Recently at a public hearing we learned that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources hands out permits that are, shall we say, “lax.”

Click HERE for the official transcript of the Indian River Power Plant’s water discharge hearing released by DNREC so you can read the word for word account of the meeting. I would really suggest reading it, it doesn’t take long at all.

I’m nominating this fish to be the mascot of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources

Now, we have less than 30 days to contact DNREC and voice our opinions about the permit they let expire 16 years ago and their new permit that allows a daily average of “1,803 pounds” of oil and grease and a daily maximum of 3,605 pounds of oil and grease out of one outfall. On top of that it allows for things like “60 pounds of copper” a day to be discharged, which DNREC admits is “toxic” to marine life…really, read the transcript.

We can also tell DNREC that since many of us enjoy fishing and crabbing in our local waters, we’d like the department in charge of protecting our state’s natural resources to be a little more concerned about the estimated 600,000 blue crab, 3.2 million bay anchovies, 543,733 croaker and 834,775 winter flounder the plant killed over a two year period.

Those are fish that people could be cursing at as they break their lines or if they’re lucky, they could be eating them if the plant would just get with the 21st Century, or even the last decades of the 20th Century….

The technology is available to lessen the impact of the plant on its surroundings, and if DNREC and/or NRG Energy would like to argue that they are too cost prohibitive, then they should tell us exactly how much the stuff costs and what the cost breakdown would be for the everyone on the grid who gets power from the plant, cause it ain’t just Delawareans (though Delawareans carry the full burden of the plant’s pollution).

And seriously, our county, state and federal governments need to hear from you, too. That’s why I’m posting some contact information. Just click on a name or copy an e-mail address and you’ll be on your way to venting at our dysfunctional government:

The Governor:

Governor Ruth Ann Minner

Delaware Department of Natural Resources:

DNREC Secretary John Hughes John.Hughes@state.de.us

Director, Division of Water Resources Katherine Bunting-Howarth Katherine.Howarth@state.de.us

This is the guy who is officially taking public comment about the water discharge permit at the Indian River Power Plant, so you can’t leave him out:

Hearing Officer:
Robert Haynes
89 King’s Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-9039
Robert.Haynes@state.de.us

Delaware House of Representatives:

14th District Representative Pete Schwartzkopf Rehoboth Beach: Peter.Schwartzkopf@state.de.us

35th District Representative Benjamin Ewing Bridgeville

36th District Representative George Carey Milford

37th District Representative Joseph Booth Georgetown: Joseph.Booth@state.de.us

38th District Representative Gerald Hocker Ocean View: Gerald.Hocker@state.de.us

39th District Representative Daniel Short Seaford

40th District Representative “Biff” Lee Laurel: biff.lee@state.de.us

41st District Representative Greg Hastings Millsboro: greg.hastings@state.de.us

Delaware Senate:

18th District Senator Gary Simpson Milford: gsimpson@udel.edu

19th District Senator Thurman Adams, Jr. Bridgeville: Thurman.Adams@state.de.us

20th District Senator George Bunting, Jr. Bethany Beach: George.Bunting@state.de.us

21st District Senator Robert Venables, Sr. Laurel: Robert.Venables@state.de.us

Our Congressman:

Congressman Mike Castle

Our Senators:

Senator Tom Carper
Senator Joe Biden

So,I tried to get a meeting with John Hughes the Director of DNREC…

“It’s our job to ensure these plants have the permits they need.”

Tuesday morning I called DNREC to talk to John Hughes, the Director, and I was sent to the Director of Water Resources, Katherine Bunting-Howarth. I asked her straight forward questions about the amount of…stuff…their permit allowed the Indian River Power Plant to spew from its water discharge outfalls.

“Its our job to ensure these plants have the permits they need.” - Katherine Bunting-Howarth, Director of Water Resources, Delaware Department of Natural Resources

(Again, the permit I was asking about was the replacement for a permit that expired 16 years ago, not, of course, that I’m implying that DNREC isn’t doing its “job”…).

I asked Bunting-Howarth to let me come up to Dover to interview her, and she indicated that she wanted Peder Hansen there, and we could possibly do it Wednesday at around 8:30 a.m. and that she would call to confirm the interview.

The confirmation call came from Joanne Wilson, a public information officer, who wanted to know what questions I was going to ask, and basically how the station was going to use the interview.

The last call I received was from Joanne canceling the meeting, with no idea when they could reschedule, or when they could get back to me.

Hopefully I’ll hear from them since many of our listeners and readers are the Indian River Power Plant’s neighbors. And really, just because DNREC didn’t post the information about the public hearing on their website or the State’s website, and just because the information that they DID send out had the meeting place listed at a Senior Center that doesn’t exist, that doesn’t mean DNREC is trying to keep information from the public.

Maybe they’d just rather give the interview to someone who doesn’t live near the plant and isn’t walking around in shock and disbelief after attending the public hearing…or maybe DNREC is just too darn busy making sure everything Delaware’s worst polluters want to do is perfectly legal….

More to come including some political reaction…

 Here is an email WGMD News just received from Milton Police Chief, William Phillips regarding the possible gang-related crimes that took place recently in Milton. Included are names and additional information on the case (Things to notice -I highlighted with bold print).

 

 Mr. Ciccanti,

“We are still attempting to locate Mr. Nelson Torres (18-year old) and the other guy from Texas. We are checking to see just what gang from the Wilmington area that Mr. Torres is with, but it will take a few more days to confirm same. Mr. Torres may be back in the Wilmington area, and we have people looking for him up there (warrants on file). The 15-year old suspect’s name is Mark Zavala and is from Texas and is still on the run also. We know that he is living in the lower part of the State of Texas and Mexican border. We are attempting to get him picked up and sent back to Delaware (warrants on file). We received information from other people and family members that he may be involved in a gang from Texas, but we have not confirmed same at this time. Some of the tagging that was done is consistent with a Wilmington gang tagging and some other tagging that we are attempting to learn what gang it is from, maybe Texas.

The two boys that have been arrested–names are: Mr. Christopher Garcia, 15-year old of Milton DE, and Joshua E. Lofland–17 year old from Milton, DE. were the ones who were arrested for the car break-ins (burglaries), thefts, and graffiti. All four suspects were hanging out with each other in the beginning and did the gang Tagging & burglaries etc…around the town of Milton. Then they had a failling out over money and Lofland then attempted to assault Torres but did not get the chance. The next day on Saturday, the suspect–Torres entered the Milton Library and hit/assaulted suspect Lofland with a rock. Milton Police executed two search warrants at two different dwellings in the town of Milton and located stolen property from different burglaries etc. I believe that more charges are coming to all the suspects in this email. We are investigating other issues as we speak. I will be glad to share more information as we get it, but I just cannot share everything, you understand. Thank you…”

 Delaware Republican State Representative Gerald Hocker has decided to comment on the blogger-wanna-be-governor Burris comment calling former State Rep. John Atkins a “disgraced piece of human garbage“.  He seems to be taking the same approach as Sen. George Bunting;  the ol’ “we know you come from better stock than that, Davey boy” attitude.  These men seemed stunned that a son of John Burris would stoop to this level of gutter language politicking.  Is this the new “Delaware way?” 

Dan, 

I am in Nashville to attend a Beth Cayhall show case and received a call telling me of the Dave Burris comment. 

Although I do not want to see John Atkins run this term, especially as a Democrat, I do not agree with any such statement.  I have known the Burris family for many years.  They were one of my main suppliers when I first purchased my business in 1971. They were just a great family to do business with and I am sure Dave was not raised in any such way, and I do hope an apology is made to John. As a Republican I am very sorry for such a comment from our previous county leader. 

Gerald 

 

Delaware State Senator George Bunting (D) has called on former Sussex Republican Chair, and blogger-wanna-be-governor  Dave Burris to publicly apologize to John Atkins and his family for referring to Atkins as  a “disgraced piece of human garbage”.

 

“This comment is unacceptable in any forum” , said Bunting while noting that this kind of commentary reflects on Atkins young children.  “Dave Burris wasn’t raised to make these kinds of comments; he wasn’t brought up that way”

 

Will Burris follow Mr. Buntings request, and apologize?

Bunting made his comments on Mondays Dan Gaffney Show.  (92.7 WGMD)

 

On WGMD’s Maria Evans show this morning, former State Representative John Atkins says he is running again:

 

“Because I have a passion for the people…”

“I had many phone calls– from people–people I have run into around town–not just family and friends, a lot of Mayors, former Mayors that I worked with, state policemen, municipal police officers, fire company chiefs…asking me to run again.”

“Everybody deserves a second chance. I’ve given people second chances…”

“It’s not my ego, and I don’t need the money, but I want to serve, because in my heart, I know that I can represent the people better and did than what we are getting right now…”

“I don’t know how many times I can apologize. And WGMD has accepted the apology. I know all my local papers have. The News Journal –it seems like they still have an axe to grind.”

Atkins, who plans to register with the Delaware Department of Elections this week as a Democrat, says he will become a “conservative Democrat.”

 ”I will go back to Dover and represent the same conservative views that I did as a Republican.”

So it’s official. Is he deserving of a second chance? I believe so. We all make mistakes. All people fall short of perfection no matter who they are and what they do. I’ve made mistakes. God, who is a God of second chances, has given me numerous chances. I have gotten second chances from other people before, and I myself have given people second chances. We’ve all had bad days and have made bad choices, but you move on and learn from those mistakes.

The reaction on WGMD’s Maria Evans show from WGMD listeners was mixed—a little disappointment over his decision to run as a Democrat, but most said they don’t have a problem with him representing the 41st again. Is there any other reaction out there?

 

Get used to these campaign signs because they’re coming back to the 41st District.

Former 41st District Representative John Atkins was live on the air with me this morning, and I asked him straight out, “Are you going to run for your old 41st District seat as a Democrat, John Atkins?”

His answer was, “Yes I am.”

He goes on to explain why he’s changing parties instead of challenging Republican Representative Greg Hastings, who won the seat during a special election after Atkins resigned, to a Republican primary. We also cover a wide array of topics including his Ocean City police stop, his relationship with the Delaware GOP, the 41st District Democratic Committee’s Resolution to not endorse his candidacy, and his current family life.

Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

But bummer for DNREC, I can still type…

What’s a few million dead fish every year between friends? Or between Delaware’s worst polluter and the local citizens they stick it to every day?

DNREC, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources, had a meeting Thursday night in Millsboro and the topic was the permit that allows the Indian River Power Plant to suck in and discharge its surrounding waters for cooling, a practice that results in millions of fish, shellfish and other assorted aquatic life killed every year.

In a two year study done for NRG Energy, Inc., the company that owns the plant, a whopping 600,000 blue crab, 543,733 croaker, 834,775 winter flounder and over 3.2 million bay anchovy were killed along with thousands of spot and Atlantic menhaden.

Interestingly, other fish like striped bass, trout, sea bass, minnows, rays, sharks, etc…were not even included in the study, because they’re not considered “Representative Important Species.” Yeah, you read that right, rockfish and bluefish aren’t considered “Representative Important Species.”

Alan Muller of Green Delaware Thursday night in Millsboro. In this picture he’s holding up the State’s schedule of public hearings noting that the hearing we were all sitting in was mysteriously missing from the list.

And this is classic, DNREC seems to think that the huge number of fish killed every year by the plant poses no “appreciable harm to fish and shellfish of the Indian River Watershed.” But when Alan Muller of Green Delaware questioned the DNREC officials about what “appreciable harm” even meant, they had to admit they didn’t even know… AUDIO clip that you have to hear to believe.

Then Muller brings up the pesky fact that DNREC’s permit allows NRG Engery to include “1,800 pounds of oil and grease into that discharge.” And that basically under the permit the plant could intentionally dump oil and grease into the waterways and it would be “legal.” (I know what you’re thinking, “Maria has lost her mind, she just can’t have that right,” but I’m correct and here’s the horrifying AUDIO CLIP to prove it. Enjoy the part where the DNREC guy trys to thank Muller for his “comment” without answering his question).

Then there was John Austin who pointed out the high levels of arsenic found around the plant and talked about the increased cancer risk associated with eating fish exposed to the toxin. Austin went on to say that the permit proposed by DNREC doesn’t even address the arsenic levels in the Indian River Power Plant’s discharge. AUDIO

Greg Hastings was at the hearing, and he was less than thrilled with what he witnessed.

“If I tell you I’m disappointed…that’s an understatement.” - 41st District Representative Greg Hastings AUDIO

Did I even mention yet that the permit the Indian River Power Plant has been operating under expired 16 years ago and has been extended “administratively” ever since? Or how DNREC judges the fish kills to be acceptable by comparing them to the number of fish in the entire Atlantic fishery? Or the huge amounts of heavy metals released in the discharge?

And let me just add this: Sussex Countians endure the Indian River Power Plant polluting our air, water, land and the fish and shellfish we eat, while NRG Energy sells the power generated by the Plant into the grid. On top of that, DNREC, the state agency that is supposed to be protecting the fine people of the State of Delaware, doles out permits to the plant that are so permissive that NRG Energy can basically do anything and still be in compliance. But don’t you ever catch and keep a fish that’s one inch too short or you can be fined and/or arrested.

So everyone breathe a sigh of relief because DNREC is looking out for our waterways and the local fish we eat…but please don’t breathe too deeply because DNREC monitors our air quality, and I was being totally sarcastic about the whole “breathe a sigh of relief” thing.

Senator Joe Biden is safe after his helicopter made an emergency landing in Afghanistan.

A helicopter carrying a Senate delegation including our own Delaware Senator Joe Biden had to make an “unscheduled landing” in Afghanistan earlier today. WGMD News received this statement from Senator Biden’s office:

“The helicopters transporting the Senate delegation in Afghanistan made an unscheduled landing this morning due to a snowstorm. There were no injuries and all members of the traveling party were safely transported to their destination at Bagram Air Base,” said Senator Biden’s spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander.

Senator Biden was traveling with Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE).

There is no word yet on whether or not Senator John Kerry (D-MA), will receive a purple heart for the “unscheduled landing.” (Like I could possibly resist that).

House leader responds to State News…. 

Dear Editor,
 

The State News recently ran an opinion column by State Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf on manufactured housing issues that, through errors and omissions, unfairly characterized the efforts of some of my colleagues.
 

In his column, Rep. Schwartzkopf stated that “a legislator, who owns a manufactured hous­ing community, is allowed to be a member of the Sub- Committee on Manufactured Housing”.  This is absolutely false.  There are nine members of this sub-committee, including Rep. Schwartzkopf.  None of these legislators owns a manufactured housing community.
 

Rep. Schwartzkopf also unjustly asserted that a House Subcommittee Meeting on Manufactured Housing (Jan. 9^th) was intentionally held in a fashion intended to shut the public out.  In fact, the meeting was open to the public and was held in the largest meeting room in Legislative Hall, with a seating capacity of approximately 50.  Among those in attendance were the leadership of the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association and more than a half-dozen TV, radio and newspaper reporters.  The meeting came about only after public hearings were held in each county to gather public input on the manufactured housing bills before the committee.  No rational person can legitimately claim that the Jan. 9^th meeting was conducted in anything less than an open, public fashion. 
 

Another unsupported allegation by Rep. Schwartzkopf bordered on libelous.  In his column, he indicted all State House Republican legislators by implying that their reluctance to pass the poorly crafted legislation he supports is to protect state GOP chairman Terry Strine, who is a manufactured housing community owner.  
 

What Rep. Schwartzkopf omitted was that it has been Republican House members who have successfully sponsored the laws that have aided manufactured housing residents in recent years.  Those reforms include: rewriting the state’s outdated Landlord-Tenant Code to improve lease agreements; establishing a relocation fund to help displaced homeowners when a community closes; and limiting lot rent increases to once per year.  Republicans also sponsored a new law to help homeowners resolve disputes without costly litigation, a process that just began within the last few months.
 

Another fact conspicuously absent from the original column is that the areas of the state where manufactured housing is prevalent are predominately represented in the State House by Republicans.  In other words, Republican lawmakers are actively motivated to help the people residing in manufactured housing because these are their friends, neighbors and constituents. 
 

Someone more cynical than I might suggest that misrepresenting Republican legislators’ track record of progress on manufactured housing issues is a political tactic intentionally designed to alienate voters in an election year. 
 

Fortunately, I’m not that cynical.
 

Sincerely,
 

State House Majority Leader Richard Cathcart

It’s being reported on FOX NEWS and MSNBC that the helicopter carrying Delaware Senator Joe Biden, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), has made an emergency landing in Afghanistan.

More to come…