DNREC continues soliciting comments on older regulations during department’s regulatory review process

DOVER – In accordance with 29 Delaware Code, § 10407, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is conducting a review of agency regulations that have not been amended during the last four years. A listing of regulations subject to this review (PDF) can be found on DNREC’s website. The three-month review period began Aug. 4 and concludes Nov. 4.

DNREC is now seeking public comment as to whether or not the regulations subject to this review should be amended or possibly eliminated. Comments should be as specific as possible and include a reference to the relevant regulation. Public comments may be submitted in a variety of ways as listed below:

  • Using the electronic comment form (comments can be submitted anonymously)
  • By email to DNREC Hearing Officer Lisa Vest
  • In writing, c/o Lisa Vest, Hearing Officer, DNREC, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901

“DNREC is eager to hear from the regulated community and the citizens of Delaware regarding recommendations to streamline and improve environmental regulation in Delaware,” said DNREC Deputy Secretary Kara Coats, who is overseeing the department’s regulatory review process.

In addition to accepting written comment at any time during the review period, DNREC will hold three public hearings next month to receive verbal comments from the public. The agency’s public hearings are scheduled as follows:

For more information, please email Michelle Jacobs or call 302-739-9069.

Media Contact: Michelle Jacobs, DNREC Small Business Ombudsman, 302-739-9069

Vol. 46, No. 310


DNREC to hold Aug. 29 public hearing in Dover on proposed regulations for evaluating state’s energy efficiency programs

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate will hold a public hearing this month on newly proposed regulations for the evaluation, measurement and verification of energy efficiency programs recommended by Delaware’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Council. The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 29, in DNREC’s Auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council is a collaborative group of stakeholders representing utilities, industry, residents, agencies and partners that was established by the General Assembly to create and implement energy efficiency programs and wise energy-use practices across the state. As utilities make their plans for providing energy-efficiency solutions, DNREC is developing a set of regulations that will outline methods for evaluating projects and measuring their effectiveness, known as Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) regulations.

The proposed regulations can be found on the Division of Energy & Climate website. For more information, please contact Emily St. Clair at 302-735-3366 or email Emily.StClair@delaware.gov.

About the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council
The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council is comprised of representatives from DNREC, energy providers, large and small businesses, manufacturers, low-income and residential populations, Delaware’s Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) and other interested parties affected by energy efficiency standards, including environmentalists and agriculturalists. The Council also collaborates with the Public Service Commission and the Public Advocate. Together, the council members work to reach Delaware’s energy efficiency goals while ensuring that all energy efficiency and reduction programs are cost-effective.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 289

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Reminder: Department of State Announces Public Hearing Schedule for Review of Agency Regulations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heather Contant, Ombudsman
302-736-7564, Heather.Contant@delaware.gov

Dover, DE (July 29, 2016) – The Delaware Department of State would like to remind people that it will hold public hearings next week in all three counties as part of Governor Jack Markell’s effort to strengthen Delaware’s economy by modernizing and streamlining regulations that may be outdated or unnecessarily burdensome, while maintaining the state’s commitment to improving public health and environmental performance.
The Department of State’s public hearings are being conducted in accordance with Regulatory Flexibility Act (29 Del. C., Ch. 104, § 10407). Agencies with regulations subject to review include:

• Human Relations Commission
• Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
• Division of Arts
• State Banking Commissioner
• Boards and Commissions of the Division of Professional Regulation
• Public Service Commission

The public is also invited to comment on any policies or programs within the Department of State including the Division of Archives, Division of Corporations, Commission of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of State’s Office.

The Department’s hearings are scheduled for:

· Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, 12:30pm, at the Carvel State Office Building, 4th Floor Conference Room, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE 19803
· Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, 12:30pm, Secretary of State’s conference room, Townsend Building, 401 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901
· Thursday, Aug 4, 2016, 12:30pm, at the Georgetown Public Library,123 West Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947

The Regulatory Flexibility Act provides an opportunity for state agencies such as the Department of State to review regulations on their books, and streamline or eliminate those that might be outdated, inconsistent or no longer serve their intended purpose. After formal comment, the Department will consider the input received in addition to its own evaluation and begin the process for amending or repealing regulations accordingly.

“This review process provides us with the opportunity to evaluate how we can make our existing regulations more efficient,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “We look forward to receiving specific and thoughtful comments from the public and business community in this effort.”

In addition to participating in the public hearings, members of the public are also encouraged to submit comments online. Comments relative to the Regulatory Flexibility Act will be accepted through October 1, 2016.

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Criminal Justice Council Announces Public Hearings

WILMINGTON, Del. – The Delaware Criminal Justice Council will be holding public hearings in each county and the City of Wilmington during September and October.

The public hearings give citizens of Delaware the opportunity to discuss criminal justice issues facing our state with members of the CJC. People will have the opportunity to tell the panel what they think are the most important issues facing the state which will allow for their input to be used in developing strategies for improving the criminal justice process in Delaware.

Some of the CJC membership includes the Attorney General, The Public Defender, Chief Judges of all State Courts, Cabinet Secretaries, Chiefs of Police and public members.

The hearings and locations are:

Thursday, Sept. 24th (6-8PM)   at the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center (1018 West 6th St., Wilmington, DE)

Thursday, Oct.1st (6-8PM) at the Canaan Baptist Church ( 3011 New Castle Ave., New Castle, DE)

Thursday, Oct. 8th (6-8PM)  at the Dover Police Meeting Room (400 S. Queen St., Dover, DE)

Thursday, Oct. 22nd (6-8PM) at the Georgetown Public Library (123 W. Pine St., Georgetown, DE)

 


DNREC to hold April 23 public hearing on proposed revisions to sediment and stormwater regulations

DOVER (April 1, 2013) – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship will hold its second public hearing on proposed revisions to the Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, in the DNREC Auditorium, Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover. The revisions are designed to address the April 2005 recommendations of the Task Force on Surface Water Management, as well as changes to regulatory language following the first public hearing held March 1, 2012.  

The proposed regulation revisions may be inspected at the following locations: 

  • DNREC’s Dover office, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901
     
  • Kirkwood Library, 6000 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington DE 19808
     
  • Kent County Public Library, 497 South Red Haven Lane, Dover, DE 19901
     
  • Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947

The proposed regulation revisions and the technical document may also be inspected on the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Sediment & Stormwater Management Program website

For additional information or to make an appointment to inspect the proposed regulation revisions or the technical document at DNREC’s Dover office, please contact Elaine Webb, DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Management Program, at 302-739-9921, or Elaine.Webb@delaware.gov. Review of the documents at the public libraries can be made during the libraries’ scheduled operating hours.

Interested parties may present statements and testimony orally or in writing on the proposed regulation changes at the April 23 public hearing or submit comments in writing by May 8, 2013. Comments submitted as part of the first public comment period will remain as part of the record. Those interested in speaking at the public hearing are asked to register in advance. Written comments on the technical document will be accepted until Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

 Written statements and comments on the proposed regulation changes may be addressed to: Elaine Webb, DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Management Program, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or submitted by email to Elaine.Webb@delaware.gov.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902 

Vol. 43, No. 121

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