CLNCC ZOOM Meeting - With Matt Denn - Petition: Protect Children From Lead Paint - 7PM Tuesday, May 16th

CLNCC Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16th 

Civic League for New Castle County Zoom Meeting
Time: Tuesday May 16th 2023 7:00 PM EST

Guest: Matt Denn Vice Chair for Action for Delaware's Children

Topic: Action for Delaware's Children

Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/2p8znsjt

Action for Delaware's Children Petition Action Alert! - Protect Delaware's Children From Lead Paint!

Support Senate Bill 9

Childhood lead poisoning has serious consequences for Delaware children. Overall, over one in fifty children in Delaware have elevated levels of lead in their blood before the age of two. Exposure to lead-based paint in older housing is the primary source of lead exposure for those children.

Sign this petition to help us show legislators you support their efforts to get rid of lead based paints!

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/protect-delawares-children-from-lead-paint/?fbclid=IwAR3amx1hgTrxI3tnyvg43SyMOTykQm9dCuPQn7PIIJ5afchi-yo48qPBTMY

Please sign this petition urging our elected representatives to support Senate Bill 9.

Also see:

Delaware spending $3.8M for water filters in schools statewide after elevated lead levels 

Delaware claims, without data, that childhood lead exposure not caused by drinking water 

State looks to rectify effects of lead paint with new bill

NCC2050: PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING, 7PM Tuesday, May 3rd In New Castle

 VERY IMPORTANT - come out and support communities who want growth done correctly and want to see their expectations reflected in the county's future growth document:

NCC2050 Public Comment -

Hybrid PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING

7 p.m. Tuesday, May 3rd

NCC Gilliam Building

67 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720

JOIN ZOOM HERE

Only in person comments allowed so plan to attend in person (zoom will not have audio join option; chat feature of Zoom will be turned off.)

App. 2022-0095-T. *Draft New Castle County 2022 Comprehensive Plan Update.  Ord. 22-024 will amend New Castle County Code Chapter 28 (“Planning”) and Chapter 40 (“Unified Development Code or UDC”) regarding comprehensive planning.  The purpose of this amendment is to update the New Castle County Comprehensive Development Plan as required by the State of Delaware Quality of Life Act. 

NCC Comp Plan Public DRAFT REVIEW Forums: In-Person 4-7PM December 9th; VIRTUAL 6PM December 15th; Comments Due January 12th

What is New Castle County planning for future growh? Don't let the process go on without your input. 

December Comp Plan Draft review meetings links below.

The draft New Castle County Comprehensive Plan (NCC@2050) is available for review and comment. The plan can be downloaded here 

Here is how the public can participate in continuing to shape the final plan:

• December 9^th or 15^th for Public Forum 3: we will be discussing the draft NCC@2050 Comprehensive Plan: Please click on your preferred date and register: 4-7pm December 9th (in-person) and 6-7:30pm December 15^th (virtual).
• Review the draft and submit your comments by January 12: follow this link to the draft NCC@2050 Comprehensive Plan on the web where you can view/download any of the plan chapters and comment by email. (If you or someone you know is not able to access through the web, please contact us and we can get you a printed copy. Email NCC2050@newcastlede.gov or call 302-395-5400.
• Share with others! The plan website has a full range of project highlights and details: NCC2050.NewCastleDE.gov

 

About the draft NCC@2050 Plan

This is what readers will see in the draft plan:

• an introductory overview of the process;
• plan priorities, including a detailed listing of strategies for action;
• the draft future land use map and other associated maps;
• background on the conditions of New Castle County and analysis that informed this planning effort; and
• summaries of the extensive public engagement efforts.
• Some components of the draft are more specific and fully developed than others, especially the case in Chapter B (Plan Priorities and Signature Strategies) and Chapter C (Future Land Use and Implementation). Additional details will be added over the coming months.
• The draft is the result of 11 public meetings, dozens of community and stakeholder meetings, and thousands of website and web survey interactions.

And from MOT Alliance:  

ACTION NEEDED! If you have just five minutes before December 15th, please use this link to submit feedback on NCC’s proposed $30 million affordable housing fund.  

Write just a few sentences in YOUR OWN words of how you’d like to see such a program operate as building occurs in MOT.  

Remember: MOT Alliance represents RESPONSIBLE growth and development, and some of that growth will be affordable housing. Let’s define for our government officials what RESPONSIBLITY they have to make sure that growth promotes quality of life for ALL MOT RESIDENTS. Policies should not incentivize developers unless NCC ensures infrastructure is in place (services like public transit, job accessibility, health and emergency services, etc). Do not copy/paste this text in your submission but use it to influence your own words. Messages that convey racism, classism, and other stereotypes are not tolerated and do not reflect our mission.

 

DE State and NCC Regulations Impacting Former Claymont Steel Mill Industrial Site Redevelopment, ZOOM Program 7PM Monday, March 29th (RSVP)

CCOBH and the Naamans Creek Watershed Association (NCWA) are pleased to announce their first educational Zoom Webinar: DE State and NCC Regulations Impacting Developmentof the Former Claymont Steel Mill Industrial Site

Claymont Steel Mill Webinar

 7 - 9 p.m. Monday, March 29th

ZOOM Program

REGISTER HERE

Please join us to learn from the experts how DNREC and NCC County regulations guide redevelopers for repurposing this important industrial site. The Zoom Webinar will be held at the following date and time: March 29, 2021 (Monday) 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (EST) Presentations by: Marianne Cinaglia, Executive Director of the NCWA  Gene Castellano, Local Historian  Richard E. Hall, General Manager, NCC Dept of Land Use  Shawn M. Garvin, DNREC Secretary Agenda: Introduction to the Claymont Steel Mill Industrial Site and its History.  County and State Regulations affecting the development of the Site.  Q and A Session – Your questions will be answered by the Presenters. Registration in advance is required. Attendance is limited to 100 participants; therefore we encourage you to register now. To register for this webinar click here.   If you prefer, alternatively you can click on this link to register.   https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pIf4h5JNTy2KIMnlElhD7A   After registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link for joining the webinar. If you would like to learn more about CCOBH, please visit us at CCOBH.  We hope you can join us!

Updated: Join Delaware Riverkeeper Network For A Week Of Action To STOP LNG #DRBCNoLNG

Update: 

Watch The Delaware River Basin Commission LNG VOTE, Meeting 10:30AM Wednesday, December 9th #DRBCnoLNG!

Resolution by the Civic League for New Castle County and DelCOG: read it HERE. 

Speak up and speak out!

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is expected to hold a final vote this Wed., Dec. 9 at 10:30 am on the disastrous LNG export terminal proposed in Gibbstown, NJ. We need to show the DRBC Governors (and especially Governor Murphy) that the public is watching!  

There is no further opportunity for public comment on the Gibbstown LNG permit before the DRBC Commissioners address it during their Business Meeting. After the meeting, there is a public comment session where people who have signed up in advance can speak their mind (usually 2-3 minutes each). If you want to sign up you need to register for the Waiting List by 5pm on Tuesday (tomorrow, Dec. 8). 

Sign up here to make a public comment at the DRBC meeting: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../business-meeting-of-the....  

The DRBC’s meeting is a virtual meeting due to COVID. The agenda for the meeting states that “possible” (their emphasis) action could be taken on the proposed Gibbstown LNG Export Terminal Dock 2. We do not know for certain – they could vote to disapprove, approve, or they may continue the “stay”. It’s even possible they will say nothing about it if their review is still underway. Even if you don’t sign up to speak afterwards, you can join the zoom meeting to watch what they do. 

It would be great if lots of us attend the meeting as witnesses - lots of people attending will make a strong statement in itself, even if you can’t speak or be seen. The number counter will go up as we all join the meeting and they will know  

THE PUBLIC WILL BE WATCHING!

Here is how to join the Meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/97554950658

Webinar ID: 975 5495 0658

iPhone one-tap: +13017158592,,97554950658#

Telephone:+1 301-715-8592 

From the Delaware Riverkeeper Network ~

All this week, the

Delaware Riverkeeper Network

and coalition organizations are all banding together to fight the #GibbstownLNGexport terminal proposed for South Jersey. This extremely dangerous proposal pushed forward by the Trump administration to transport LNG by truck and rail, through dense urban areas puts many lives in harm's way. Not only would it endanger communities, but it also would have a detrimental impact on the Delaware River and exacerbate Climate Change conditions.

Please join us for a WEEK of ACTION to #StopLNGexport! Each day we will be using a different means to get the attention of the Governors of the Delaware River Basin Commission who'll have the final say on whether the project gets built. We need them to VOTE NO!

https://www.facebook.

com/events/3340147489417095

#stopLNG #NoLNGexport

Go to the Week of Action Facebook Event to see how to make a quick call (or two) to the Governors!

We are telling the Governors and the Army Corps, that, as watershed stewards for the DRBC, we expect them to protect the water, habitats, and communities of the Watershed rather than vote to serve the interests of a special interest that wants to exploit despite the devastating impacts and threats LNG entails. We are not a sacrifice zone and we will not tolerate environmental injustice!

THANK YOU for taking part in the Week of Action to STOP LNG.  

#DRBCNoLNG

DE Environmental Justice Network: Croda Violates Air Permit - Again! Public Information Session, 6PM Thursday, November 19th

 DE Environmental Justice Network: Croda Violates Air Permit - Again!

After having one of the largest releases of ethylene oxide (an explosive carcinogen) in the country in 2018 which resulted in the closure of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, Croda have again violated the conditions of their state air permits. The current violations include:

• Connecting an unpermitted source into an air pollution control device (scrubber)
• Exceeding the annual emission limit for ethylene oxide at the scrubber
• Failure to meet the volatile organic compound (VOC) removal efficiency at the scrubber
• Operation of an unpermitted source of ethylene oxide at a hot well, which collects and condenses vapors from the purification and vacuum distillation of crude ethylene glycol.

The Notice of Violation can be read here

While the Ethylene Oxide (EO) plant has since been shut-down, DNREC is working to determine a path forward to allow Croda to resume its operation, and if further enforcement actions are to be taken.

Plan to participate in DNREC's virtual information session at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 when DNREC will describe the violations and answer questions. The public may join the video meeting via WebEx USING THIS LINK

• Event number 173 655 4144
• Password CrodaInfoSession
• join by audio conference only by calling 408-418-9388.  

Additionally SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO DNREC NOW USING THIS LINK

DNREC must do a better job of oversight and accountability for this high hazard facility if they are allowed to continue operation. Please make your voices heard in the virtual meeting and/or your letter to DNREC.

Public Information Session: CRODA Air Quality Permit Violations

6 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 19th

Join Meeting HERE

DNREC will hold a virtual public information session to describe air emission and equipment violations at the Croda facility and answer questions from the community.

DNREC has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Croda, Inc. for air emission and equipment violations associated with the operation of the ethylene oxide (EO) plant at Croda’s Cherry Lane Facility near New Castle.

An NOV is the first step in a process that can lead to DNREC taking further enforcement actions. DNREC is currently working from its regulatory purview to determine the path forward for Croda’s resuming operations at the EO plant.

Questions and comments from the public can also be sent to daqpermittinginfo@del

Join Online
Event Number: 173 655 4144
Password: CrodaInfoSession
Dial-in Number: 1-408-418-9388

Additional reading:

DNREC Issues Croda NOV for Air Quality Permit Violations

Croda issued Notice of Violation for emissions at New Castle-area's Cherry Lane Facility

Croda cited for more permit violations

DNREC CRODA VIRTUAL Public Meeting 6PM Tomorrow; VIRTUAL Public Hearing, 6PM Tuesday, July 21st (RSVP)

Just last night, the New Castle County Council expressed its will in opposition to the CRODA facility expansion proposal by passing RESOLUTION NO. 20-154 (Read Full Text Below.)

Please consider attending the state's two upcoming online meetings regarding this expansion. Registration links can be found below.

DNREC Notice of Public Meeting and Hearing: Croda, Inc.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Air Quality, will conduct a public information meeting and a public hearing (Docket # 2020-P-A-0018) on the permit application and draft permit for Croda, Inc. (Croda).  Croda, having a facility at 315 Cherry Lane, New Castle, Delaware, has requested a federally enforceable 7 DE Admin. Code 1102 construction permit (APC-2020/0070-CONSTRUCTION (FE)) to add a 12,000 gallon drumming tank (Blend Drumming Tank C, Emission Unit 2) to existing Blend Tanks A and B at their facility.  The emission increase for the addition of Blend Tank C will be 0.36 ton per year (TPY) of volatile organic compounds (VOC) including 0.17 TPY hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) (primarily dioxane). 

Public Meeting 

A virtual public meeting will be held on the application on Thursday, July 16, 2020, beginning at 6:00 PM.  Please note – this meeting is being held for informational purposes only and is not part of the hearing record generated in this matter.Persons wishing to obtain additional information or ask questions about the permit application or draft permit may attend the virtual public information meeting.  Questions on the project, application, and/or draft permit should be submitted in advance of the meeting to allow the applicant and the Department to provide thorough responses.  Questions may be submitted by email to daqpermittinginfo@delaware.gov no later than July 6, 2020.  The public may attend this meeting via either webcast or phone – visit de.gov/dnrecmeetings for connection information to this meeting. 

Public Hearing 

A virtual public hearing will be held on the application and draft permit on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, beginning at 6:00 PM.  The public may attend this virtual hearing via either webcast or phone – visit de.gov/dnrechearings for connection information to this hearing.Please note that live comments will not be accepted during the virtual hearing.  Written comments may be submitted to the Hearing Officer via the online comment form at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/publichearings/comment-form/, via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.go, or via USPS to the below address. The Department will accept public comment through Friday, July 31, 2020.

Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901

For additional information on the above matters, including how to connect, and to review this application and draft permit, visit de.gov/dnrecmeetings and de.gov/dnrechearings or contact Tracy Mattson, Division of Air Quality, 100 W Water Street, Suite 6A, Dover, DE 19904, by phone at (302) 739-9402, or by email at daqpermittinginfo@delaware.gov 

Although the deadline has passed for submitted questions ahead of tomorrow's informational meeting, CLNCC would expect that DNREC will address the issues as put forth in the Council's Resolution (read it below.)

Public Comment on the Air Permit will be accepted at the July 21st hearing and in writing through July 31st.

CRODA VIRTUAL Public Meeting 6PM July 16th - Register for tomorrow's meeting by clicking onto the JOIN ONLINE button below.

https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/events/virtual-public-information-meeting-croda-air-quality-construction-permit/
Join OnlineEvent Number: 129 027 7856Password: 4vuPu33Qc7bDial-in Number: 1.408.418.9388

CRODA VIRTUAL Public Hearing 6PM July 21st - Register for Tuesday's meeting by clicking onto the JOIN ONLINE button below.

https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/events/virtual-public-hearing-croda-7-de-admin-code-1102-construction-permit/ 

Join Online 

Event Number: 129 583 8502, Password: i72AmJbb2pQ, Dial-in Number: 1-408-418-9388

NCC Council RESOLUTION NO. 20-154

IN OPPOSITION TO CRODA INC.’S PERMIT APPLICATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO EXPAND PRODUCTION AT CRODA’S ATLAS POINT FACILITY

Introduced by: Mr. Street, Mr. Carter
Date of introduction: July 14, 2020

WHEREAS, Croda, Inc. operates its Atlas Point Facility at Cherry Lane, New Castle, Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Croda is closely situated to densely populated neighborhoods and heavily traveled highways; and

WHEREAS, at the Atlas Point Facility, Croda manufactures surfactants, which are substances that act as binding agents in other products; Croda uses corn-based ethanol to make Ethylene Oxide, which is the chemical needed to create the binding agents; and

WHEREAS, Ethylene Oxide is an extremely flammable gas, is considered to be a human carcinogen, and exposure to the chemical can cause a series of medical problems including skin rashes, breathing problems, and, in severe cases, coma; and

WHEREAS, in its relatively brief history in New Castle, Croda’s activities have been a cause for concern – specifically, Croda has had numerous reported Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (“DNREC”) environmental violations, which have included:

• unpermitted releases of highly flammable Ethylene Oxide, which threatened the health and safety of surrounding neighborhoods and anyone passing by or near the facility, and on at least one occasion was coupled with Croda’s failure to timely report the incident to DNREC and a shutdown of the Delaware Memorial Bridge;
• exceeding non-methane hydrocarbons emissions limits;
• failure to regularly inspect or maintain inspection records for storage areas;
• failure to receive necessary approval of its plans (for stormwater and sediment)before it commenced construction;
•  violations of best management practices related to air pollution;
• improper marking on hazardous waste containers;
• failure to make a timely application for permit renewals;
• failure to monitor or record certain visible emissions; and
• failure to provide the required monitoring of erosion and sediment controls;

WHEREAS, in response to one of Croda’s unpermitted Ethylene Oxide releases, in November, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
found that Croda’s plant had “deficient emergency action and response plans,” failed to train employees on how to manage an Ethylene Oxide leak, did not develop procedures for emergency
responders to manage firewater during such a leak, did not activate the emergency alarm system, and also failed to provide employees with respiratory protection; and

WHEREAS, despite the serious concerns identified above, Croda has submitted an application for a permit (APC-2020/0070-CONSTRUCTION (FE)) to install two new tanks at its facility: a 12,000 gallon drumming tank (Blend Drumming Tank C, Emission Unit 2) to existing Blend Tanks A and B at the facility, and a 23,000 gallon storage tank for Atplus Destiny final product; and

WHEREAS, Croda’s Permit Application discloses that, if its application is approved, this will result in an increase in emissions of volatile organic compounds (“VOCs) and hazardous air
pollutants (“HAPs”); specifically, the Permit Application states that the emission increase for the addition of Blend Tank C will be 0.36 ton per year (TPY) of VOCs including 0.17 TPY of hazardous air pollutants (primarily 1,4-dioxane, which the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency consider as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen); and

WHEREAS, Croda’s Permit Application explains that, although Croda intends to comply with its current VOC emissions limitation, its equipment nonetheless will vent hazardous materials directly into the atmosphere, and that emissions data will not be recorded by a continuous emission monitoring system; and

WHEREAS, given Croda’s history of environmental violations, the proposed Permit Application - which admittedly would increase pollutant emissions, and thereby potentially endanger local residents’ well being - is alarming; and

WHEREAS, given the above, Councilman Street, on behalf of his constituency, requested that DNREC schedule a public hearing regarding Croda’s Permit Application; and

WHEREAS, in his letter to DNREC requesting such a hearing, Councilman Street objected to Croda’s Permit Application based on several grounds, including:

1. Croda’s troubling environmental history, including the November, 2018, Ethylene Oxide leak that led to Croda’s shutdown for almost one year; 

2. Many local residents opposed DNREC’s decision to allow Croda to re-start operations after its most recent Ethylene Oxide release and, based on its history, continue to question Croda’s operations and its attention to safety and concern for residents’ health and well being; consequently, the addition of the proposed new tanks will only compound neighbors’ anger and anxiety about their well being; 

3. Croda’s emergency notifications and procedures continue to be insufficient to ensure the safety of the facility’s neighbors; and 

4. Croda’s operations pose an imminent danger to local residents and all people that use the Delaware Memorial Bridge and nearby roadways.

WHEREAS, in response to Councilman Street’s request, DNREC has scheduled a virtual meeting on July 16, 2020, to provide information only about the project and the Permit Application, with a virtual public hearing on the Permit Application and draft permit to be held on July 21, 2020.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by and for the County Council of New Castle County that County Council hereby opposes Croda Inc.’s Permit Application pending before the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and its related request to expand production at its Atlas Point Facility in New Castle, Delaware.

Adopted by County Council of
New Castle County on: 7/14/20

Support SB 250 -The Renewable Portfolio Standard Act - Virtual Meeting, 10:30-1 June 20th In Wilmington

Come out to support SB 250 and Renewable Energy! as reposted from the Blue Delaware Blog 

Senate Bill 250 is intended to advance sustainable energy goals and initiatives in Delaware and to restore Delaware as a leader in renewable, sustainable energy. The Renewable Portfolio Standard was instituted by the state in 2005, and it cultivates a market for utilities in Delaware to require a set percentage of their retail electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind each year. These utilities are able to purchase credits from producers who have used renewable energy sources or they can generate electricity from renewable energy sources themselves.  

The newly proposed legislation would require Delaware’s regulated utilities to increase its portfolio standard to 40% by 2035. This goal will be achieved in part by creating incentives for cities and towns to opt-in and invest in building new solar power generating facilities. This section of the legislation will be known as the Community Sustainable Energy Authorities Act that will encourage localities across the First State to create their own fund to develop new solar facilities that will be able to sell Community Solar Renewable Energy Credits and dedicate the revenue generated from them towards lowering utility cost for ratepayers in their communities. 

Blue Delaware joined with 37 other varied organizations, businesses and faith communities to urge the General Assembly leadership and Governor Carney to bring this bill to the floor for consideration in this session of the General Assembly. Here is our letter to Governor Carney, Speaker Schwartzkopf and Senator McBride. 

Dustyn Thompson from the Sierra Club Delaware Chapter tells us that there will be a public comment meeting this Saturday, June 20 from 10:30 – 1:00. It will take place in the main conference room at the Del Tech Wilmington Campus at 300 Orange Street in Wilmington. There is space for roughly 49 people to attend in person. The chairs are six feet apart and you have to answer a bunch of questions before being allowed to enter. For those that can’t make it, or would not like to attend in person, you can join in Zoom. If you’d like to attend and/or offer testimony, you need to email SB250_PublicComment@delaware.gov and James.Berryhill@state.de.us to let them know you want to attend in person and that you would like to speak. You also want to email Mr. Berryhill if you plan on joining the Zoom and would like to speak.  When you do email to register, please provide the following information:

1. The attendee’s full name, address, date of birth, and best contact number.2. The name of the organization that the attendee is representing3. Whether or not the attendee wishes to speak.4. If the attendee wishes to join the meeting virtually or physically.

The Civic League for New Castle County has endorsed this bill and is a signatory of the letter.