Professional Documents
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Nov-Dec 2004 Delaware Sierra Club Newsletter
Nov-Dec 2004 Delaware Sierra Club Newsletter
Nov-Dec 2004 Delaware Sierra Club Newsletter
A Sierra Club Newsletter about Environmental Matters Important to Delaware Nov Dec 2004/Jan 2005
By Dave Keifer, Conservation Chair Premcor has reported the following dangerous and above-regulated-level releases to
DNREC: Sunday, September 26, 2004 (as much as 21,000 lbs. of hydrogen sulfide,
On Monday, November 1, the Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club submitted a request to 60,000 lbs. of methane/other pollutants escaped from a plant smokestack); Sunday,
the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) October 31, 2004 (hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, anhydrous stabilized
that a hearing be held on the application of Golder Associates for authority under the ammonia); Tuesday, November 2, 2004 (nitrous oxide); Wednesday, November 3, 2004
Subaqueous Lands Act to do borings in the Delaware River in support of the Crown (sulfur dioxide).
Landing Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal. The Chapter's position is that the Terminal is a
prohibited bulk product transfer facility under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act; the legal
Disputes between state regulators and Premcor management over air permit
processes under the Coastal Zone Act should be carried to their conclusion before test
terms may delay the implementation of major pollution control devices that will
borings to facility actual construction of the terminal area authorized.
substantially reduce refinery sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx)
On November 4 DNREC notified BP by letter that the Department must await the com- emissions. Testimony by both citizens and environmental groups, along with
pany’s application for a Delaware Coastal Zone status decision, and a the Secretary deter- the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)
mine how the facility is to be treated under Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act prior to acting on questioning of Premcor officials continued for nearly eight hours over two nights
the subaqueous lands permit application. BP had recently filed an application seeking per- of recent public hearings.
mission to conduct structural subsurface borings in the river bottom. Sec. Hughes today The Sierra Club supports efforts by DNREC to protect Delaware residents
announced that the agency has requested that British Petroleum (BP) withdraw its sub- by requiring more stringent emissions levels in these air permits; implement
aqueous lands permit application in support of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal LAER on the boilers and cap the refinery input. Also the Sierra Club recog-
proposed for Logan Township, New Jersey. In response, BP has withdrawn its application nizes the need for public participation in the permit hearing process and sup-
ports the public right to question state regulators and company officials at these
in a letter to DNREC dated Nov. 4.
hearings.
A federal consent decree requires the installation of these devices, and the
British Petroleum recently submitted a Resource Report to the Federal Energy
air permits must be issued by DNREC by November 30, 2004. Premcor is
Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning the proposed LNG terminal it would challenging DNREC on several fronts. Here are some of the key issues that
like to construct in the Delaware River opposite Claymont. Although the specific emerged during the hearings:
use cited for the proposed terminal, that of a liquid bulk product transfer facility, • The air permits include emissions limits of carbon monoxide (CO) and other
is unambiguously prohibited in Delaware code(1), and the report recognizes the pollutants. Premcor contends that these limits are not required under the
need for a decision from the State of Delaware under the Coastal Zone Act, the consent decree. Furthermore, they claim that large SO2 and NOx reductions
report does not even address the possibility that the facility could be prohibited by offset any increases in CO and other pollutants. Also, they claim that since
Delaware. Delaware is in non-attainment for NOx, it is okay to overlook CO emissions lim-
its, since we are in attainment for that. DNREC’s position is that the Clean Air
The Chapter has commented on the report: "British Petroleum {BP} and other Act and Delaware regulations justify permit inclusion of these emission limits.
• Premcor evaded questions concerning the true output of the
firms have made application to construct a LNG terminal see Premcor page 6
see Crown Landing page 7
Delaware Chapter Election Ballot for 2004 Southern Delaware Group Election Ballot for 2004 Delaware Chapter Change of Address Form
All Delaware Sierra Club members may vote in this election. Only Chapter members residing in Kent & Sussex Counties may vote in this election.
A ttach mailing label here
Please mark this ballot with your choice(s) for the Chapter Executive PPlease mark this ballot with your choice(s) for the Chapter Executive
Committee. There are 4 spots available on the committee and each Committee. There are 3 spots available on the committee and each
Sierra Club member has 4 votes. Fill in the column under “ballot one” if Sierra Club member has 3 votes. Fill in the column under “ballot one” if
you are a single member. Use both ballot one and two if you have a joint you are a single member. Use both ballot one and two if you have a joint
membership. Send the completed BALLOT BALLOT CANDIDATE
membership. Send the completed
ballot by December 10th to the:
ONE TWO (alpha order)
(Please do not photocopy or other- n n Ron Zink (Please do not photocopy or other- n n Bill Zak Please send this coupon to Sierra Club,P.O. Box
wise duplicate this ballot.) n n _____________ wise duplicate this ballot.) n n 52968, Boulder, CO 80322-2968.
As we've mobilized around the election, a few very positive things have
happened over the last two years within the Sierra Club organization. First, Join Sierra Club today
and probably most importantly, is that the effort to educate our members
or give
and the American public about the differences between the Kerry environ-
mental record and the Bush environmental record required drastically differ- a gift membership
ent and new ways of organizing our grassroots activists, and also new
methods of communication with members and the public. The second is and
that this election, more than any other event that I can remember in my life- receive a FREE
time, ignited people's passions and drove a record number of people to get
involved - people who, even after the dust has settled, will likely continue to Sierra Club
be involved.
Weekender Bag
The Sierra Club organization and the environmental movement in general
will reap the benefits of those two things for years to come. So regardless
of the outcome of the election, I say we're going to start 2005 stronger,
more organized, and more focused than we were in 2004.
M E M B E R S H I P A P P L I C AT I O N
So now I want to jump topics a bit, and I want to take this opportunity to ac
-knowledge a few people. Last month we held our fourth annual Silent Name
Auction event at The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts in Address
Wilmington, and the event would not have occurred without the dedicated City State Zip
team that worked so hard to make it happen. I'd like to thank Nancy Zink, Phone__________________________________________________________
Bill Ahlers, Marsha and Bill Holler, Jean Bauer, Ron Zink, Al Denio and
Membership Categories INDIVIDUAL JOINT
Mike Casale in particular who contributed their time in some way to the Introductory ............n n $25
event. Also a very special thanks to Andy Faver who stepped in as chapter Regular .................n n $35 ....................n n $43
staff (to fill some big shoes) and organized the heck out of everyone Supporting ..............n n $50 ....................n n $58
Contributing ............n n $100 ...................n n $108
involved. Thanks to former Governor Russ Peterson, who we were able to Life ....................n n $1000 (per person) .......n n $1250
formally recognize with a Sierra Club award, and who gave an eloquent Senior ..................n n $15 ....................n n $23
and moving speech about the importance of the 2004 Presidential election. Student ................n n $15 ....................n n $23
And last but not least, a VERY special thanks to all the item donors, and All dues include subscription to Sierra ($7.50) and chapter publications ($1).
Dues are not tax deductible.Mail to: Sierra Club,P.O. Box 52968, Boulder,
those who worked so hard to gather items for the auction. CO 80321-2968 rip No. F94QW58001
Rich Anthony* ** Lewes, DE result of poor water and air quality. It is most I could make a contribution to conservation and
Current SC Involvement: important that the Delaware Chapter increase quality-of-life initiatives. Fortunately, much of
Chapter - Conservation Committee, Land Use public awareness of the dangers of the many my work prior to retirement involved activities
Committee, Legal Committee. pollutants in our area. I realize that this is a that were supportive of good resource conser-
S. DE Group - Land Use Committee. joint effort, and I look forward to working with vation and use. However, retirement has
Previous SC Involvement: the various groups within the Sierra Club and enabled me to operate free of the constraints of
Chapter - Executive Committee [Vice Chair], also other organizations devoted to this cause. a public employee.
Chapter Representative on: The Gov.'s I have been a Sierra Club member for 2 Since joining I have served as Chair of the
Advisory Council on Planning Coordination years and have volunteered in the Wilmington Land Use Committee, Conservation Chair, and
[Livable DE] & Livable DE - Community Design office where I had the good fortune to learn member of the Executive Committee. We con-
Standards, Impact Fee, Livability Standards & from Debbie Heaton. I have been active in tinued the Chapter's work in opposition to the
Transfer of Development Rights educational programs and started an deepening of the main channel of the Delaware
Subcommittees, Monitored - DE Source Water Environmental Club in my children's school. River. We developed an action plan to fight the
Management Committee. This was an active group that educated the construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal
S. DE Group - Executive Committee [Sect]. children and also encouraged service by partici- in the Delaware River opposite Claymont. We
Current Non SC Affiliations: pating in the Adopt-A-Highway Program. I have worked with county planning organizations on
Attorney General's Task Force on Animal participated in Sierra Club service projects land-use issues. I would appreciate receiving
Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence, DE locally and out of state. your support to continue this important work in
Domestic Animal Coalition (Legislative My goals are to educate the public about the Chapter's development.
Committee), Merrietta Virden Animal the many environmental dangers in our state
Foundation (Bd. of Directors). and to increase active membership in our chap- Tim O'Connor* Dover, DE
Having utilized my recent 6-8 month hiatus ter. I hope to bring fresh ideas and increase One of the best questions you can ask a candi-
putting my life in order (health issues and new the presence of the Sierra Club in our commu- date for any office, whether it is the Sierra Club
home) my time and attention is again focused nity. or the President of the United States, is: Why
on environmental issues. The Delaware are you running for this office? This is always a
Chapter is facing challenges which include the Marsha Holler* Lewes, DE fair question and one that I have asked a num-
proposed Crown Point Gas Terminal, dumping I grew up outside of Buffalo, NY, and have a ber of candidates over the years. The reason
of byproducts from a nerve-gas neutralizing BFA from RIT in Rochester, NY. My husband, that I am running for the Executive Committee
process into the DE River, potential dredging of Bill, and I lived in Colorado for 7 years before of the Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club is to
the DE River and disposal of the soils and tox- moving to Delaware in 1984. We live in rural bring in experience on conservation campaigns
ins therein, continued air/water pollution exacer- Kent County. on both the local and national level as well as a
bated by industrial polluters and poor land use My career is as a professional graphic artist fresh outlook on battles the chapter faces. I
decisions, and a bureaucracy which has and business owner. Bill and I own Great have held almost every office in the Delaware
demonstrated little interest in rectifying these Graphics, a screen printing company in Dover. Chapter from Political Chair to Chair. These
and other environmental problems or support- I see the biggest challenge in the environ- offices have provided me with the experience
ing our Coastal Zone Act. Combating these mental community in Delaware is getting people that I need to work with the members of the
problems will place demands on the Chapter's who care to get involved. As a business owner, Chapter and our Executive Committee. Going
financial and human resources requiring the I am constantly thinking about promoting my forward I would like to help the Delaware
expansion of our activist core, critically prioritiz- business, how my artwork is perceived, and Chapter with many of its conservation cam-
ing our conservation goals, establishing a how it serves my customers. In my opinion, a paigns like the LNG terminal in Wilmington,
meaningful presence in Dover/Legislative Hall similar kind of thought process would be benefi- sprawl, horseshoe crabs, recycling, and a
and prudent management of our cash reserves. cial to this Delaware Chapter. whole host of other issues that we face in
For these reasons I am once again seeking I don't pretend to know a lot about environ- Delaware. Additionally, I have worked on a
your support for a seat on the Chapter's and S mental law or policy, but I believe the Sierra number of national campaigns like ANWR,
DE Group's Executive Committees. Club shares my philosophy about how the earth ocean issues, horseshoe crabs, public lands
and its inhabitants should be treated. What I grazing and logging in our national forest. Our
Kathleen Davis* Newark, DE would bring to the Executive Commitee is my chapter has tremendous technical experience,
I am excited to have been asked to run for a careful consideration of situations as they arise. and I would like to help our folks with advancing
position on the Executive Committee. I have these issues in a public forum. Another goal of
been a resident of Newark since 1983. I am a David R. Keifer* Dover, DE mine is to expand our outreach to the more
registered nurse and I have seen first hand the I have lived in Delaware since 1966 (plus a few than 1,500 members of the chapter through
effects of pollution on the human body. years in the late 1950's while at the University). social gatherings and an active outings pro-
Delaware's cancer rates are appalling and the My first major assignment when I came to work gram. I believe my experiences with outings,
result in many cases of environmental carcino- for the State was the Outdoor Recreation Plan, membership and conservation campaigns can
gens. I strongly support the Chapter's effort to during which I learned to appreciate the open help guide our chapter through the many bat-
fight for a clean and healthy environment. I space, the beach lands, and the wetland. This tles we will face in the future.
believe that my medical background can help appreciation has only grown over the years. I
me to address health concerns that arise as a became involved with Sierra because I thought Til Purnell** Millsboro, DE
Ron Zink* Dover, DE N 5WV\PTa KW[\[ IZM M`XMK\ML \W JM XMZ PW][MPWTL
I have been an active recruiter for the Sierra Club, and N :MKaKTIJTM[ IZM \W JM KWTTMK\ML QV I [QVOTM K]ZJ[QLM KWV\IQVMZ M`KT]LQVO OTI[[
since 2002, an organizer of monthly club meetings,
N AIZL _I[\M _QTT JM KWTTMK\ML [MXIZI\MTa WZ PIVLTML Ja \PM ZM[QLMV\
outings, and environmental events. ANWR and judicial
nominations have been some of the national activities )N\MZ \PM X]JTQK UMM\QVO[ PI^M KWVKT]LML IVL KWUUMV\[ NZWU \PM X]JTQK IZM OI\PMZML
in which I've been active. I attended the Sierra Club LZIN\ TMOQ[TI\QWV _QTT JM LM^MTWXML IVL []JUQ\\ML NWZ IK\QWV QV \PM VM`\ TMOQ[TI\Q^M [M[[QWV
Training Seminar re: the Harvard Project. With Matt
Urban, I conducted an internal audit of our chapter.
Your support for keeping me on the Executive )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ UHJDUGLQJ WKHVH PHHWLQJV FDOO RU
Committee is appreciated.
A
ther information and for reservations, contact Marsha or Thursday, November 11, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday,
call the office, 425-4911. See article this page. The Smyrna Opera House,*
December 11, 5:30 p.m.
Reyes-Alvaiado Home, Smyrna
99 Aster Way, Harrington* December 11, 2004, Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Holiday Party -
Reyes-Alvaiado home, Harrington. Bring a dish. Please Come out and see all of this year’s photo
Take a moment to call Betsy to let her contest entries on display in the beautiful
know you’ll be there. She can also call Betsy and Angel so they have a general idea of how
L
provide further information and help old Smyrna Opera House. A casual
with directions. Betsy’s number is many will be at the party - 399-3566. evening with an Italian buffet dinner will
399-3566. be served. Casual attire. Only $15. Wine
January 6, 2005, Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Social - The Lobby by the glass.
*Directions:
From R 13, take Killen’s Pond Road House, Dover. For information, call Ron at 735-8996. For reservations, contact Marsha: mar-
eastward. coontinue past the park,
then past the next 2 stop signs. Turn sha@marshas.net , home - 735-9687,
E
left into Bloomfield Drive. In less February 3, 2005, Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Potluck - Bob and office - 644-4400.
than 1 mile, turn into Bloomfield
Acres, on the left. Take the second Jean Bauer’s home, 75 Vining Run, Camden. For direc-
*From the north:
street on the left; Aster Way is at the tions, call Bauers at 698-1601. Take Rt. 1 South, exit at the North
end. 99 Aster Way is on the cul de sac Smyrna exit- Take Rt. 13 South (turn left) to
at the end of the street. The number Commerce St. Intersection (there's Wendy's
99 is on the mailbox. Meetings on the corner). Turn right. Go 2 blocks to
light, turn left on South Main. Go 1 block,
D
Conservation Committee meetings are usually held the
Proceed north on Main St. and turn left at the
third Wednesday on alternate months, 7 - 9:30 p.m., Dave Smyrna Library. The Opera House is in the
Kiefer’s home, Dover. Call the office at 425-4911 to con- same building; go through the double glass
doors and up to the third floor.
firm the date and place, and to obtain directions.
A
November 10, 2004, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Conservation
Committee
100 Reasons to Get Involved
November 16, 2004, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Executive
Reason # 18:
Committee
Enforce Environmental Laws