Governor Carney Expands Open Data Council

Executive Order 18 expands the Council to include all Executive Branch agencies

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed Executive Order 18, expanding the Delaware Open Data Council to include members from all Executive Branch agencies to promote data sharing. The Governor was joined by members of his Cabinet, technology entrepreneurs and Open Data advocates at The Mill in Wilmington for the Executive Order signing.

The Council brings together a team from state government focused specifically on making more data available to members of the public via the state’s Open Data Portal which streamlines access to public information and enhances government transparency. Established by Executive Order 57 in October 2016, the Open Data Portal is a centralized website that connects the public with non-identifiable public data across state agencies and provides interactive features that allow users to browse and sort information. The public can utilize more than 200 data items through maps, charts, and graphs to visualize it in new and innovative ways. Since its launch, the Open Data Portal has had more than 3.5 million page views. Eleven new data sets were added last year, including Delaware business licenses and air quality monitoring, among others.

“Open Data and data sharing are an integral part of government transparency, efficiency and accountability,” said Governor Carney. “Expanding the Open Data Council to include members from all Executive Branch agencies will help facilitate the work we’ve begun through the Family Services Cabinet Council, and allow us to share and analyze data to effectively deliver services and allocate resources for Delawareans.”

The Delaware Open Data Council, which will now include members from 18 state agencies and offices, is charged with making data available to the public, establishing a statewide data strategy, and recommending standards and policies governing the posting of public data and data sharing among state agencies.

“Our state agencies have a vast treasure trove of data and we can tap into that potential to help solve real-world problems, improve the delivery of government services and enrich the quality of life for Delaware’s citizens,” said Chief Information Officer James Collins. “Great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. By making this information available to everyone we create even more opportunities for innovative solutions.”

“Open data is all about building partnerships and using the power of information to fill the gaps between state agencies, community groups, businesses and the average Delawarean,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “The best ideas require collaboration to come to fruition, and I’m proud that the Department of State is a part of the next wave of new thinking in Delaware.”

“Over the past two years, Open Data Delaware has been excited to see the State’s commitment to open data grow,” said Ryan Harrington of Open Data Delaware. “In those two years, we have seen Delaware transition to a system that makes it easier than ever for anyone to access critical information about the state, giving advocates the opportunity to improve their communities and entrepreneurs more resources to grow companies. The inclusion of every Executive Branch agency into Delaware’s Open Data Portal furthers the ability for people to gain the information that they need to build upon this work.”

“Tech Impact is proud to support Governor Carney and his administration in expanding the Open Data Council,” said Tech Impact Executive Director Patrick Callihan. “Delaware has taken a leadership role in exposing data sets and enabling a transparent government. Some of that data has already been used to create public and social benefit for the state and this greater commitment will surely increase the opportunities to develop solutions to some of our most difficult social issues.”

Members of the public are invited to recommend additional datasets for inclusion in the Open Data Portal by visiting data.delaware.gov/nominate.

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Governor Carney Authorizes Delaware National Guard to Assist with Water Distribution in Town of Blades

Executive Order provides additional resources for town, residents

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday signed an Executive Order authorizing the Delaware National Guard to assist the Town of Blades with distributing water to residents impacted by high levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in municipal wells.

The Delaware National Guard has provided two, 400-gallon portable water tanks and coordinated troops to ensure 24-hour water distribution operations out of the Blades Fire Hall. Additionally, a 5,000-gallon water tanker is prepared and available for follow-up support.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) on Friday morning started to provide bottled water for drinking and cooking to residents of Blades.

Water will be supplied to the Town of Blades by DNREC, DPH, and the Delaware National Guard to ensure residents have access to potable water.

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The Executive Order is available here.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor Carney to Sign Executive Order Expanding the Delaware Open Data Council

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

Governor Carney Announces Appointments to Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group

Working group, established by Executive Order #13, will hold its first meeting October 6

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday announced appointments to the Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group, which was established last month by Executive Order 13 to study potential environmental and economic development benefits of offshore wind development to serve Delaware.

“Finding ways to participate in the development of alternate energy sources is the right decision for our environment and our economy, and has the potential to create good-paying jobs,” said Governor Carney. “The members of this working group will help us explore potential economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind development for Delaware, and determine costs and benefits for electric ratepayers across our state. Thank you to Bruce Burcat for agreeing to chair this group, and to all of those who have agreed to serve.”

Newly appointed members of the Offshore Wind Working Group are:

Bruce Burcat, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition, Chair
Senator David McBride
Senator Harris McDowell
Representative Trey Paradee
Representative Ronald Gray
Secretary Jeff Bullock, Delaware Department of State
Secretary Shawn Garvin, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Robert Howatt, Executive Director, Public Service Commission Staff
Drew Slater, Public Advocate
Albert Shields, Policy Director, Office of the Governor
Mario Giovanni, Director of Energy Acquisition, Delmarva Power & Light
Patrick McCullar, President and CEO, Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation
Mark Nielson, Vice President, Staff Services, Delaware Electrical Cooperative
Professor Jeremy Firestone, Director, Center for Carbon-free Power Integration, University of Delaware
Brenna Goggin, Director of Advocacy, Delaware Nature Society
Jeffrey Gordon, President, American Birding Association
Guy Marcozzi, President and CEO, Duffield Associates
James Maravelias, President, Delaware State AFL-CIO
Collin O’Mara, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation

By December 15, the working group will submit a report to the Governor that makes 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. The group also will draft any necessary legislation, including possible amendments to Delaware’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act.

The first meeting of the Offshore Wind Working Group is scheduled for Friday, October 6 at 9:00 a.m. in the Delaware Public Service Commission Hearing Room, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904. All Delaware Offshore Wind Working Group meetings will be listed on the statewide calendar and are open to the public. Meeting agendas, minutes and related materials will be posted on the state calendar as well. Information about the October 6 meeting can be found here.

More information about the Offshore Wind Working Group can be found on the DNREC website.

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Governor Carney Signs Executive Order to Establish Advisory Council on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Council will study economic development opportunities, infrastructure needs, and report to Governor and General Assembly

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday signed an executive order establishing an advisory council on connected and autonomous vehicles to ensure that Delaware remains at the forefront of emerging transportation technology, and to evaluate the technology’s impact on public safety, cybersecurity, and the design of Delaware’s transportation network.

The 19-member council will develop recommendations for innovative tools and strategies that can be used to prepare Delaware’s transportation network for connected and autonomous vehicles, and the council will report back to the Governor and the General Assembly by September 2018.

Governor Carney signed the executive order on Tuesday morning at AAA Mid-Atlantic’s headquarters in Wilmington.

“We must remain forward-looking to ensure that Delawareans can capitalize on the economic benefits of new technology, and to position our state as a leader in the 21st century economy,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware can and should be a proving ground for this new technology. This council will help us identify economic opportunities related to connected and autonomous vehicles, and address potential issues as manufacturers continue to develop this new technology.”

Full text of Executive Order #14 is available here.

Governor Carney signed the executive order just days after signing the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Investment Act, bipartisan legislation that will accelerate investments in mobile broadband infrastructure, expand access to high-speed internet for Delawareans and businesses across the state, and encourage innovation.

Expanding broadband access was a recommendation of Governor Carney’s Action Plan For Delaware. Delaware’s robust telecommunications system could position the state as an early adopter of new vehicle technology, and as a home for manufacturers and innovators.

The advisory council on connected and autonomous vehicles will bring together state government officials, industry representatives, state lawmakers, city planners, and representatives from institutions of higher education to study the issue and its potential opportunities for Delaware. Specifically, the council will develop recommendations related to economic development; technology, security, and privacy; transportation network infrastructure; and the impact of emerging technologies on public and highway safety.

“As automated vehicle technology continues to develop, this council will help inform and guide how Delaware can be best positioned to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Jennifer Cohan, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation.

“As the motorist’s advocate, AAA’s goal is to support autonomous vehicle innovation with an eye toward safety and ease of consumer use and understanding,” said Berni Koch, CEO of AAA Mid-Atlantic. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve on the state’s AV Task Force, and applaud the leadership of Governor Carney and the hard work by Secretary Cohan and her team to position Delaware on the leading edge of an evolution in transportation.”

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Additional photos from the executive order signing are available he re.

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