Coastal Zone Act

DOVER, Del. (AP) - State environmental officials have begun the process for developing regulations for new industry in Delaware's environmentally protected coastal zone.

A new law enacted this year establishes a permitting process for new use of 14 existing industry sites within the zone, including abandoned brownfields.

State environmental secretary Shawn Garvin signed a notice last week starting the regulatory development process to implement permitting for land use conversion within the coastal zone.

MILLSBORO, Del. (AP) - State environmental officials are holding a public hearing on a proposed expansion of a poultry processing plant in Millsboro.

Thursday evening's hearing involves a request by Mountaire Farms for a Coastal Zone Act permit to build and operate a third production line in a 5,300 square foot expansion at its facility on John J. Williams Highway in Millsboro.

Environmental officials say the expansion would result in increased air emissions of about three tons a year from natural gas burned in existing boilers to provide heat for scalding.

Governor John Carney signed measure that amends Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act that would allow development of 14 former and current heavy industrial sites.

Carney called the law a win-win opportunity for the First State that would make for a cleaner environment as well as provide additional jobs to Delaware’s economy.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that it has been praised by business groups but has been condemned by environmentalists.

All but one of the industrial sites are located in New Castle County.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - State lawmakers have given final approval to a bill opening Delaware's environmentally protected coastal zone to new heavy industry.

The bill, which easily cleared the House last week, passed the Senate on an 18-2 vote Thursday.

The legislation, supported by Democratic Gov. John Carney, establishes a permitting process for new use of 14 existing industry sites, including abandoned and polluted brownfields.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - A bill opening Delaware's environmentally protected coastal zone to new heavy industry is facing a final vote in the General Assembly.

The bill, which easily cleared the House last week, is scheduled for a Senate vote Thursday.

The legislation, supported by Democratic Gov. John Carney, establishes a permitting process for new use of 14 existing industry sites, including abandoned and polluted brownfields.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - A proposal to open Delaware's environmentally protected coastal zone to new heavy industry has cleared its first legislative hurdle.

The bill cleared a House committee Wednesday despite complaints from environmental groups and other opponents about the lack of public input.

The bill establishes a permitting process for new use of 14 existing industry sites, including abandoned and polluted brownfields.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state Supreme Court has rejected a challenge by environmentalists to an order from Delaware's former environmental secretary granting an air quality permit for a crude oil transfer station at the Delaware City oil refinery.
 
The court rejected the appeal Thursday, one day after hearing oral arguments.
 

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Environmentalists are asking the Delaware Supreme Court to overturn a judge's ruling that two state panels had no jurisdiction to consider their challenge of a state-issued permit for a crude oil transfer station at the Delaware City refinery.

The Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board determined that environmentalists lacked standing to challenge the permit, while the Environmental Appeals Board said it lacked jurisdiction.