NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Feb. 27, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 72

Contact:  Suzanne Sebastian or Charlie Smisson, Delaware Energy Office, 302-735-3480; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

    Delaware’s Draft Energy Plan Now Available for Public Comment
                                                                  Public Input Sessions March 4, 5 and 9

The Governor’s Energy Advisory Council’s Draft Delaware Energy Plan is now available for public comment. The plan can be viewed on DNREC’s web site, www.dnrec.delaware.gov and on the Delaware Energy Office web site, www.energy.dnrec.delaware.gov.

The draft plan includes a review of existing energy programs and recommendations for changes to Delaware’s energy policy and programs. The draft identifies ways to foster stable and reasonable energy prices, reliability and environmentally preferable energy resources, including renewable energy and energy efficiency as a means of ensuring energy security and long term sustainability of Delaware’s energy resources.

The guiding principles for Delaware’s Draft Energy Plan are:

o Increasing energy end-use efficiency and conservation
o Reducing the environmental impacts (footprint) of energy used and generated in Delaware
o Reducing energy used for transportation
o Maximizing clean energy economic development opportunities
o Maintaining and improving the reliability and security of Delaware’s energy systems
o Minimizing energy-related costs and impacts on Delaware citizens

Three public input sessions will be held for Delawareans to provide comments on the draft plan.

Public Input Session: Kent County
5 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 4
DNREC, Richardson & Robbins Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover

Public Input Session: New Castle County
5 – 7 p.m., Thursday, March 5
DNREC, Lukens Drive Office, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle

RESCHEDULED (Originally March 2): Public Input Session: Sussex County
5 – 7 p.m., Monday, March 9
DNREC, Lewes Field Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes

Written comments will also be accepted and must be submitted by 4:30 p.m., March 12 by email, DNREC_EnergyPlan@state.de.us.
For more information contact the Delaware Energy Office, 302-735-3480.