DOVER – Final amendments to the Regulations Governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone, approved Aug. 26 by the Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board (CZICB), have been published in the September Register of Regulations and become effective Sept. 11, 2019, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced today.

HB190, signed into law by Governor John Carney on Aug. 2, 2017, authorized the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to issue permits for construction and operation of new heavy industry uses at 14 existing heavy industry use sites within the state’s Coastal Zone. Like standard Coastal Zone permits, conversion permits require an assessment of the environmental and economic impacts of the proposed conversion.

To begin the process of developing regulations, DNREC Secretary Garvin convened a Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC), comprising various stakeholder groups and chaired by retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice Randy Holland. The committee provided recommendations on a number of issues, including a Sea Level Rise and Coastal Storms Plan, an Environmental Remediation and Stabilization Plan, and evidence of financial assurance. DNREC then held public workshops to gather input on developing regulations for issuing permits.

The committee’s work and recommendations were presented at open houses, where public comments were received. Comments also were submitted to DNREC during a public comment period. The Secretary’s draft regulations and amendments were also presented to the CZICB for approval, as mandated by the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act.

“From the start of the process, DNREC has been committed to developing the regulations governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act Conversion Permit, consistent with the law, in a transparent manner that facilitated and encouraged public input and involvement,” Secretary Garvin said. “The new regulations incorporate recommendations from the RAC, technical experts, and the public that were received throughout the process.”

The regulations provide for Coastal Zone Conversion Permits to return industrial sites to active or more productive use while ensuring the protection of natural resources.

The new Regulations Governing Delaware’s Coastal Zone can be found online at Delaware’s Register of Regulations.

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

Vol. 49, No. 229

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Free, family-oriented career fair to expose middle school students, adults to careers in construction industry

WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney on Friday announced the second annual Governor’s Construction Career Expo – a family-friendly career fair for adults and youth to explore a career in construction – will take place on Monday, September 23. The Expo will introduce training and career paths to roughly 2,000 middle school students in the morning and feature a career fair for students, families, and community members from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“We’re working hard to make sure that all Delawareans have the opportunity to succeed and share in our state’s economic progress,” said Governor Carney. “This year’s Construction Career Expo will help connect Delawareans with meaningful career opportunities in construction fields, which have historically provided paths into the middle class for thousands of Delaware workers and their families. It’s also a chance to expose Delaware students and adults to good-paying, skilled construction careers that are in demand and can help strengthen Delaware’s workforce.”

The construction industry has added almost 2,000 jobs in the past two years, and further growth for the industry is projected. The career fair is open to the public and will provide hands-on learning opportunities and interactive experiences. This initiative will connect employers and career-seekers, and continue to train and develop a strong, skilled Delaware workforce.
 
 
 
“Increasing awareness and access to career training and apprenticeship opportunities in the in-demand industries of our state will be key to meeting Delaware’s workforce needs,” said Cerron Cade, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor. “Specifically, careers in the construction industry provide excellent wages and benefits to its workers. Those are two of the most important ingredients to creating strong families, strong communities, and a robust economy.”

The Governor’s Construction Career Expo is presented in partnership with:

• Office of the Governor
• AFSCME
• Delaware State AFL-CIO
• Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council
• Delaware Chief School Officers Association
• Delaware Contractors Association
• Delaware Department of Education
• Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• Delaware Department of Labor
• Delaware Department of Transportation
• Associated Builders and Contractors
• The Committee of 100
• City of Wilmington
• Delaware Technical Community College

“A career in construction provides paid training, room for advancement, a good paycheck, and solid benefits. Regardless of age or experience, we are always seeking hardworking men and women who are looking for a career opportunity,” said Alisha Wayman Bryson, Vice President of Wayman Fire Protection. “We look forward to welcoming students and Delawareans at this year’s Expo, where they will get a firsthand look at all the construction industry has to offer them and their families.”

“Governor Carney’s Construction Career Expo is an opportunity for our Unions to showcase the contributions made every day by the working men and women of our state, and how big of a role they play in Delaware’s economy,” said James Maravelias, President of the Delaware State AFL-CIO. “We are pleased to be partnering with the Governor again on this event, which will also introduce young Delawareans to careers in construction. We look forward to working together to promote good-paying careers in the Building Trades Unions.”

“This career event exposes our students to people, programs, and equipment that they otherwise wouldn’t see and experience either at home or in school,” said Dr. Mark Holodick, Superintendent of Brandywine School District. “They also get to interact with folks who actually do the work, gaining a better understanding of the skills they are going to need when they enter the workforce. It helps make the connection between what’s happening in the classroom and what they are aspiring to do as adults.”

Learn more and sign up to receive updates about the Governor’s Construction Career Expo.

Use the hashtag #DEBuilds to spread the word and follow discussion about the Governor’s Construction Career Expo on social media.

Share the Facebook event.

Watch and share a video about the event.

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Governor John Carney released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announced its decision to replace the Clean Power Plan with the Affordable Clean Energy Rule:

“I’m disappointed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to replace the Clean Power Plan with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, which removes a strong incentive for states and the Federal government to work together to protect and improve air quality.

“Delaware citizens and our economy will be negatively affected by the ACE Rule. Rising average temperatures and prolonged heat waves pose critical health risks to Delaware farmers, outdoor workers, children, and the elderly. Changing climate conditions will increase local levels of particulate matter and ground-level ozone, which increase the risk our residents face of premature death and chronic heart and lung problems, and many of these pollutants are transported from states to the west of us. These threats will only increase if we do not take a stance as a nation and a global community to reduce the human emissions of greenhouse gases that feed rapid climate change.

“We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change and the dangers it poses to all of us.”

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Dover — The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin has released the Final Report and Recommendations of the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC). The report was presented to DNREC by the RAC Chairman, retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice Randy Holland, and contains the committee’s recommendations regarding the regulatory approach and content of new regulations for Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act governing conversion permits.

HB 190, the Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Act, was signed into law by Governor John 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.

“The RAC’s recommendations will serve as the guide to DNREC as we draft the conversion permit regulations,” said Secretary Garvin. “I greatly appreciate the time and effort of the RAC members and I commend them in their ability to not only develop the recommendations, but to work together to reach consensus on almost all of their recommendations. I thank Justice Holland and our facilitators from the Consensus Building Institute for their incredible leadership in this process that will serve as the gold standard for future regulatory advisory committees.”

RAC recommendations in the CZCP report address several key topic areas, including:

• Environmental impact
• Economic effect
• Offsets
• Financial assurance
• Plans for potential impacts of sea level rise and coastal storms
• Cross-cutting issues (that affect more than one of the other CZCP key topic areas, such as permit duration, renewal, modifications, revocation, reporting and monitoring)

DNREC will now prepare draft regulations that will be published in the Delaware Register on June 1, 2019. The draft regulations will go through a full regulatory development process, including public comment and a public hearing to be held later in June.

To view or download a copy of the CZCP report, please visit de.gov/conversionpermits. To receive updates on the regulatory process for developing the conversion permit, you can also subscribe to the Coastal Zone Act email listserv by sending a blank email to join-dnrec_coastal_zone@lists.state.de.us.

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

Vol. 49, No. 115

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Public events scheduled in all three counties to discuss Delaware’s economy, economic development

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) announced community conversations on economic development efforts scheduled in all three counties. Governor Carney, co-chair of the DPP, will join DPP President, W. Kurt Foreman, as well as DPP staff and board members, to provide an update on the public-private partnership that leads economic development for the state.

The Delaware Prosperity Partnership is responsible for attracting, growing and retaining businesses; building a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and supporting private employers in identifying, recruiting and developing talent in the state of Delaware. The state jointly funds the partnership’s operations with private business.

Governor Carney worked closely with members of the General Assembly to approve the concept and funding for the public-private entity. In August 2017, Governor Carney signed House Bill 226, creating the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and the Division of Small Business within the Delaware Department of State.

Governor Carney signed Executive Order #1 on his first full day in office to create the Economic Development Working Group to explore a new economic development strategy. Governor Carney’s economic development plan was built on recommendations from the Economic Development Working Group. Strategically partnering with the private sector on economic growth was a key recommendation of the Governor’s Action Plan for Delaware.

DPP Community Conversations on Economic Development

Each event is open to members of the public and press.

Tuesday, February 19 – GEORGETOWN

Wednesday, March 20 – DOVER

Tuesday, April 2 – WILMINGTON