WILMINGTON, Del. – On Monday, February 12, at 10:00 a.m., Governor John Carney will be joined by members of his Cabinet, technology entrepreneurs and open data advocates for the signing of Executive Order 18. This Executive Order expands the Delaware Open Data Council to include members from all Executive Branch agencies and continues its work to promote data sharing.

WHAT:         Signing of Executive Order 18 to expand the Delaware Open Data Council

WHO:           Governor John Carney

Jeff Bullock, Secretary, Delaware Department of State

James Collins, Chief Information Officer, Delaware Department of Technology and Information

Dana Rohrbough, Director, Government Information Center

David Ginzberg, Founder, Open Data Delaware

Open Data Council Members

Representatives from The Mill

WHEN:         Monday, February 12, 2018

10:00 a.m.

Media should arrive by 9:45 a.m.

WHERE:       The Mill

1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor

Wilmington, DE 19801

WILMINGTON, Del. – After reviewing customer feedback from three Community Conversations in Wilmington and Newark last week, DART will make a series of improvements. The recent Community Conversations offered DART riders, and the general public, the opportunity to provide feedback and share their experiences since DART’s service changes in mid-December.

“The Community Conversations were intended to present a comfortable forum for our riders to talk one-on-one with DART employees. Staff was able to get meaningful feedback from our customers, and really listen to their specific concerns,” said Delaware Transit CEO, John Sisson. “There were definitely common themes, including the need for more shelters and benches, and restoring a stop at Rodney Square for some routes that pass right by on the way out of town. We’re pleased to be able to address some of the issues sooner, rather than waiting until the May service change.”

The improvements include adding seating at new bus shelters on French St. at 8th St., as well as 10th St. at Tatnall St. In addition, shelters/canopies are being ordered for installation along King Street at 10th St. alongside the library, at 9th and 6th Streets. Beginning this Sunday, February 11, the Rodney Square stop on 10th St. will be restored for service for Routes 2, 6 and 28.

Sisson points out that after restoring service on Routes 2, 6 and 28 next week, there will still be 15 routes serving stops at the square; however, the other route changes will remain in effect and will not be restored to Rodney Square.

“As I have stated before, the success of our state depends in large part on the success of Wilmington,” said Governor Carney. “Rodney Square, which was never intended to serve as a transit hub, can and should be the crown jewel of Wilmington. We must continue the work to revitalize the Square as a historic public park. We’re continuing to make improvements to our transit system that balance the needs of riders and those who use Rodney Square.”

In addition to concerns, several riders offered support to some of the recent changes, including the new route combinations. In addition to relieving congestion on the streets surrounding Rodney Square, by combining some routes, DART is able to offer a one-seat ride, eliminating the need to transfer for those traveling through Wilmington.

Bus Route 4, which was combined with Route 24 and operates between Edgemoor through downtown Wilmington to Prices Corner, has experienced on-time performance issues. Based on actual bus running times, it’s apparent that more time was built into the schedule than what is needed. A revised schedule is being developed with a tentative release date of March 4.

Senator Robert Marshall said, “Bus riders from Wilmington and other places are returning to Rodney Square and new bus shelters and canopies will protect riders from inclement weather. This is a positive first step. John Sisson, DTC CEO, listened to riders and advocates at public meetings and acted in the best interest of DART riders. I view this as a friendly change affirmed by Governor Carney and Cabinet Secretary Cohan with more rider-friendly improvements to our public transit system in the future.”

DART heard concerns regarding other routes, including Routes 13 and 18, that are being reviewed for DART’s May service change. Service proposals will be presented at upcoming Public Hearing Workshops:

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – 11 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 6 PM
Wilmington Public Library, The Commons
10 East 10th Street, Wilmington 19801

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – 1 PM to 3 PM
Dover Public Library (Multi-Purpose Room A)
35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – 3 PM to 5 PM
Milford Public Library (Lions Club Room A)
11 SE Front Street, Milford, DE 19963

The Delaware Transit Corporation, a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), operates DART First State. Real-Time Transit Information is available on the free DelDOT App (iOS and Android), as well as on DART’s Trip Planner at www.DartFirstState.com.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has added two electric vehicles (EV) to its fleet as part of a new pilot program. Adding the two EVs will help the department assess the sustainability, ease of use, and maintenance of these vehicles compared to the department’s traditional fossil fueled light duty fleet vehicles.

The two Ford Focus Electric vehicles have a range of roughly 70 – 100 miles per charge, and will be based at DelDOT’s Danner Campus in Dover where an EV charging station has been installed. Replacing a gas car with an electric vehicle is estimated to save 4.7 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

“When most people think of DelDOT vehicles, they think of large trucks like our snow plows and construction equipment which are largely diesel powered. Not all of our work requires the use of large, fossil fuel vehicles, so this is an opportunity for us to be more environmentally conscious and evaluate the usage of EVs as a fleet vehicle,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

The addition of the two electric vehicles, costing $27,299 each, brings the total number of EVs in the state fleet to a total of five, with the other three currently in use by DNREC’s Division of Energy and Climate. DelDOT is thankful for the technical assistance, cooperation, and financial support of the Division of Natural Resources (DNREC) in the installation of the charging stations at the Danner Campus, and will continue to work with DNREC on environmentally friendly initiatives.

In recent years, states such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, as well as numerous municipalities have launched initiatives to incorporate EVs in their fleets to reduce emissions and fuel costs.

ST. JONES NECK – The celebration of the life and works of Delaware statesman John Dickinson comes to a close with a special program featuring Gov. John Carney and an annual wreath-laying at the graveside of the “Penman of the Revolution.”

The offerings will close out a season of programming to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the publication of Dickinson’s “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies,” the first widely-read treatise laying out the American cause for unity in resistance to British colonial oppression—released in the winter of 1767-68. More information about Dickinson’s “Letters,” his life and times, and scheduled programs can be found at de.gov/johndickinson, presented by the Delaware Department of State.

The final programs include a panel discussion with Gov. Carney at the Delaware Public Archives, and a ceremony at Dickinson’s final resting place in Wilmington.

WHAT: Panel Discussion Featuring Gov. John Carney
Gov. Carney will participate in a panel discussion with two eminent Delaware historians: retired state Supreme Court Justice Randy Holland and former News Journal editorial page editor John Sweeney, author of a forthcoming book on Dickinson’s “Letters.” The discussion will focus on Dickinson’s legacy and how it relates to politics and government today.
WHEN: 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, February 10
WHERE: Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Dover

WHAT: John Dickinson Wreath Laying Ceremony
A reading of a eulogy and a wreath laying ceremony on the grave of John Dickinson. Refreshments available following the ceremony. The event is sponsored by the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation and the Friends of the John Dickinson Mansion.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, February 17
WHERE: Wilmington Friends Meeting House, 401 N. West St., Wilmington

DOVER – As revitalization continues at the former NVF facility in Yorklyn, DNREC’s new water quality project at the site has been recognized as an Exceptional Project by the EPA, one of five such projects nationwide, for its excellence and innovation in Clean Water Infrastructure, winning the coveted PISCES award. Two DNREC Divisions, Waste & Hazardous Substances, and Parks & Recreation, collaborated to remediate the zinc-contaminated site at the former factory. Following the cleanup, a created, remediated two-acre wetland is nearly complete, in addition to four other wetlands that will soon be constructed in the vicinity.

In addition, three new trails at the former NVF site have been completed: the Yorklyn Bridge Trail, the Oversee Trail, and the “CCArts Trail” (yet to be officially named). Under construction now is a bridge that will connect the Yorklyn Bridge trail to Benge Road and the Auburn Heights Mansion.

The PISCES award recognizes the importance of the new wetland to mitigate flooding and improve water quality in the Red Clay Creek area, the support of the economic redevelopment of the Yorklyn Fiber Mills District, and the innovative use of funding for the project.

“EPA is proud to have selected this clean water project as one of five rated exceptional in the nation,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “The work at the NVF site will continue to improve water quality in the creek, and enhance the quality of life for residents by protecting this vulnerable area from flooding, and making way for future economic development. It’s an excellent example of the power of partnerships between EPA and the states and communities we serve.”

“We are proud that DNREC has been recognized by EPA with the PISCES award,” said Governor John Carney. “Not only does this project clean up the environment, but it also will support redevelopment. This whole area was once a polluted brownfield site, and because of DNREC’s work, the Yorklyn Fiber Mills District is better equipped to attract more businesses, create jobs, and help strengthen our economy.”

The EPA award acknowledges excellence and innovation within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The CWSRF is a federal-state partnership that provides communities with a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. The EPA’s PISCES (Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success) award celebrates innovation demonstrated by Delaware’s CWSRF programs and assistance recipients.

“Whether at a federal, state, or local level, we should always be striving to get better results for less money, and the Yorklyn project shows that we can, especially when we are working together,” said Senator Tom Carper, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “This is an example of exactly the kind of work that EPA should be partnering with states to complete in a more timely and efficient manner. Not only do cleanups of contaminated sites reduce public health risks, they also help to revitalize communities and spur economic development in the area. Proud to see that, once again, Delaware is leading by example and finding ways to most effectively utilize taxpayer dollars.”

“We are honored to receive the PISCES award,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “This new wetland is the centerpiece of the site, which will help improve water quality, mitigate flooding, create habitat, and support the economic redevelopment of the Yorklyn area. Three new trails, and others that are under construction, are drawing more and more people to this vibrant new development – commercial, residential and recreational – and turning Yorklyn into a major destination on the Delaware map.”

In total, $3.3 million in CWSRF loan financing was provided to DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances to remove zinc-contaminated soils and create the two-acre wetland by replacing industrial-contaminated soils with clean fill material and topsoil, Another $1 million CWSRF Water Quality Improvement Loan was provided to DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation to create the four additional wetlands.

DNREC’s Environmental Finance Office used several innovative financing tools to facilitate project funding. Funding to provide repayment of the CWSRF loans was secured by the state’s Hazardous Substances Cleanup Act and the Division of Parks & Recreation.

The soil remediation efforts at the NVF site included the removal and disposal of approximately 170 tons (340,000 pounds) of zinc and more than 200 pounds of hazardous lead from the soil during a seven-month period beginning in December 2016. A groundwater zinc recovery and treatment system has also been in operation at the site since 2008. Converting the excavation into a wetland that provides flood water storage capacity and other wetland benefits is necessary in the historically flood-prone Red Clay Creek Valley. For perspective, using average recovery rates of zinc from the existing treatment system, it would have taken nearly 40 years to remove the same mass of contaminants from groundwater, at an estimated cost of $14 million. Utilizing the $3.3 million CWSRF loan enabled DNREC to perform necessary remediation in the short term, thus saving taxpayers a projected amount of $10.7 million in the long term.

Using funds for contaminated site remediation has not been done in Delaware before, and is just one of many unique and innovative solutions that the project team employed to complete the work. Substantial savings to Delaware taxpayers will result, and further redevelopment will occur at an accelerated pace. Future redevelopment at the site is designed to provide decades of increased economic value and will be a unique destination to visit and explore in historic Yorklyn.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.