DNREC RULES I AM NOT A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC
May 9th, 2008 by Maria Evans
The Indian River Power Plant, Delaware’s worst polluter.
Last week I started getting e-mails from various sources telling me about another public hearing in Millsboro over the issuance of a permit for the Indian River Power Plant, Delaware’s worst polluter. This time, the permit was over a proposed “Activated Carbon Injection” system designed to reduce mercury emissions from the smokestacks.
I thought, “Less mercury? Woo hoo!” But then, I started getting e-mails from various environmental groups that were filled with cautions over the plan. I didn’t get it. But now, unfortunately, I do.
NRG’s plan is to use an “Activated Carbon Injection” system to trap mercury, which is great, and apparently cost effective. What isn’t great is that when the system is saturated, the mercury infused waste will be dumped in the fly ash pile already on the plant’s site. An ash pile that has no barrier between it and the ground, it isn’t covered, and it isn’t equipped to handle toxic waste. So basically the mercury can leech into the ground, or it can simply fly off the top of the uncovered ash pile.
“A new solid waste is going to be generated and where and how this waste is managed is really a significant issue for the public.” ~ John Austin, Citizens for Clean Power AUDIO
(As an aside, it seems that even though studies are showing that fly ash piles are indeed toxic, the EPA is just getting around to thinking about it, meanwhile the piles are not regulated by either the EPA or DNREC, but what the heck, substances like arsenic couldn’t be dangerous, right?)
41st District Representative Greg Hastings, the only legislator who bothered to show up for the hearing.
“From sitting here tonight, it just makes me more aware of the work I need to do.” ~ 41st District Representative Greg Hastings AUDIO
And while an NRG Energy Representative assured the crowd the plant wanted to be a “good neighbor,” years of the facility thwarting regulations has left some, shall we say, “skeptical.”
Three representatives from NRG Energy in Millsboro. I’m showing them sitting down from behind because I’m so nice.
“You did stand here and say you want to be a “good neighbor.” I’m going to look in your face and I’m going to say, “As a physician who deals with cancer patients you be a “good neighbor,” do not fight these people, do not fight us by saying you won’t put it in a lined fly ash pit.” Do you like to sleep at night? Do you?” ~ Dr. Kim Furtado to NRG Representatives at the hearing AUDIO
Michael Fiorentino from the Mid Atlantic Environmental Law Center attended the hearing to ask questions. I think he was hired by one or more of the citizens groups in the area. I spoke with Mr. Fiorentino after the hearing to get his take on the plan:
“Our primary concern here tonight was that in the effort to control one dangerous pollutant we don’t end up squeezing that pollution out in another form.” ~ Michael Fiorentino, Mid Atlantic Environmental Law Center AUDIO
There were a few speakers who surprised me. One was a man named Brooks Freeman from Lewes:
“I’ve only spent 6 months of my entire life away from this area. I’ve never smoked, and I’ve never drank. I am a cancer survivor.” ~ Brooks Freeman AUDIO
The other was a Thomas Sullivan, a Millsboro resident:
“Three years ago my doctor warned me not to eat one fish out of the Indian River.” ~ Thomas Sullivan AUDIO
Now, I’ve got to say that the best part of the evening was when I stood up and tried to ask some questions, and for the record, I was extraordinarily polite. AUDIO But unfortunately, Hearing Officer, Robert Haynes of DNREC told me “No, no, no” and said I could ask DNREC and NRG questions after the hearing was over. I guess they didn’t want me on the record.
Well, Mr. Haynes denying me the right to ask questions really ticked off a woman in the crowd that I never saw before, and who left before I could find out who she was. I want to thank her for standing up for me like that. I found Mr. Haynes response to her unsettling, to say the least. Apparently, I’m not a “member of the public.”
“She’s a member of the press, she’s not a member of the public.” ~ DNREC Hearing Official Robert Haynes, ruling that I’m not a member of the public, and therefore I have no right to ask questions in a DNREC public hearing. AUDIO OF MY RIGHTS BEING DENIED BY A BUREAUCRAT
Now, just to add a little salt to the wound, after the hearing, the three NRG Representatives went squirrelly. One disappeared immediately, and the other two refused to answer my questions. And yeah, I have audio of the NRG people blowing me off. AUDIO OF NRG EMPLOYEES REFUSING TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS
For the record, here are the horrifying questions I was going to ask DNREC and NRG Energy
1. What is the total amount of mercury in pounds or tons put out by the IRPP per year.
2. Are you (NRG) using the cleaner burning coal now? What kind of coal are you currently burning?
3. What percentage of NRG’s electricity is contracted to Delaware energy companies, how much goes to out of state contracts?
4. Is the 80% reduction based on total output or is it for each unit?
5. How often will emissions be tested, by whom, and is NRG responsible for telling DNREC they aren’t in compliance? Who tells DNREC if there is a violation?
6. Tell us about the erosion around the fly ash pit, is the seawall compromised? Why isn’t it lined or covered? Are fly ash pits regulated by the EPA or DNREC?
7. Will NRG be “mothballing” Units 1 & 2 on schedule?
8. What is the public comment time frame?
Yes, all scandalous and out of line. No wonder DNREC Hearing Officer, Robert Haynes shut me down. HERE’S A SCANNED COPY OF MY NOTEBOOK PAGES WITH THE SCARY QUESTIONS.
So, I have been officially ruled “not a member of the public” by DNREC. And here I was walking around like I had the right to ask questions about a state permit for a facility in my backyard and in the backyard of the people in WGMD’s listening area.
Shame on me.
Incidentally, the NRG Representatives told Mr. Haynes that they have to have the permit in three weeks which means no opportunity for the public to digest what went on Wednesday night, and then add their comments to the record for consideration.
You can contact DNREC Hearing Officer Robert Haynes at 302-739-9039 and his email address is Robert.Haynes@state.de.us.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:43 am
You just have to love that imperious attitude of Mr. Robert Haynes. He needs a reality check the he works for the taxpayer.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:54 am
You can contact Mr. Haynes at 302-739-9039 and his email address is Robert.Haynes@state.de.us.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I do agree that Mr. Haynes was not very tactful or correct. However, the public
(and I do mean people and press) need to remember that there are rules
for how these public hearings are conducted. They are set up for comment
only, not for questioning.
Do I think that there could be a more useful way to conduct a public give and
take? Of course. The problem is, that is not what we have now. It is not fair
to keep bashing the public officials, the companies who are being commented
on, and DNREC, for following the rules.
How would YOU feel to be one of the people standing up there with the public
yelling, calling you names, making false statements, and YOU could not
reply?
Just some food for thought.
And by the way, I do not agree with everything that has been done by these
agencies, companies, etc. involved in this process. But for the most part,
these are underpaid, underappreciated employees just doing their job.
It would be nice to take some of the accusatory tone out of this and work
together to solve the problems.
Inland Bays lover
May 9th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Let me share a story line with you about ” DNREC ”
I am 52 years old, I have been a resident of Sussex Co. since July 11, 1964. I have lived on both sides of the County. 2years on the West side, the rest on the East side. THE greater portion of that time within 2 miles circumfrance of the Power Plant. I am all to aware of DNREC, and well aware of the Plant. I have had friends and relatives both employed by the Plant, I know more about the history and inner workings of the Plant, than any average person in the County knows about the plant. I do not claim to know it all, but I know enough to cause an embarrassment or two should I devulge some of the secrets that has been done to the public at large, with regard to the Plant. If any other person has some kind of ties with the Plant, I’m sure they have some “hair raisers” too! Especially former workers internally to the Plant.
But this is about DNREC.
DNREC was a “nobody” organization out of WWII, through the 50’s, clear into the early 60’s, when they became ink on paper! Some of the other area States—like Maryland, got on board with a management program set with specifics to have governence over the enviornment and called them the Department of Natural Reasources & Enviornmental Control, of for short termonology: DNREC.
You know little Delaware can never be showed up by it’s giant neighbors to the four winds of the world surrounding, so they had to act like “grown ups too” so here she comes, along with countless other “Governmental Projects” that has plagued out lands ever since!
If New York has it, Delaware has to have one! If Indiana has it, Delaware has to have it! If Pennsylvania has it, Delaware has to have it! So on, and on it goes.
And the Plant back in the 50’s & 60’s had units, 1 & 2. They were vented to the atmosphere by 2 stacks that were reletivily short stacks of probably under 175 feet, even as low as 150 feet or some where in there. The plants operators could exhaust those boilers in one foul swoop, and the crap that come out the stack was so black, it was impossibile to get a ray of sunshine through it, and they went on like that day and night for decades! I remember, because I was there, I seen it with my own eyes! I was born at night, but it wasn’t last night.
We never had One, not One rule or law on the books concerning ground well water or septic, “in ground’ sewage tanks, of the more commonly accepted method of “in ground, cinder block square tank construction”(commonly refferred to as “Sewage Tank”– not commonly called; “Septic Tank”), as this languge of reference became the norm for the kind of “Holding and Distribution of Solids & Water” that took over for most of the homes in rural Delaware, including Mobile ones. Heck, most places in rural De. back in the mid-to late 50’s — even early to mid-60’s were all “home on block” foundations, and “trailor” mobile homes were still being pulled behind the station wagon and only lived in while on a road trip or vacation, never to be meant as “full time living qarters”! But we all know how that one had to change, now don’t we all?
In the year of our Lord 1968, it was either Charles Terry or Russell W. Peterson who authorized or seen to it we had our “OWN” EPA called DNREC
Oh there were visions of grandure and hi hopes of comming to the rescue of the little poor little nobody’s of the State, and protecting their poor little pea-pickens poor selves from all of the dangers of BIG BUSINESS and big GOVERNMENT like the EPA— Oh, that’s such ploy and deception, as to announce as a State Governmental Agency called DNREC, that is being established to represent the underprivledged and disadvantaged so they get a fair shake in the order of sociaital evoloution, when in fact all we got was another MONSTER just like it’s big brother, the EPA, and everybody knows what kind of a GIANT they are!
1967, “NO LAWS” on the books anywhere in the State concerning Septic Water of Ground wells. 1968—We Got Laws!
1980, January— We Have NO LAWS on the books regulating Salt Water Fishing— Be it Sport or Commercial!
Late 1980-to 81, DNREC, a man appointed by I believe Pete DuPont, named Charles “Charlie” Lesser, Task force administrator for DNREC, finfish control for the State. Lied to everybody! I Know, I was there!
What have we got today— Sport Fisherman? Ah, your already getting use to it! A License to Catch fish in Salt Water! Talk about a loss of FREEDOM!
WOW! that’s louder to me than when Mel Gibson in the Movie “Braveheart” was riding his horse before asking his men to make the Ultimiate Sacrifice— Mr. William Wallace declared to his people: “They may take our Women and Children, but they will never take my–our “FREEDOM”
Well according to Maria’s comment, they already have! Like it or not, they Effectivily SILENCED her on the spot! I don’t think Mr. Wallace was going to be silenced that day, nor do I believe any body reading this blog has the internal fortitude to take on City Hall either! I know your pointing the finger at me— all I can say, if you really knew me and knew my heart and my nature, you would know I am not or would not be a part of that lump! I can speak very well for my self to ANYBODY, anytime it needs to be said.
You invite the Big Boss Man over to where you work and live and expect that he will not pull you down on the rug for “any violation of the rules”, is a person mis-informed, and not very well educated!
We all pay a price for Big Government! It’s called; Waste, Fraud, and Mis-Management! Show me ONE that isn’t? “You want it, you got it, TOYOTA!
You want salt water fishing licenses, you want more governmental regulations, guess what? They are on the way! Just call one of your favorite Politico’s any tell them, “We don’t have enough Governmental controls and regulations! Can you please think up some more Governmental Regulatory Body’s to come up with so I can be charged with something here in this life! I just cannot get enough rules put on the books for all of us to be regulated by! Heck— I’m for Everything!
Big Government is Big Business! At least that’s not made in China!
May 9th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Inland Bays, the NRG and DNREC people at the meeting answered questions. They answered questions from the lawyer, and from the public attending the meeting. Just not MY questions.
In fact, Mr. Haynes defended his department quite forcefully against allegations from a speaker that they allow the plant to self regulate.
So what’s your point, again? Oh yeah, they can’t defend themselves or answer questions. Well that’s just incorrect.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Maria, I apologize for my mistake, I was not there. I was under the impression it was a public hearing, which in the past was a forum for the public (Including you) to make comments to the various companies, agencies, etc. If they were answering questions, then they should have answered yours, providing the rules
allow for questions from the press (and it sounds like you were there as a member of the press). The “insult” was to imply that because you are a member of the press, that you are not also a member of the public.
Just trying to keep things civil…
May 9th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Additionally, Maria, it would be nice to NOT refer to NRG employees as squirrelly. I listened to the audio, and it sounded like a reasonable response ” please refer to our corporate spokesperson”. That’s a fairly common response for corporations who have been put on the spot and may not be able to answer the questions accurately at that time. If the event was over, I do think they have the right to leave.
As far as DNREC’s comments defending themselves as to them “allowing the plant to self-regulate”, I have to agree that some of the regulations/permits have taken a ridiculous amount of time to get into place and/or re-issued. But, the plant has continued to operate under the original permits until new ones are put into place. Some of those permits were put into place under DP&L, which does not even exist anymore. That plant is on its 3rd ownership, so it’s a little unrealistic to expect changes to happen quickly or smoothly.
I agree that the permits need to be done. Let’s keep the pressure on DNREC, and once everything is in place, they will force NRG to comply.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Just for fun, I did a search on the Delaware Government website and on the DNREC website for rules about DNREC public hearings and media participation. I even checked “Media Relations” for clues. I didn’t find any rules on reporters asking questions during public hearings. Since the Hearing Examiner allowed questions from people who signed up to speak, I think they should have allowed Maria’s questions. She is a member of the local public, not just a reporter. Her family is also impacted by power plant pollution.
I wasn’t at this hearing, but I will say that in a previous hearing experience with Mr. Haynes, he was respectful toward the public. He was also very courteous to me when I asked for a prior comment deadline to be extended for “good cause.” As was NRG.
Don’t beat up on Maria. She’s doing an excellent job informing the public. All she wanted was straight answers to fair questions. Every “breather” in Sussex County should say thanks.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Inland Bays-the NRG reps didn’t know what my questions were when they refused to answer. That’s why I posted them. Scathing, weren’t they?
May 9th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Maria,
I was not beating up on you. I was just trying to find out the facts (since I wasn’t there). Thanks to Pat for looking up the rules. To me, it was not the tone or content of your questions which were a “problem” (not even to NRG), obviously, since until you just posted them no one could have known their content ahead of time.
Possibly there was a time issue, was it getting late? Again, I don’t know what was in Mr. Haynes’ thoughts when he closed down the hearing, but I do know
you have ignored my point about corporations using spokespersons to answer questions as may be the company policy.
Again, we all want to breathe fresher air. And again, we all are working towards the same goals, I think. Do you imaging that NRG or DNREC are enjoying the continual skewering in the press? I realize that this all serves a purpose, which is to move this process forward.
Maria, have you sent your questions to NRG to see what their answers are?
I would like to move past all this and actually get some information…
Thanks,
Inland Bay lover
May 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Bay Lover,
You wrote that Maryland, got on board with a management program set with specifics to have governence over the enviornment and called them the Department of Natural Reasources & Enviornmental Control, of for short termonology: DNREC.
You are right except that Maryland’s department is the Department of Natural Resources, DNR.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I’m waiting for answers to my questions. When I have them I’ll post them.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I can answer the first question.
1.What is the total amount of mercury in pounds or tons put out by the IRPP per year?
IRPP reported 2006 TRI Air release of 164 pounds mercury. 33 pounds to solid waste.
Under Regulation 1146 each unit has a maximum allocation, it totals 1460 ounces or 91.25 pounds for 2009-2012.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Joan,
I am not sure if you are referring to me, but I said nothing about Maryland’s department of natural resources.
Maria,
So, did you send them your questions, or are you expecting them to read this blog and respond…
By the way, did you sign up so you could speak at that public hearing?
Inland Bays
May 10th, 2008 at 12:04 am
I have emailed my questions, and I did not sign up to speak, but neither did anyone after Dr. Furtado, which was the majority of the people who spoke. Mr. Haynes was allowing people who didn’t sign up to speak.
You seem like a stickler for the rules, Inland, too bad you don’t apply your efforts to making sure the Indian River Power Plant is operating in a clean, responsible way. You know, to protect those Inland Bays you profess to appreciate.
I anxiously await your next attempt at justifying DNREC not allowing me to ask questions.
Meanwhile I have a question for you, did YOU go to the meeting, Inland, or do you just sit on the sidelines making sure people follow the proper hearing procedures?
May 10th, 2008 at 12:12 am
And how about this question, Inland, do you approve of NRG Energy removing mercury from their emissions and disposing of the mercury in a landfill on their site that isn’t regulated, isn’t lined or covered, and isn’t designed or designated to handle toxic waste? Is this a plan that you feel is safe and sufficient?
May 10th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Response to an email I sent Mr. Haynes
“The public hearing is for public comments. A public hearing is not to be used as a press conference for any reporter’s story”…….”She did in fact interview all concerned for her story.”
Bob Haynes
302 739-9039
Robert.Haynes@state.de.us
May 10th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Maria,
I must have really pushed some of your buttons. I was asking about the rules and what had happened SINCE I WAS NOT THERE! which I admitted in my second post.
Your blog was emotional, used unprofessional language (”Squirrelly”?) and implied that NRG did not want to answer your questions even though they are
so benign. Since you had not signed up to speak ahead of time, and you identified yourself as a member of the press (and not as solely a member of the public) the rules apparently state that it was not a press conference (which to me implies give and take of questions between the press and interested parties).
Additionally, who takes a picture from behind, and sarcastically says “because I’m so nice”. What does that mean? It was a public forum, anyone could have gone and seen the front of those guys.
I originally got into this because I was trying to find out more about what had happened. I have been trying to keep a civil tone, but you seem determined to be angry. Every single reply to anything I have said has been pointed, angry, or emotional.
Yes I do love the Inland Bays, I live on one of them. And I do my part in many other ways to reduce my impact on the environment.
Before I try to answer any more of your loaded questions, I think I’ll go do some research.
Inland Bays lover
May 10th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Inland bays, this is a BLOG. It’s supposed to be full of OPINION and SARCASM. Like this: DUH. I suggest that when you do your “research” you look up what a BLOG is. This post, is typical example of a BLOG POST.
As for my replies to your comments, it seems like you can dish it out, but you can’t take it, and your tone has been nothing but accusatory with me. The only thing you seem interested in trying to find out about, is whether or not I broke a public hearing rule.
And asking you if you approve of NRG taking mercury out of the air and putting it in a landfill that isn’t suited for toxic disposal, a landfill with no lining and no cover, is a “loaded question?”
May 10th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Pete, you heard my “interview” with the NRG representatives. I posted it unedited and in full.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Maybe DNREC and NRG representatives from Indian River SHOULD hold a press conference about the facilities’ water discharge and air emissions. I’m trying to think if they ever have…
May 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Maria,
My mistake in thinking that there could be civility in a blog.
Please point out one accusatory thing I said to you.
IB
May 10th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Accusatory “tone.” Your first comment’s tone implies I broke the rules of a public hearing: “They are set up for comment only, not for questioning.” Which proved to be wrong since both DNREC and NRG reps answered questions throughout.
Then, again your first comment, you add this: “How would YOU feel to be one of the people standing up there with the public yelling, calling you names, making false statements, and YOU could not reply?” Which is clearly meant to provoke a reaction from me. Incidentally, they could reply, which I explained to you, Mr. Haynes vigorously defended DNREC allowing NRG to report their own emissions violations.
Then there was this, again in your first comment: “It would be nice to take some of the accusatory tone out of this and work together to solve the problems.” Which has the tone of you accusing me of being accusatory in a blog post. Have you “researched” what a “BLOG POST” is yet?
Inland Bays, again, I contend that you are here simply to provoke a reaction from me. In fact, you say you were here to “find out what happened” and the only thing you seem interested in, again, is whether or not I broke the rules of a public hearing.
Here you go, Inland Bays, here’s a more thorough description of exactly “what happened” at the hearing in relation to the only issue you have shown interest in:
Good name, too bad you haven’t asked one question or made one comment about how the Inland Bays will be affected by NRGs mercury disposal plan.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Maria,
I don’t mean to hijack your thread, but I have an idea. Why don’t you have an open blog or thread where we concerned citizens can post what we would like to talk about. Say, a particular topic. When enough people show interest in that topic you could start it’s own thread. You have helped many of us learn about different topics and help contribute our thoughts on a solution or just understanding a bit better. Being that most of us do not have a voice, or a place to voice our opinion, this would be a big help. The more I listen to WGMD the more I like it.
Thank you, and again, I did not mean to interrupt this topic.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Dear Maria—
I tried to stay on the side lines, listening to the rhectoric
May 10th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Dear Maria—
I tried to stay on the side lines, listening to the rhetoric (here’s where I set off the submit comment line by mistake—as all can tell), any way I was spell checking and left clicked the wrong button!
SO, as to this blogger called Inland Bays lover— A BIG Poo Poo to you dear imposter! I know who you are, your a pathetic fake! That’s right, a FAKE! your no more concerned over the inland bays, as I am a feild full of CRAB GRASS w/3 types of sand burs meshed in for good measure!
One being the ole’ fashoned sand bur!
Second being a common field cockel-bur!
The third being a seamstreses pin cushion for a bur if you like, because that makes more sense than you ever so politely trying to suck up that ever lovin (OH– I just want to protect my precious Bays) bunch of huey, your trying to force down—or up Marias nose, and all over my good common sense, that you absolutely cannot fool!
Now I said it– I can face any man any where for any reason! Truth is always on my side because I have found the author of truth, and his word declaires to me that he will tell all liars—’Depart from me~the TRUTH was never in you!
So now, if your feathers got ruffled, and your gracious honor got a little tarnished, blogg on back here and we’ll figure out how to discover who each other are, and then all of Delmarva will know who we are, and I’d be willing to crawl a 1/4 mile on all fours, your in reality, no inland bay’s lover!
You have been sent by NRG to defuse and imbarress the WGMD radio station, and host Maria Evans, because you and them thought that you could just form any words and say all those goody things about being a nature lover, without somebody checking your underware!
I will look you stright in the eyes and I won’t be blinking!
P.S.— I have for the last 10 years been living within 1 & 1/2 miles— that’s ONE and ONE HALF MILES directly under ALL the smoke stacks of DP&L’s/NRG power generating plant— If anybodys concerned over health issues and pollutions in the waters— It’s me!
The place of my domicile has had excellent tasting drinking water here for the last 8 out of 10 years to date. The coffee water got so bad tasting, we had to go to bottled water, bottled water was drilling a hole in my pockets! We opted for a faucet water purifier, it seems to be doing the job.
When I moved here 10 years ago, we were in relative good health, 4 years ago, my wife got deadly cancer, 2 different types of cancer at the same time. She was given 2 months to live. That was just a little over 4 years ago, when I say we know the author of truth, I just didn’t pluck that down there for a read! The Doctor told me not to be hopeful. Expect the worst. Our water had been seemingly off somewhat, it was just creeping in as to be noticed as somethings up with the water. So we suffered it all we could before putting our foot down and spending the monies to try and remedy the problem. The spicket system made our coffee as good as it ever has tasted! If you think it wasn’t the direct result of that system, all you have to do is bypass the filter and use stright tap water for the next pot and get ready to barf! The most sourest tingly sensation to the tougue you want to taste!
Now, are you really a lover of Life?, State?, Air?, Salt Water?, Fresh Water?, Ground Water?, Lower Energy Costs?, Public Officials Being Held To Account?, Let Maria do as she please’s until she screws up, then let her boss deal with the problem to deal with it as they see it, then we can decide to be listeners of WGMD or not!
May 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am
environmental public hearings …
There are few rules for the conduct of DNREC public hearings. This has allowed the agency to orchestrate each proceeding depending on its objective at a particular time, and it is hard to know in advance what will happen at any one hearing.
Over the past few years DNREC has “reinterpreted the law” to reduce the role of the public. For example, members of the public are no longer allowed to be “parties,”–I won’t go into what that implies, but it is a lot. In the past I was sometimes able to have DNREC staff placed under oath, which sometimes improved the truthfulness of the testimony. No longer.
This is an issue Green Delaware has been concerned about for years, but for the most part people don’t pay attention to procedural stuff until a particular issue concerns them. Personally, I think a huge part of the problem is the silence, when not the active complicity, of Delaware’s mainstream “environmental community.” Sierra, Audubon, etc, just don’t “get it.”
This cutting out of the public began very noticeably during Nick DiPasquale’s tenure as head of DNREC, though doubtless his marching orders originated with the Chamber of Commerce, Chemical Industry Council, etc.
I have found Bob Haynes quite unpredictable–sometimes he runs hearings in a reasonable manner, sometimes not.
The overall effect has that the hearings have been reduced to opportunities for citizens to vent.
For the most part, the General Assembly members have been fully on board with this.
Kudos to Maria Evans for tying to ask questions. The sad reality is that few Delaware reporters do this in public.
See:
http://greendel.org/item.xhtml?name=article_BillofRights
http://greendel.org/item.xhtml?name=alert_0288
Alan Muller
Green Delaware
May 11th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Welcome to the home of the brave. Cost of a couple of sand piles at Indian River, 20 million. Cost to purchase your home “near” the beach, 750K. Cost of Cancer, Priceless.