DNREC to Issue New Permits for Expansion of Bioenergy Devco’s Seaford Facility, Including Biogas Production

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin has approved permits associated with the expansion of Bioenergy Devco, LLC’s Seaford facility – an expansion which will enable the company to produce biogas at the company’s organic waste composting operation at the site. A DNREC Secretary’s Order issued today authorizes Bioenergy Devco (BDC) to construct an anaerobic digestion system, a wastewater pre-treatment system and a biogas upgrading plant. BDC currently accepts organic waste from poultry industry sources for composting.

The DNREC Secretary’s Order approves five new permits for BDC, including:

A Resource Recovery Permit from the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances;
Two 7 DE Admin. Code 1102 Natural Minor air quality permits from the DNREC Division of Air Quality; and
Two wastewater facility construction permits from the DNREC Division of Water.

The permits are published at the DNREC website at de.gov/biodevco. The permitting process for BDC’s biogas production “included a significant amount of outreach to and from the community,” Secretary Garvin said in the DNREC order. “The permits being issued to BDC are reflective of the applications submitted to DNREC, the comments provided by the public on this matter during the public comment period and the Oct. 26, 2022 public hearing, as well as being consistent with our mission to protect human health and the environment.”

Once the permits are issued by the impacted DNREC divisions, BDC will be authorized by the State of Delaware to initiate the construction phase of the Seaford facility’s expansion. When construction has been completed and certified by DNREC, BDC will begin operating the anaerobic digester in addition to the existing composting facility. The anaerobic digester will produce cleaner gas and digestate. Composting operations at BDC’s Seaford facility have continued throughout the permitting process.

Once BDC’s expanded Seaford operations reaches full capacity, it will process an expected 250,000 tons of organic wastes from the poultry industry annually into stable compost which can be used regionally to replace chemical fertilizers – along with the biogas – renewable natural gas – to be produced and injected into Chesapeake Utilities’ pipelines for use by the utility’s Sussex County customers. BDC’s processing of poultry waste is expected to lessen the nutrient burden on local watersheds, helping to reduce pollution and nutrient runoff within Delaware and the Chesapeake Bay.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Air Quality monitors and regulates all emissions to the air. The DNREC Division of Water manages and protects Delaware’s water resources. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DNREC Extends Ocean Lifeguard Coverage to Weekends in September

2024 Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol Tryouts to Begin Sunday.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will continue to have lifeguards at two of its four Delaware State Parks ocean swimming areas after Labor Day, during weekends through Sept. 24. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cape Henlopen State Park and Delaware Seashore State Park’s South Inlet beaches.

Delaware State Parks ocean swimming areas are typically unguarded after Labor Day. The extension of weekend lifeguarding for the 2023 season is made possible by the significant growth of the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol (DSBP) under new leadership; more than 70 lifeguards were hired this year. Those looking to swim at Delaware State Parks are encouraged to utilize guarded beach areas. After Labor Day weekend, all Delaware State Parks beaches will be unguarded during the week.

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation will hold tryouts for the 2024 summer season at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3. at the Delaware Seashore State Park South Inlet Day Area and Sunday, Sept 10 at Cape Henlopen State Park. Those interested in trying out can find registration information at destateparks.com/beachpatrol.

The Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol is an elite group of men and women responsible for ocean rescue and beach safety, who also receive nationally certified training and compete in local, state, regional and national lifeguard competitions.

More than a dozen DSBP lifeguards competed in the U.S. Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championship held Aug. 10 to 12 as part of the Sussex County Lifesaving team in Virginia Beach. Each DSBP guard was required to compete in three races per day, with several making the semi-finals and finals.

Two guards stood out for DSBP: Coleman Woodard and Josh McIntire. Woodard qualified and was selected for the USA Under 19 National Team and McIntire qualified and was selected for the USA Open National Team. They will now go on to compete at the International Lifesaving Competition from Sept. 18 to 25 in South Padre Island, Texas. Only eight men and eight women in the country are selected to represent Team USA at the event.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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DNREC Issues Temporary Emergency Variance for Air Quality to Perdue Foods’ Milford Processing Plant

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has issued a temporary emergency variance for air quality to allow for the construction and operation of a rental boiler at Perdue Foods, LLC’s Milford poultry processing facility until a temporary permit can be issued following a public notice to appear Sunday, Sept. 3.

On Sunday, Aug. 27, plant managers at Perdue Milford – which processes approximately 240,000 chickens daily – discovered a critical failure in one of their permitted boilers. The boiler remains inoperable at this time.

The DNREC Division of Air Quality expects to issue a temporary air permit for the rental boiler early next week. The permit will allow the rental boiler to operate for up to 90 days. The variance incorporates requirements for Perdue Foods, LLC to develop a boiler maintenance plan for the Milford poultry processing plant, including a plan for long-term facility maintenance, and requires the facility to solidify a commitment to continuous compliance with Delaware’s environmental regulations.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov ; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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Funding Available for Tree-Planting Projects

Tree For Every Delawarean Initiative Proposals Due Oct. 23

Municipalities can join state agencies and non-governmental organizations with 501(c)(3) status in applying for funding from the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) for their tree-planting projects.

Funding requests can include multiple projects and may range from $20,000 to $90,000.

“Planting trees is a nature-based solution to reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and it plays a critical role in helping fight climate change,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Together with increased energy efficiency and transitioning to clean energy sources, TEDI is helping Delaware move toward a sustainable future.”

Trees also improve air and water quality, preserve soil, and they support wildlife.

Last year, a total of $100,000 in funding was awarded to projects, resulting in almost 7,500 trees being planted. Since the program launched in November 2021, approximately 80,000 trees have been planted with the support of TEDI funds. Combined with other funding sources, community efforts and individual plantings, more than 180,000 trees have been planted toward a goal of 1 million.

This is the first year that municipalities are eligible to apply for funding.

Applications must be submitted to the DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy by 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23. Visit the TEDI website for more information on the program and call for proposals requirements, or email questions to TEDI@delaware.gov.

Delawareans can join in the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative by tracking trees they plant on their own property and inputting the information in the TEDI Tracker at de.gov/tedi.

Information on funding from other TEDI partners, as well as tips on native species, proper planting techniques and how to care for trees can also be found on the TEDI website.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, Michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov

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DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1

The Point’s ocean beach will reopen Sept. 1 while the bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean beach and dunes, and a half-mile along the bay shoreline on Friday, Sept. 1. The bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

The area to reopen includes a stretch of ocean beach and dunes that was previously closed on March 1. Since 1993, The Point has closed annually each March for the benefit of threatened and endangered beach-nesters and migratory shorebirds, including red knot, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns and other species.

The DNREC Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife, and Watershed Stewardship have worked together since 1990 to implement a management plan to increase beach-nester and migratory shorebird populations.

For more information, contact Cape Henlopen State Park at 302-645-8983, or stop by the park office.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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