About Us

Founded in 1962, the Civic League For New Castle County is an organization comprised of community civic associations, umbrella civic groups, good government groups, businesses, and interested individuals. The League provides a forum for education about, discussion of, and action on issues relating to the impact of government on the quality of life in New Castle County

Monday, October 26, 2020

Flooding Woodland Run Park And Sewer Blowback Issues: Public Zoom Meeting Set For 7PM October 29th


BTCC, WHCA, and WPCA are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Special Meeting 29 Oct. Thurs 7PM Topic: Flooding Woodland Run Park and Sewer Blowback Issues Woodland Park: Third Follow Up Zoom Meeting 
- Woodland Run Park / Little Mill Creek What is the status of the Blockages Tree and Brush Clean Up? in advance of 29 Oct 2020 Special Meeting 

- What is the status of installing Back Flow Prevention Valves in effected homes in Woodland Park? 


Time: Oct 29, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 
Meeting ID: 898 692 4710 
Passcode: 12345



Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Social, Environmental Justice, And Hazards Mitigation Comp Plan Elements To Be Considered At November 4th Planning Board Hearing

 From David Carter, New Castle County Council -

Legislative Update
 
On September 8, I introduced Ordinance 20-101 which will amend Chapter 28.01.003 (Comprehensive Planning) to require a Social Justice Element, An Environmental Justice Element, and a Hazards Mitigation Element to be included in the 2022 Comprehensive Plan, and all Comprehensive Plans thereafter. 

These issues are important as we move forward as a county to ensure equity and inclusion in our policy development and zoning recommendations. 

There is no Hazard Mitigation in our comprehensive plan; which I found surprising, not only after Tropical Storm Isaias, but the response to the industrial leak of dangerous ethylene oxide gas into nearby communities from CRODA.  The Hazard Mitigation plan should include considerations to all infrastructure, community level communications, preparedness, and other non-structural measures, with particular attention being given to the safety of vulnerable communities related to natural and man-made hazards.  

This Ordinance is currently tabled as I have agreed to place it in front of the Planning Board for their November 4th Public Hearing.  I encourage anyone to participate and give their feedback on this legislation.


[Zoom instructions for access to the meeting are included on the 7 p.m. November 4, 2020 NCC Planning Board Public Hearing Agenda HERE]


NCC Comprehensive Plan Workshop - 6PM Wednesday, October 21st (RSVP)

 

The Comprehensive Plan shapes the future of New Castle County.  We would like this to be a community-driven process, as public feedback is key to ensuring an equitable and inclusive future for our community. 

The next meeting in the "Let's Talk" workshop series will take place on October 21 at 6:00 PM.  The meeting will be conducted virtually, and you can register here

This meeting will be Our Places and Spaces and will focus on:

  • What makes our communities special and makes them places where we want to live, work, play, and enjoy
  • The design of our communities, from vibrant landscapes and pedestrian friendly community design, to a compatible mix of residential, retail, and/or commercial uses
  • Maintaining, preserving, and enhancing the character or charming features of our neighborhoods that are attractive, meaningful, or interesting.


REGISTER HERE

Future Virtual Workshops Include:

  • November 9: Our Environment and Nature
  • November 18: NCC@2050 Fall Forum. More details to be announced soon!

Visit NCC2050.newcastlede.gov to learn more about past and future workshops, the comprehensive planning process, and how you can get involved.


 

~*~

Thursday, October 15, 2020

CLNCC Annual Meeting Set For 7PM Tuesday, October 20th Via ZOOM - Public Attendees Are Welcome!

 

Civic League for New Castle County 

7 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Virtual ZOOM Meeting

AGENDA

Guest Speaker: Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long

Officers Reports:

Treasurer

Secretary

Vice Presidents

President

Member Comments/Reports

Elections: Call for Nominations

Election of Directors 

Election of Officers

Bylaw Amendment Proposal – Nancy Willing

New Business


Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710

Passcode: 12345

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,8986924710#,,,,,,0#,,12345# US (Germantown)

+13126266799,,8986924710#,,,,,,0#,,12345# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710

Passcode: 12345

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjPcmlNKt


Sunday, September 27, 2020

CLNCC Public ZOOM Meeting 7PM Tuesday, September 29th - All Welcome!

CLNCC ZOOM Meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, September 29th

The Civic League for New Castle County is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Sep 29, 2020 07:00 – 09:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710  Passcode: 12345

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,8986924710#,,,,,,0#,,12345# US (Germantown)

+13126266799,,8986924710#,,,,,,0#,,12345# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710  Passcode: 12345

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjPcmlNKt

 

AGENDA

Call to Order

1). Officers Reports 

Treasurer

Secretary

Vice Presidents

President

2). Vic Singer on Churchman’s Crossing Plan

3). October CLNCC Annual Meeting Planning – Election of Officers and Bylaw Amendments 

4). Coralie Pryde on working to defeat the New Jersey LNG Export Facility proposed for Gibbstown

5). New Business 

 

Churchman’s Crossing Study

CLNCC members Bill Dunn, Vic Singer, and Nancy Willing participated in a “Listening Tour” meeting with consultant Andrew Bing and government staff (representing WILMAPCO, NCC Dept. of Land Use, and DelDOT). Barry Shotwell was also contacted by Mr. Bing for a one-on-one informational call. And we all attended the first Public Workshop held online last Wednesday (scroll down for meeting info below).  This study is on the agenda for discussion at our September meeting.

Councilman Carter Proposal for Additional Elements to the NCC Comp Plan: Environmental and Social Justice and Hazard Mitigation - Sierra Club of DE 

Sierra Club of Delaware, IMPORTANT: NCCo meeting on Tuesday re: Carter ordinance 20-101 
Dustyn and I wanted to give a quick update on Councilman Carter's ordinance to, for the first time ever, require that the Comp Plan include sections dedicated to Environmental and Social Justice and Hazard Mitigation. 
There is an important New Castle Co. Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, 9/22/2020 at 3:00 pm. where this ordinance (20-101) will be considered.  Here is the agenda for the meeting:  https://nccde.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222020-1986 
It is important that we support this ordinance through public testimony and letters to urge the council to move this forward quickly.  According to Councilman Carter, even a delay of a few months could result in the path of the comp plan process being set and the issues/elements in 20-101 would not be very prominent, resulting in the status quo as it relates to equity issues. 
We need to demonstrate strong support in New Castle County.  We encourage you, your friends, and other advocates to send letters to councilmembers in support of Carter's ordinance to include environmental and social justice and hazard mitigation in the comp plan: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/include-environmental-social-justice-in-the-new-castle-county-comprehensive-plan-2?clear_id=true&source=direct_link

Please stay tuned for more information.

Thanks.

Sherri and Dustyn

Sherri L. Evans-Stanton, Chapter Director

Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club 

Note: The Civic League has partnered this year with the Sierra Club and other organizations to monitor and engage in the NCC 2022 Comprehensive Plan process. 

The groups first worked as a team to help our friends on the NCC Council defeat Ord. 20-008 which would partially reverse the “Landfill” Ord. 19-046 and return Heavy Industrial zoned parcels to Use-By-Right status. 

There is now a lawsuit filed by CRODA over HI parcels’ Special Use status and Nancy Willing has filed a FOIA with NCC to determine how much communication may have occurred between the county administration, members of council, and land use attorneys regarding Ord. 19-046 (https://www.nccde.org/DocumentCenter/View/30682/19-046) 

  • Sierra Club Delaware Chapter 
  • Concerned Residents For Environmental Justice 
  • Route Nine Civic Association 
  • Dunleith Civic Association 
  • Community Benefits Agreement Coalition 
  • Claymont Citizens Environmental Group 
  • New Castle County Prevention Coalition 
  • Civic League for New Castle County

New Jersey LNG Export Facility Approval Delayed

DRBC holds off - for now - moving forward with Delaware River port expansion to transport fracking products

The Delaware River Basin Commission voted Thursday to place on hold a potential port expansion in New Jersey which would create a route for shipping fracking byproduct. The Gibbstown Logistics Center, a multi-use deep water seaport, introduced a plan to construct a wharf 650 feet from the Delaware River shoreline that would include a pair of deep water berths to accommodate the export of liquefied natural gas along the waterway. An administrative appeal was filed seeking a halt to the project, and ultimately, the commission voted to halt the project until all evidence could be more closely reviewed.  
........Support was voiced by DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, who said Delaware supports the stay and all of the hard work and "sheer magnitude of information and process that has gone on" by all parties put into making the appeal. "Delaware's looking to finish our thoughtful review of that information, but I want to be clear," Garvin said. "Delaware support for this motion is for us to reasonably complete the process, and should not be read as anything else." The motion passed with only Lt. Col. David Park, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, voting against the motion. Pennsylvania representation abstained. 
During the public comment section of the meeting, the commission found unanimous support for staying the project and pleas for them to ultimately reject what the project might mean for those who utilize or live along the river.  "The league across the country believes that a democracy is best served when we have an informed public," said Coralie Pryde, of the Delaware League of Women Voters. "Delawareans, by and large, have not been very aware of the Gibbstown project. and this gives us a chance to look at it in further detail. So we thank the commission. The league also supports a full ban on fracking and all fracking-related activities." The impacts would have detrimental effects on the food chain, fishing, and marine birds of the Delaware Bay, she said, adding studies show methane gas released from fracking can have effects 500 times as powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. 


Monday, September 21, 2020

Call In Support Tuesday, September 22nd For NCC Councilman Carter's Ord. 20-101 To Add Environmental And Social Justice And Hazard Mitigation To Our 2022 Comp Plan Update

 From the Sierra Club of Delaware -

NCC Councilman Carter's Ordinance 20-101 to, for the first time ever, require that the Comp Plan include sections dedicated to Environmental and Social Justice and Hazard Mitigation. 

There is an important New Castle Co. Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, 9/22/2020 at 3:00 pm. where this ordinance (20-101) will be considered.  Here is the agenda for the meeting:  https://nccde.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222020-1986.  To participate in the meeting, use either of these options:

Call in #'s are:  1-312-626-6799 or +1-646-558-8656 or +1-346-248-7799 or +1-669-900-9128 or +1-253-215-8782 or +1-301-715-8592. Then enter the Webinar ID: 377 322 142.

It is important that we support this ordinance through public testimony and letters to urge the council to move this forward quickly.  According to Councilman Carter,  even a delay of a few months could result in the path of the comp plan process being set and the issues/elements in 20-101 would not be very prominent, resulting in the status quo as it relates to equity issues.

We need to demonstrate strong support in New Castle County.  We encourage you, your friends, and other advocates to send letters to councilmembers in support of Carter's ordinance to include environmental and social justice and hazard mitigation in the comp plan: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/include-environmental-social-justice-in-the-new-castle-county-comprehensive-plan-2?clear_id=true&source=direct_link


 

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

WILMAPCO Virtual Public Workshop on the Churchman's Crossing Plan, 5:30PM Wednesday, September 16th (RSVP)


From the Wilmington Area Planning Council ~

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 16th
A virtual public workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 16th to provide an update on the Churchman’s Crossing Plan. 
The virtual workshop will take place at 5:30 p.m. (log in and registration starts at 5:00, with the presentation starting at 5:30).  
The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO), DelDOT, and the New Castle County Land Use Department are developing an update to the 1977 Churchman's Crossing Plan. The update will take a little more than one year to complete, with the anticipated completion in Fall 2021. This first public workshop will serve as a formal kickoff for that study as they share some preliminary background information and engage in and with the public. 
To register to attend the virtual event, please click here

Special Meeting 17 Sept. Thurs. 7PM Topic: Flooding Woodland Run Park and Sewer Blowback Issues Woodland Park : Second Follow Up Zoom Meeting


Special Meeting 17 Sept. Thurs. 7PM Topic: Flooding Woodland Run Park and Sewer Blowback Issues Woodland Park : Second Follow Up Zoom Meeting


Topic: Special Meeting 17 Sept. Thurs. 7PM Topic: Flooding Woodland Run Park and Sewer Blowback Issues Woodland Park : Second Follow Up Zoom Meeting
 
Time: Sep 17, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09
Meeting ID: 898 692 4710
Passcode: 12345 
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,8986924710#,,,,,,0#,,12345# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,8986924710#,,,,,,0#,,12345# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 898 692 4710
Passcode: 12345
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjPcmlNKt



Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Flooding In Woodland Run Park / Little Mill Creek - Sewer Blowback Issues, ZOOM Meeting With NCC Set For 7PM August 27th

An invitation from Brookland Terrace and Woodland Park civic associations ~

7 p.m. Thursday, August 27th
ZOOM Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09
Meeting ID: 898 692 4710Passcode: 12345
Agenda

Solutions and Timeline for Resolution of Issues
- Sewer BlowBack Woodland Park Clean Up and Back Flow into Homes 
- Sewer Outflow Issues Woodland Run Park 
- Raw Sewage C19 In Homes and Park  
- Right Of Way NCC Sewer Main Maps WP WH BT WRP  
- Woodland Run Park downed Trees , Brush , Banks  and Trees in Creek

Background (read more HERE) ~
Pamela Russac Pres Woodland Heights Civic Association and Chuck Stirk Pres Brookland Terrace Civic Club have been dealing with flooding caused by brush and trees down in NCC Woodland Run park that has gone multiple years with out clean up . 
We believe NCC sewer lines blowback in Woodland Park directly related to flooding in NCC Woodland Run park as the NCC Sewer lines run through the park and we have multiple reports of outflow from the manholes throughout the past weeks. 
........We feel for those in Woodland Park and would like to see the issues with sewer blowback resolved before situation is similar in our communities. 



Friday, August 21, 2020

Southern New Castle County Master Plan Virtual Public Workshop: 6PM Wednesday, August 26th (RSVP)


6 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 24th

Help Plan for the Future of Transportation in Southern New Castle County!
The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO), in partnership with the New Castle County Dept. of Land Use and the Delaware Dept. of Transportation (DelDOT), will present a draft of the Transportation Element of the Southern New Castle County Master Plan.
Attend this Virtual Workshop to review and provide input on draft recommendations for transportation improvements, before they're implemented.
Your feedback is vitally important in developing a plan that meets the needs of all. Please help us by sharing the event information with your friends and neighbors, on Facebook and Nextdoor, and with any civic or other organizations you think would be interested.
To view and comment on the draft plan and transportation recommendations, please visit www.wilmapco.org/snccmp.
To view and print a workshop flyer, please visit: www.wilmapco.org/Aug%202020%20workshop%20flyer.pdf.
WILMAPCO is also available for virtual presentations to community groups and civic organizations. To schedule a presentation at your group's next meeting, or if you have any other questions, please email Randi Novakoff at rnovakoff@wilmapco.org.
If you require special assistance, please let us know and we will endeavor to meet your needs. Thank you for your willingness and interest in participating in this planning process

Will Liquified Natural Gas And Other Flammable Hydrocarbons Be Exported Via The Delaware River? ZOOM Meeting 11:30-1 Monday August 24th

Hot Topic - Will Liquified Natural Gas and Other Flammable Hydrocarbons be Exported Via the Delaware River?

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday, August 24th
Zoom Web Conference
In June 2019 Delawareans learned that Governor Carney had joined other Governors on the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) in voting to allow Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other flammable hydrocarbons to be shipped out of a port in New Jersey and down the Delaware River. Many of us were surprised and dismayed with concerns about safety and effects on global warming. 
The DRBC will soon be re-voting on this issue. 
Many groups in other states are actively opposing the project. 
Learn what they are doing and what you can do. 
A representative from Delaware Riverkeeper will provide background and Coralie Pryde will discuss concerns particular to Delaware. An open discussion of possible actions will follow. 
Send any questions for the speakers to Coralie Pryde at lwvncc@comcast.net
Register HERE

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Comprehensive Planning: An Educational Q and A For Local Advocates VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING 5PM Thursday August 27th Submit Questions NOW!

An invitation from the Civic League for New Castle County and Delaware Sierra Club ~

Comprehensive Planning: An Educational Q and A For Local Advocates

5 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 27th
ZOOM and Facebook LIVE Meeting

Join this wonderful list of local advocates and organizations to learn more about the New Castle County Comprehensive Plan and how this document can make such a monumental impact on our daily lives in the future. Learn about what the Comprehensive Plan is, what it does, what it doesn't do, and how it can be used as a tool for justice and to build a better future, or a tool to continue the New Castle on the same path it has been on for the last 10 years. 

We need all advocates to be engaged in planning for the future of our state's largest county, but first, we need to educate ourselves and the public on the fundamentals. Expert speakers and decision-makers will be able to answer questions from the community and have an open dialogue about the importance of community engagement on this document.

Speakers will include staff from the Department of Land Use, the State Planning Office, and the Institute for Public Administration at the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration.

Community members and organizers from various groups will lead the conversation.

These organizations include: 
  • Sierra Club Delaware Chapter
  • Concerned Residents For Environmental Justice
  • Rt Nine Civic Association
  • Dunleith Civic Association
  • Community Benefits Agreement Coalition
  • Claymont Citizens Environmental Group
  • New Castle County Prevention Coalition
  • Civic League for New Castle County
You must RSVP to join the Zoom call, but you can also watch online at Facebook.com/desierraclub. This meeting will be recorded for those unable to make it, and you can submit your questions online before the event here: https://forms.gle/KeyWvotnDuJNtnFc7


More reading on DelDOT Level of Service MOU in the current Sussex County Comprehensive Planning process -
Sussex Alliance for Growth: Recommendations On Sussex County-DelDOT MOU
Sussex Alliance for Growth make recommendations on MOU
Complexities of DelDOT memorandum surface 
Updated: Sussex To Seal The Deal With Updated DelDOT Land Use MOU 





Thursday, July 23, 2020

Campaign To End Debtors’ Prison ZOOM Discussion: DE Law, Fines And Fees Policies, 7PM Thursday, July 23rd


From Westminster’s Peace and Justice Work Group:

Campaign to End Debtors’ Prison 
Peace and Justice Education Series:
7 p.m. Thursday, July 23rd
ZOOM Meeting (Link Below)
Westminster’s Peace and Justice Work Group will feature a speaker from the Campaign to End Debtors’ Prison. Come learn how Delaware’s laws and policies related to fines and fees unfairly punish those in poverty. 
We’ll also discuss what can be done about it! 
Join us at this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84768977211 ...Or go to zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 847 6897 7211 and click “Join.”

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

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.



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.

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
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