DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that a final report outlining recommendations for the formation and work plan of a regulatory advisory committee (RAC) for Coastal Zone Conversion Permits has been completed and is available to the public.

The report – prepared by the non-profit Consensus Building Institute (CBI) – contains 13 recommendations for DNREC to consider as the Department establishes a regulatory advisory committee to develop regulations for Coastal Zone Conversion Permits. Those recommendations were informed by a series of one-on-one interviews with stakeholders held in October 2017, by two public workshops held last November, and by public comments on the draft document made available in December.

The report, available on the DNREC website at de.gov/conversionpermits, also contains a list of stakeholders interviewed by CBI, a summary of the public workshops, and a compilation of public comments received on the draft report, among other resources.

HB 190, the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act, was signed into law by Governor Carney in August 2017. The Act authorizes DNREC to issue permits for construction and operation of new heavy industry uses within 14 existing sites of heavy industry use within the state’s Coastal Zone. It also authorizes DNREC to issue permits for the bulk transfer of products under certain circumstances. The Act requires DNREC to develop and promulgate regulations for the issuance of conversion permits by Oct. 1, 2019.

DNREC will use the recommendations and information contained in the report to guide the formation and work of the regulatory advisory committee. DNREC intends to begin soliciting nominations for committee members in mid-February and anticipates hosting an initial RAC meeting in April.

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

Vol. 48, No. 22

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Governor: “I am here today to state that the rest of the country must follow Delaware’s lead and be part of the solution”

WILMINGTON, Del.— Governor John Carney joined Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) at its public meeting on Monday to offer public comment on the Trump Administration’s proposal to repeal the federal Clean Power Plan. The goal of the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon pollution from coal-, oil-, and natural gas-burning power plants, and combat the threat of climate change. President Trump issued an executive order last year to dismantle the plan. In his remarks, Governor Carney stated the importance of the Clean Power Plan to regulate greenhouse gases, address climate change, and improve air quality.

Below are excerpts from Governor Carney’s remarks, which will be submitted to the EPA:

“Our state environmental regulators are charged with protecting Delawareans’ health and our environment, in collaboration with the federal government. The proposed repeal will make our efforts to reduce carbon pollution much more difficult, and will also remove a strong incentive for states and the federal government to work together to clean up our air….the citizens and economy of Delaware are negatively affected by these changes and if the Clean Power Plan is repealed, we will suffer even more.

Rising average temperatures and prolonged heat waves pose critical health threats to Delaware farmers, outdoor workers, children, and the elderly….these threats will only increase if we don’t take a stance as a nation and a global community to reduce the human emissions of greenhouse gases that feed rapid climate change. Delaware has become a national leader in taking that stance, going to great lengths to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CPP builds on experiences of the states who have already begun enacting clean energy policies – Delaware chief among them. Moving ahead with the Clean Power Plan is of particular importance to Delaware, given EPA’s failure to directly address emissions from power plants that impact Delaware’s air quality. CPP promises to provide additional ozone precursor emissions reductions – which would mean significant public health benefits.

I am convinced that the nation needs viable environmental action such as the Clean Power Plan. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change and the perils it poses to all of us here in the United States and around the world.  I leave you today with the pledge that Delaware stands ready to implement the Clean Power Plan as originally proposed and I strongly encourage the EPA to reconsider their proposal to repeal it.”

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Related news:

Governor Carney Releases Statement on Trump Administration’s Offshore Drilling Plan
Governor Carney to Trump Administration: No Drilling in the Atlantic
Delaware Joins U.S. Climate Alliance to Uphold Goals of Paris Agreement
Governor Carney’s Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order on Climate Change

DOVER – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that a draft report outlining recommendations for the formation and work plan of a Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC) for Coastal Zone Conversion Permits is now available for public review and comment. Comments on the draft report – prepared by the non-profit Consensus Building Institute (CBI) of Cambridge, Mass. – will be accepted through Jan. 19, 2018.

The report contains 13 recommendations for DNREC to consider as it establishes a Regulatory Advisory Committee to develop regulations for Coastal Zone Conversion Permits. The recommendations were informed by a series of interviews with stakeholders held in October and by two public workshops held in November. The report, available on the DNREC website at http://de.gov/conversionpermits, also contains a list of stakeholders interviewed by CBI and a summary of the public workshops.

Comments on the report can be submitted by emailing CZA_Conversion_Permits@delaware.gov, by USPS mail addressed to CZA Conversion Permits comment, Attn: Kevin Coyle, 100 West Water Street, Suite 5A, Dover, DE 19904, or via online survey found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CZCPArac.

HB 190, the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act, was signed into law by Governor Carney in August. The Act authorizes DNREC to issue permits for construction and operation of new heavy industry uses within 14 existing sites of heavy industry use within the state’s Coastal Zone. It also authorizes DNREC to issue permits for the bulk transfer of products under certain circumstances. The Act requires DNREC to develop and promulgate regulations for the issuance of conversion permits by Oct1, 2019.

Vol. 47, No. 270

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

DOVER – DNREC challenges 5th through 8th grade students to build and race solar-powered model cars in the 2018 Junior Solar Sprint, a statewide challenge of creativity, engineering, and speed. Co-sponsored by DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate and the Delaware Technology Student Association (TSA), the annual competition will be held Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington.

Middle schools statewide may register up to two teams of two to four students each. Registration is free, and the Division of Energy & Climate will provide each participating school with up to two starter kits, each including a solar panel, motor, and wheels.

Registration is due by Jan. 25, 2018, and may be emailed to Caren.Fitzgerald@delaware.gov or sent by mail to: DNREC Division of Energy & Climate, ATTN: Junior Solar Sprint registration, State Street Commons, 100 West Water Street, Suite 5A, Dover, DE 19904.

Complete Junior Solar Sprint rules are posted online at the Division of Energy & Climate’s renewable energy webpage, or the Delaware TSA State Conference webpage. Schools are not required to have a TSA chapter in order to participate. Delaware’s event is part of the National Junior Solar Sprint Competition, sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program.

For more information, email Caren.Fitzgerald@delaware.gov or call 302-735-3480.

Vol. 47, No. 262

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

DOVER – In conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate, Delaware’s Offshore Wind Working Group will host a public workshop Tuesday, Dec. 5 in Sussex County for input about the potential for offshore wind energy and the ways that it might benefit the state. The workshop will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958.

As with a workshop held Nov. 29 in Odessa, the Lewes workshop will begin with a briefing on the status of the Offshore Wind Working Group, which was established by Governor John Carney’s Executive Order 13 in August. Representatives from the US Wind and Deepwater Wind companies will then give a presentation on projects approved earlier this year by the Maryland Public Service Commission, and the prospects for new offshore wind projects that might provide economic opportunities and energy benefits to Delaware. The public will then be invited to comment on these projects in an open forum.

The Offshore Wind Working Group began meeting in October, and by Dec. 15 the group must submit a report to the Governor with recommendations on short- and long-term strategies for developing wind power to serve Delaware, and plans to develop job opportunities in the offshore wind industry.

All Offshore Wind Working Group meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar. Briefing materials, public comments, and additional resources can be found at de.gov/offshorewind.

For more information or to submit written comment, please contact Tom Noyes, Division of Energy & Climate, by emailing Thomas.Noyes@delaware.gov or calling 302-735-3480.

Vol. 47, No. 254

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