approved cases – bulk product transfer. The Act requires DNREC to develop and promulgate regulations for issuance of conversion permits by Oct. 1, 2019. The RAC will provide guidance and feedback to DNREC on the development of these regulations.

The committee structure was determined by using extensive public feedback collected from stakeholder interviews, public workshops, and verbal and written public comments.

“Delaware’s Coastal Zone is important to and valued by Delawareans in many different ways,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “We want people from all communities, organizations, and interests to feel that their voices are being heard in this process, and we encourage individuals to nominate themselves or others to become part of this committee.”

A nomination form and a conflict-of-interest disclosure form are required for each nominee. Forms can be found on DNREC’s alpha website, or can be obtained by contacting the DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate at 302-735-3480, or by emailing CZA_Conversion_Permits@delaware.gov. Coastal Zone Conversion Permit RAC nominations should be sent by US Mail to DNREC Division of Energy & Climate, Attn: Susan Love, 100 West Water Street, Suite 5A, Dover, DE 19904 or by email to CZA_Conversion_Permits@delaware.gov. For more information, please visit de.gov/conversionpermits.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 53

-30-

DOVER – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control this week introduced Andrea Kreiner as DNREC’s new director of the Division of Energy & Climate.

For more than 13 years, Kreiner has owned and operated a sustainability-focused consulting business that provides services to government, universities, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations. She previously served as a policy advisor for Governor Ruth Ann Minner. Kreiner also is a Sustainability and Society adjunct instructor at Delaware Technical Community College, and a former DNREC employee who worked in the area of pollution prevention for more than 10 years.

Director Kreiner received her Master of Science degree in resource economics from the University of Rhode Island, and earned, with distinction, a Bachelor of Science degree in applied economics and business management specializing in energy economics from Cornell University. She has more than 25 years of experience in the environmental field and has written numerous publications.

Vol. 48, No. 36

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DOVER – Nominations are now being accepted for membership on the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act Regulatory Advisory Committee, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. The committee will comprise 15 to 21 members, representing different stakeholder interests and areas of technical expertise related to Delaware’s Coastal Zone. Nominations are due by March 23.

The Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor John Carney in August 2017. The Act authorizes the permitted use of 14 existing industrial sites in Delaware’s Coastal Zone for new heavy industry, construction, operation, and – in certain approved cases – bulk product transfer. The Act requires DNREC to develop and promulgate regulations for issuance of conversion permits by Oct. 1, 2019. The Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC) will provide guidance and feedback to DNREC on the development of these regulations.

The committee structure was determined by using extensive public feedback collected from stakeholder interviews, public workshops, and verbal and written public comments.

“Delaware’s Coastal Zone is important to and valued by Delawareans in many different ways,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “We want people from all communities, organizations, and interests to feel that their voices are being heard in this process, and we encourage individuals to nominate themselves or others to become part of this committee.”

A nomination form and a conflict-of-interest disclosure form are required for each nominee. Forms can be found on DNREC’s alpha website, or can be obtained by contacting the DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate at 302-735-3480, or by emailing CZA_Conversion_Permits@delaware.gov. Coastal Zone Conversion Permit RAC nominations should be sent by US Mail to DNREC Division of Energy & Climate, Attn: Susan Love, 100 West Water Street, Suite 5A, Dover, DE 19904 or by email to CZA_Conversion_Permits@delaware.gov. For more information, please visit de.gov/conversionpermits.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 34

-30-