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.

###

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.”

###

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

###

Governor Carney Signs Executive Order Establishing Offshore Wind Working Group

Group will study potential environmental and economic development benefits of offshore wind development

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed an executive order establishing the Offshore Wind Working Group to study potential environmental and economic development benefits of offshore wind development to serve Delaware.

“We must look for ways to participate in the development of alternative energy sources,” said Governor Carney. “It’s the right decision for our environment, but the development of new sources of energy is also good for our economy, and for the creation of good-paying jobs. This new working group will help us explore the potential economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind development for Delaware.”

U.S. Senator Tom Carper, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and co-sponsor of the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act, attended Monday’s executive order signing.

“I’m proud that Delaware is focusing on offshore wind, which has the potential to power every home, school and business in the First State with clean, renewable energy,” said Senator Carper. “Investing in new offshore wind projects spurs economic growth and has the potential to create good-paying jobs. I’m proud to be part of the effort to grow the offshore wind industry because making smart investments to move us closer to energy independence is a win-win-win for our economy, our security, our health and our planet.”

The working group will begin meeting next month and will review economic opportunities and environmental benefits of offshore wind development, and the costs and benefits of developing offshore wind. Working group members also will review laws and regulations governing the development of renewable energy, and recommend changes. Additionally, they will identify barriers and opportunities involved in developing offshore wind to benefit Delawareans.

Governor Carney gives remarks at Executive Order 13 signing. 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.

Last week the nine northeast states that comprise the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), including Delaware, announced that they would continue the successful emissions reduction program through 2030. The states also announced improvements to the program that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the region from the electricity sector by an additional 30 percent between 2021 and 2030.

The additional reductions will help Delaware meet the goals of the U.S. Climate Alliance, which Delaware joined in June. The Alliance, a coalition of states, will uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Earlier this month, Governor Carney also sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke opposing the Trump Administration’s plans to move forward to allow oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic.

“We as a nation share the responsibility to ensure that energy decisions do not exacerbate the problems associated with climate change that are already being witnessed,” said Governor Carney, in the letter to Secretary Zinke. “The State of Delaware stands firm in its commitment to alternative energy development, and has prioritized working with neighboring states to develop a comprehensive strategy that will maximize the environmental and economic development benefits of adopting renewable energy.”

###

Governor Carney Signs Executive Order Reestablishing the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG)

Members will submit recommendations to the Governor, Legislature and Criminal Justice Council by March 2018

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday released the following statement after signing Executive Order #11 to reestablish the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, which will examine ways to prevent youth from entering or re-entering the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

“We want all Delaware kids to become healthy and productive citizens of our state, and that includes preventing kids from going down the wrong path and coordinating services for those leaving the juvenile justice system. The Juvenile Justice Advisory Group will help us create an environment where all Delaware kids have an opportunity to succeed. This Executive Order will recharge and reenergize the group to find solutions that will work.”

The JJAG will advise the Criminal Justice Council on grant applications, assist in the development of a state plan to monitor the juvenile and criminal justice system, and work to ensure that assistance will be equitably available to disadvantaged youth. The group will submit a report with recommendations to the Governor, Legislature and Criminal Justice Council by March 31, 2018.

###

Click here to view the text of Executive Order 11.