Nov 2005 - Jan 2006 Delaware Sierra Club Newsletter

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Delaware Sierra NewsA Sierra Club Newsletter about Environmental Matters Important to Delaware November 2005 -January 2006

Delaware Chapter100 West 10th St., Suite 1107

Wilmington, DE 19801

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWILMINGTON, DEPERMIT NO. 740

Photo: Second from left Til Purnell receiving her national Sierra Club

award from directors Bernie Zaleha (left) and Lisa Renstrom (right), and

far right Jim Steffens (former Delaware Chapter Chair now living in

Wisconsin). More photos and story page 10.

VOT

E VOT

E VOT

E VOT

E

Read the biographies on pages 6-7 and complete the ballot(s onpage 7; place ballot in a blank envelope (not supplied) inside thepre-addressed envelope (enclosed in the centerfold of this newslet-ter),* stamp it, and drop in the mail. Voila and congratulations!!

Youve voted for the Executive Committee member(s) of your choice!

Member numbe

r. To he

lp en

sure t

hat y

ou

r vot

e is count

ed, recordyour member nu

mber in the spa

ce prov

ided on the low

er lef

t corner

of the envelope. Your number is the eight-

digit set t

hat appea

rs atthe top left of you

r new

sletter label. When Al Denio, the electionmonitor, receives your ballot, he will check your number against thelist of member numbers in the chapters membership roster. Thisensures that, first, you are a member and that, second, there areno more voters than the number of members.

Mu

lt

iple voters. If you have a family membership, both adultmembers are entitled to vote. The ballot provides a second column

for the additional vote(s).

Dea

dline.Ba

llots must be postma

rked by December 3, 2005 to be count

e

d.

This election is important for your Sierra Club Delaware Chapter.Although our chapter is a small one at approximately 1,900 mem-bers, were active and growing, and the enthusiasm, good judgment,and hard work of our ExCom members provide our primary guid-

ance.*If your newsletter does not have an enclosed envelope 1. Enclose your ballot in a blank envelope.

2. Place the blank envelope into another

envelope. Put your member number in bottom

left corner and address this outer envelope to

Al Denio in box at right

3. Seal it, stamp it, mail it, and when Al receives it, hell count it.

by Jean Bauer

AN

N

UA

L EXECU

TIV

E COMMITTEE EL

ECTION !!

Time-sensitive Info

rmat

ion!

Ba

l

lots and Cand

idate Biographies, pag

e

s 6-7!

Mr. Al Denio

102 Red Pine Circle

Newark, Delaware 19711

Til Purnell receives national Sierra Club Award

at September Sierra Summit in San Francisco

Table of Contents page

VOTE! Executive Committee Electionsand Procedures 1

Til Purnell Receives National Sierra Award 1

Sierra Executive Committee Members; Committee Chairs 2

Last Letter From the Chair 2

Storm Damage and Conservation at Delaware Beaches 3Southern DE Group Update 4

More Thoughts for the Future 5

Executive Committee(s) Candidate Statements 6-7

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE(S) BALLOTS 7

Is Going Solar Right For You? 8

Thousands Protest Drilling in Artic 8

Sierra Club Goes to Court to Prevent Canal Dredging 9

Sierra Summit Story and Photos 10

Premcor/Valero:Do problems ever end with this refinery? 11

Sierra Calendar/Volunteer Treasurer Needed 12


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Chapter Office:

100 West 10th Street, Suite 1107

Wilmington, DE 19801

Phone 302-425-4911

Chapter Executive Committee

Jean Bauer 698-1601

Dick Bewick 736-1670Sallie Callanen 539-0635

Kathleen Davis 286-0642

Marsha Holler 735-9687

David Keifer 678-2712

Tim OConnor 697-7466

Matt Urban 636-0628

Chapter Appointed Officers

Chapt er Chair: Matt Urban 636-0628

Vice-Chair: Kathleen Davis 286-0642

Conserv at ion: Dav id Keifer 678-2712

Litigation: Carl Solberg 492-1225

Land Use: Carl Solberg 492-1225Anti-Pollution: Al Denio 455-0389

Outings: Jennie Egan 453-0827

Events: Marsha Holler 735-9687

Membership: Ron Zink 735-8996

N ew sl et te r: M ar le ne R ay ner 5 71 -80 97

Southern Delaware Group(SDG)

Rich Anthony 645-1732

Carrie Bennet 732-3358

Terri Usuki 436-4042

Til Purnell 945-1317

Sallie Callanen 539-0635

SDG Appointed Officers

Chair: Rich Anthony 645-1732

Conservation: Terri Usuki 436-4042

Secretary: Carrie Bennet 732-3358

Web Editor: Mike Casale

Visit us on the web:

www.delaware.sierraclub.org

Delaware Chapter andSouthern Delaware

Group Leaders

Del

awar

e Chapter Chang

e of Address For

m

Attach mailing label here

Name

New Address

City

State Zip

Membership # (see label below)

Please send this coupon to Sierra Club, P.O. Box 52968, Boulder, CO80322-2968.

Delaware Chapter Sierra Club September-October 2005 2

The Delaware Sierra News is published five times a

year by the Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club.

This publication is written and produced entirely by

volunteers. If you would like to help with its publica-

tion, please contact the editor (302-571-8097). The

deadline for materials for the next issue

(February15, 2006) is January 19, 2006.

We reserve the right to edit materials submitted

for publication. Send Materials and Letters to the

Editor to: [email protected] or the Sierra

Club Office.

Ideas expressed in the Delaware Sierra News

are those of the columnists and do not necessarily

reflect the position of the Sierra Club. While effort ismade to check for accuracy, time constraints and

limited all-volunteer staff do not allow for complete

data corroboration.

Editor: Marlene Rayner

Editorial Committee: JeanBauer, Sallie

Callanen, Mike Casale, Marsha Holler, Anne

Kirby, Doug Reppa

This newsletter was printed on recy-

cled, post-consumer paper with soy-

based ink by the Dover Post

Company, Dover, DE.

B E P A R T O F T H E A C T I O N ! ! !

Keep in touch with what is happening locally and nationally. Getinvolved by participating in sharing the environmental viewpoint!

1. Sign up for Delaware Chapter's e-mail alert list - The DelawareEnvironmental Alert List!Send an email to Matt Urban,

to be included. This list will key you intostate and national issues of interest to Delawearans.2. Visit the Sierra Club's Web site at www.sierraclub.org/takeaction,where you can sign up for the Take Action Network to send free mes-sages to your elected officials.3. For the inside story about Club conservation campaigns and howyou can help, ask for a free subscription to the bimonthly printnewsletter the Planet.Send an e-mail to [email protected] or write the office ofVolunteer and Activist Services, 85 Second Street, San Francisco,CA 94105-3441.

After 4 years as Chair of the Delaware Sierra Club chapter, its time to say goodbye, and this will be my final letter fromthe Chair column. Its been an incredibly challenging and rewarding four years, and yet its time to move on and pass the

position on to someone else. So in January after the chapter elections, the Executive Committee (Excom) will choose anew person to take the helm.

I will not be going anywhere, and will still remain a member of the Excom for the remainder of my term (and possibly

more), and will be active in the chapter as best I can. I care too much about The Sierra Club, and my friends within theDelaware Chapter to disappear, and Im sure I will continue to see many of you at chapter events.

Im stepping down for a few key reasons, the two largest of which are the impending birth of my first child (dueChristmas eve!), and my recent appointment in June as chair of a National Sierra Club Governance Committee. In the lat-ter role, Ill be working closely with the National Sierra Club Board of Directors on creating programs to improve theoperational effectiveness of the Sierra Club at all levels. Its an incredible responsibility, a huge opportunity to help theSierra Club create the next wave of the environmental movement and fulfill on its mission, and Im honored to be the onechosen to participate in such an integral way. And, of course, that experience will likely pale in comparison to the afore-mentioned challenge and joy of being a new father!

Looking back on my time as chair of the chapter, I can honestly say that it has been one of the most rewarding periods ofmy life. Ive learned a considerable amount along the way (including more than I probably ever cared to know aboutParliamentary procedures and Roberts Rules of Order!). Ive met a huge number of wonderful and committed individuals.And Ive had a number of significant accomplishments over the last four years, including writing two significant and suc-cessful grant proposals, creating fundraising events and programs like the fall Silent Auction and chapter photo contestin previous years - that brought much needed funding to the chapter, working with other key chapter leaders to create therecent Energy Challenge, and helping to and leading a number of fun outings over the years.

There have also been considerable hurdles along the way, and Ive learned quite a bit about the delicate art of reconcilingconflicting viewpoints within a volunteer organization. However, regardless of any of those hurdles (or perhaps because

of them), Im proud to report that the chapter has grown stronger over the last few years, and is evolving into an evermore capable and influential organization in the state, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.

As I wrap up this final column, Id be remiss if I didnt give thanks to two special people Debbie Heaton and JimSteffens - the two previous Chairs of our chapter. Debbie and Jim were the reason I became involved in the chaptersleadership, and Im forever grateful for their mentoring, leadership, friendship, and the example they set for me. Debbieand Jim - it was you two that opened the door for me and welcomed me into The Sierra Club, and my life is different

because of this experience. Thank you for that.

And finally, thanks to everyone Ive worked closely with over the years. There are far too many to name, but you knowwho you all are, and what you should know is that you continue to inspire me and give me hope for the future of our

world. It has truly been a privilege to know you, and to work with you to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.

All the best and I look forward to seeing you all in the future.

From the Chair, August 27, 2005By Matt Urban


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Delaware Chapter Sierra Club November 2005 3

With the recent horrific hurricane damage on the Gulf coast, there hasbeen much media coverage of improving relief and recovery efforts, butlittle if any on the matter of actions to reduce damage.

Delaware has been most fortunate. Except for a slight brush from

Agnes, there really has not been anything significant since the March1962 Noreaster. However, the globe is warming, glaciers are melting,and the sea level is rising. All of which suggest that a strategy of doingnothing because there has not been a bad experience in around fortyyears is not a good idea.

There are aerial photographs of the Delaware coast after the 62storm. The damage to the area, including what is now Route 1 and theInlet Bridge, was significant. There was also substantial damage to thecommunities along the Delaware Bay. In those days, the highway wastwo lanes and there was virtually no development between Dewey and

Bethany. Today, the level of urbanization is mind-boggling, not only onthe barrier sand spit, but the inshore areas and Long Neck.Logical control of development would suggest that measures be

taken to reduce possible negative impacts to the greatest extent possible

starting NOW. No, we do not need the Governor to appoint yet anothertask force. We do need people who have the authority to regulate landuse, and the people who control infrastructure and the environment totake the matter of storm damage into account when making their deci-sions.

Given what we have all seen of storm damage, is it rational to con-clude that the proposed and financially stressed Indian River Inlet Bridgecould actually stand after something like Katrina or Rita? Surely there willbe consultants saying its foundations could not be eroded or it could notbe demolished by wind. Many of these types of bridges exist, but areany as exposed on a sand spit? Would it not be more cost effective tobuild inexpensive bridges and replace them when they are washed out?

Are the protections of the dunes adequate given todays levels ofdevelopment?

Are the regulations governing private development along the Oceanand inland bays adequate to protect against loss? Are set backs fromstreams adequate?

There are Federal flood plain maps, but are they adequate givenwhat happened along the Gulf coast?

The Sierra Club has an interest in this because many of the areas thatare subject to storm damage are environmentally sensitive. Is it toomuch to suggest that the beach lands and wetlands be protected, and indoing so reduce storm damage by preventing development and by

buffering other development?Perhaps farmland near the bays and shoreline should be considered

for preservation to reduce future storm impacts rather than spendingfarmland preservation money on lands on the western side of the statethat may never be threatened by development.

As in other areas, the State government needs to get its act together.Hopefully in a way that results in something other than a gubernatorialtask force or a consultant contract.

STORM DAMAGE AND BEACH CONSERVATIONby Dave Keifer, edited by Mike Casale

Burtons sland after 1962 noreaster: Note lack of development thenTower Road after 1962 noreaster: These towers today are at the sea edge

Dolles and Rehoboth Boardwalk after 1962 noreasterAll Photos courtesy of DNREC


4/12Delaware Chapter Sierra Club November 2005 4

The SDG is developing an informal coalition of environmental and civic

groups in Kent and Sussex Counties. One focus of the coalition will be topromote public awareness of environmental and environmentally related

issues, such as air and water quality (e.g., pollution) and land use (e.g.,

comprehensive land-use plan revisions, certifications and supporting ordi-

nance revisions, etc.).

To facilitate the goal of informational public outreach, the SDG has joinedtwo other organizations in establishing a web site that will focus on Kent

and Sussex County issues. An upcoming press release will announce the

introduction of DE-Enviro. If you have a concern that you would like to

discuss or are a member of an organization that you believe would like to

become involved, please forward contact information to

.

Together with other organizations, the SDG is exploring the establishment

of a Baykeeper-Waterkeeper position for the Kent and Sussex area. The

position would function in conjunction with the existing Delaware

Riverkeepers presence. If you are interested in assisting in this effort,

please contact a member of the SDG ExComm.

With Comprehensive Land Use Plan revisions having just begun in some

areas and being on the horizons in others, the SDGs Conservation

Committee is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Groups

Land Use Subcommittee. The committee will be addressing county and

municipal activities, and opportunities for involvement exist regardless of

past experience or expertise. If you are affected by ill-conceived and

poorly planned growth, or are simply concerned about promoting responsi-

ble and sustainable growth, contact one of the following SDG ExComm

members:

Rich Anthony, Chair(302) (302) 645 1732

Sallie Callanen, Vice Chair (302) 539 0635

Terri Usuki, Conservation Chair (302) 436 - 3653

Southern Delaware Group (SDG) Update

By Rich Anthony, Chairman, Southern Delaware Group

Coalition Building and Public Outreach

DE-Enviro A New Resource

Baykeeper Waterkeeper Position

Southern DE Group Conservation Committee



Good News First

It is time for an update on the progress

of the Wilmington waterfront. I was asked torepresent the Sierra Club on the Urban Wildlife

Refuge Committee of the Riverfront

Development Corporation. This goes back toabout 1999 (holy cow, that was during the lastcentury!)

The Refuge covers about 225 acres of

wetlands, mostly south of the Shipyard Shops

area. The wetlands were in terrible condition. Irecall one cleanup effort when we removed all

kinds of trash including old tires, appliances, amattress, etc. Some debris had washed down

the river but clearly much illegal dumping hadoccurred. There were also chemical pollution

hot spots resulting from old industrial activi-ties.

DNREC has been heavily involved in

the cleanup and restoration efforts. During thepast year, you may have seen the large excavat-

ing equipment at work in the marsh near I-95.

The goal has been to reopen the marsh to theriver so that the natural tidal flows can occurand so that fish and other aquatic species can

thrive.

I attended an update presentation by theRiverfront Development Corporation on

October 19. It was a very impressive eventwhich included a historical video of the

progress made. Former Governor Russ

Peterson was there with his wife June. TheRefuge and planned Education Center arenamed in his honor. The Education Center

building will be under construction come

spring.

Also being planned is an elevated trailthrough the marsh so that visitors can observe

birds, fish, and critters up close. I predict that

this will be a major attraction for families in theDelaware area and hope that many of you will

become volunteer nature guides when the

Refuge opens.

When I recall the Wilmington waterfrontduring 1962-64 when I was employed as a

chemist by duPont, it was a depressing scene.

It was an area of decay and pretty much offlimits as far as personal safety was concerned.

Today the area has changed dramatically for thebetter. I predict the Russell Peterson Urban

Wildlife Refuge will soon become the crown

jewel of Wilmingtons waterfront.

DNREC New Source Review Working Group

I have been representing the Sierra Clubon this committee for the last couple of years.

Gene Pettingill of DNREC is serving as Chair,

representing the Air Quality ManagementSection. Our mandate is to modify DNRECRegulation 25 (to become 1125) to be the same

as EPA NSR Reforms, or to propose a differentapproach that is at least as stringent as the EPA

proposal. Our deadline is 1/2/06.

We have been meeting every three

weeks for 2 hours or more. The industrial folkswant maximum flexibility and room to expand

or increase output. The environmentalists wantto keep DNREC from being too generous. I

have learned a lot at these meetings and have

more respect for the DNREC representatives.

At our October 19 meeting, Kathleen

Anderson from EPA announced that a July courtdecision may make our plan unacceptable! Yes,

we were indeed shocked. I can hardly wait for

the next meeting.

Patience is a Virtue

In our June-August issue, I wrote about

my frustration with DNREC regarding a hugepollution release last year (9/25/04) at the

Delaware City Refinery, then owned byPremcor. They released about 60,000 pounds

of methane, a greenhouse gas, plus 21,000pounds of deadly hydrogen sulfide. I continue

to wait for word of the penalty to be paid.Apparently, it is a slow process. The pollution

report works its way up through the DNREC

chain-of-command. Then it goes to theAttorney Generals office in the JusticeDepartment. Of course, the lawyers have to be

involved and they bill by the hour. Over a yearhas passed since the release and Premcor has

not had to pay a dime. I shall continue to makeprobing phone calls. Perhaps the Department

of Justice lawyers are tied up with problems inour prison system.

Other Problems

We still need to pay attention to theduPont Edgemoor dioxin pile. A DNREC

Public Hearing is coming up in mid-November.

There is also the pending plan by duPont totreat VX nerve gas waste at their Chambers

Works plant, the remnants to go into theDelaware River. Finally, duPont faces a major

EPA threat over its C8 contamination of water

supplies and people. The highly fluorinatedcompound used to process Teflon is called C8.It is presently hauled by truck from the plant in

West Virginia to the Chambers Works for dis-posal. Again, products end up in the Delaware

River. Yes, Delaware does have a few prob-lems and the Sierra Club is trying to make a

difference.

M o r e T h o u g h t s f o r t h e F u t u r e i n D e l a w a r eby Al Denio



Rich Anthony* Lewes, DE

Current SC Involvement: Chapter - Conservation Committee, Legal Committee and

Legislative Committee; S. DE Group - S. DE Group Executive Committee [Chairman];

Previous SC Involvement: Chapter - Executive Committee [Vice Chair]; Chapter

Representative on the Gov.'s Advisory Council on Planning Coordination [Livable DE];

S. DE Group - Executive Committee

Some of the challenges facing our Chapter include, without limitation: [1] our

involvement in supporting the integrity of DE's Coastal Zone Act; and [2] the ongoing

issues impacting air and water pollution from myriad commercial, industrial and resi-

dential sources which have resulted in 90+% of Delaware's waters being impaired and

our air quality failing to meet the standards of the Clean Air Act for many years; and [3]

the ongoing solid waste saga; and [4] a renewed thrust by some to once again promote

incineration.

In addition to maintaining the defensive actions required in monitoring andcombating the foregoing issues there is a need to establish proactive programs promot-

ing environmentally conscious and supportive legislation designed not simply to prevent

"further" degradation of our finite resources but to "reclaim" our air and water quality, a

major difference. The promotion of meaningful alternative fuel sources legislation for

transportation and power generation and an examination of DE's overburdened infra-

structure, [e.g. wastewater treatment and stormwater runoff containment and "treatment"

systems] are also issues which need to be addressed. In essence, our Chapter needs to

develop a program promoting legislative reform which could provide the answers to

many of our environmental problems and, to that end, the Chapter would need to estab-

lish a substantial presence in Dover/Legislative Hall

For these reasons I am seeking your support for a seat on the Chapter'sExecutive Committee.

Carrie Bennett** Frankford

I am running as an incumbent for a position on the Southern Delaware Executive

Committee where I have served for the last several years in the office of Secretary. As a

resident of southern Delaware for 27 years, I have worked as an educator and an

agribusiness owner on our family farm, Bennett Orchards.

Throughout the past four years, I have participated in several land use and Inland Bays

Pollution public hearings. The natural beauty of lower Delaware provides a beautiful

backdrop for our lives here. We recently participated in a Sierra Club kayak outing onthe Assawoman Canal. It made me proud to be associated with the Sierra Club.

Dick Bewick* Dover

I have served two terms (4 years) on our Chapters ExCom and I am seeking re-elec-

tion for one more term as there are still many unresolved environmental issues in

Delaware which I believe my work experience can help our ExCom to resolve. I

remain very concerned about the ongoing and even increasing industrial pollution, our

unresolved power plant pollution, our land development sprawl, the BP threat to create a

potentially very dangerous LNG terminal in our Coastal Zone, the duPont plan to treat

US Armys deadly VX disposal into our DE River,the Corps of Engineers continuing

desire and intent to deepen the DE River by 5 feet creating a disposal of potentiallycontaminated materials on various DE sites,the greatly unresolved solid waste disposal

issues created by the DE Solid Waste Authority and such governmental actions and

inactions may become the most serious environmental disaster facing our State, the lack

of adequate responsiveness to expressed public concerns by the Solid Waste Authority,

DNREC, DelDOT and all levels of government. I believe I can contribute to the by

helping our ExCom properly address these issues.

My government experience includes all levels of government. I retired from

the US Army Reserves, from the State as a high level transportation official who is

appalled at their current total lack of fiscal restraint, have served in both the N.C. and

Kent County Planning Commissions, from the Kent County Sewer Advisory Board and

the Kent County Board of Assessment, and from 3 terms as an elected Dover City

Councilman. From all of these I gained knowldge of the various levels of government

as well as the various officials involved in the decison making process.

During my four years on the ExCom, I have been involved in many of the

Chapter operations, but concentrating on the issues before the Chapters Conservation

Committee. During that time I have served as Chair of that Conservation Committee,

the Anti-Pollution Committee, Chapter rep for the Ag Land & Forest Preservation, and

various other State related activities. I took the National SC training program for

Personnel Managenment and ever since have served on our Chapters Personnel

Committee. If re-elected I plan to continue practicing Chapter fiscal restraint along with

working closely with other ExCom and Committee members to increae Chapter mem-

bership and funding by providing worthwhile Chapter Programs and goals. Thank youfor your continued support.

Sallie Callanen ** Ocean View

As an active member in the So. Delaware Group since 1998; I've had the privilege to

serve as the Chair for 2 years and have served on the ExCom for 6 years. I've also

served on the Conservation & ExCom Committees for Delaware Chapter for the past 2

years. The Assawoman Canal Dredging Project & Beach erosion at the public's Cape

Henlopen State Park have been two major issues of my involvement. It is my hope to

continue participating in those issues pertaining to Conservation and environmental pro-

tection.

Jay Cooperson * Wilmington

Architect and planner in private practice in Wilmington. First joined the Sierra

Club in the 60's in Philadelphia and was a charter member of the Delaware Group (now

chapter) when the national authorized its formation in 1969. Have been a member of

the Executive and the Conservation committees. On behalf of the chapter, served on the

Delaware Tomorrow Commission and the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Delaware

Estuary Program. Familiar with land use and related issues through my professional

work. Testified and/or written position papers on behalf of the chapter on a number of

issues ranging from the Keystone Co-generation Plant to the New Castle County Unified

Development Code.This chapter has benefited from a succession of hard working and effective

leaders for several years. I would like to see their efforts to increase member participa-

tion strengthened. Delaware is confronted by broad and amorphous concerns such as

suburban sprawl and environmental justice and by more focused issues such as the pro-

posed siting of a liquified natural gas terminal in New Jersey with a pier extending into

this state. The chapter's efforts to effect change in the policies underlying environmental

failures as well as the taking of action on specific threats needs more, and more active

work, by our own members, and cooperation with other organizations whose goals are

similar.

Lorri Fencer*. Pike Creek My name is Lorri Fencer. I am a life long Delaware resident who works full time as a

CPA, am married, have one 12 year old daughter and am an avid runner who will be

participating in the Boston marathon in April 2006.

I became a member of the Sierra Club in early 2003 when Motiva and DNREC

agreed that refinery sulfur dioxide could be dumped in the Delaware river rather than

captured by expensive pollution equipment required by a federal consent decree.

Outraged citizens protested at public hearings, forcing Motiva and DNREC to abort this

plan. Attending these hearings and seeing a positive result from public involvement

V O T E F O R D E L AWA R E S I E R R A E X E C U T I V E C O M MI T T E E C A N D I D A T E She candidates and statements for both the Statewide Delaware Chapter* and the regional Southern Delaware Group** are listed alphabeticallybelow. Both elections will take write-in votes also. Please take a few minutes to read about the candidates and complete your ballot(s).Southern

Delaware Group members must file 2 ballots. Remember write-in candidates are also accepted.All ballots must be received before the December 3rd deadline! Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.



*Delaware Chapter Election Ballot for 2005All Delaware Sierra Club members may vote in this election.

Please mark this ballot with your choice(s) for the Chapter Executive Committee.

There are 4 spots available on the committee and each Sierra Club member has 4

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 membership. Send the completed ballot in a

plain envelope first and then

into the envelope enclosed

with this newsletter. Put your

membernumber in the space

providedon this envelope.

Return by December 3rd to:

Mr. Al Denio

102 Red Pine Circle


(Please do not photocopy orotherwise duplicate this ballot.)

**Southern Delaware Group Election Ballot for 2005Only Chapter members residing in Kent & Sussex Counties may vote in this election.

Please mark this ballot with your choice(s) for the Chapter Executive

Committee. There are two spots available on the committee and each Sierra

Club member has two 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 membership.

Send the completed ballot in a plain envelope first and then into the envelope

enclosed with this newsletter. Put your membernumber in the space provide-

don this envelope. Return by December 3rd to:

Mr. Al Denio102 Red Pine Circle


(Please do not photocopy orotherwise duplicate this ballot.)

BALLOT BALLOT

ONE TWO CANDIDATE

n n Rich Anthony

n n Dick Bewick

n n Jay Cooperson

n n Lorri Fencer

n n Marsha Holler

n n Chad Tolman

n n Ron Zink

n n _________________

BALLOT BALLOT

ONE TWO CANDIDATE

n n Carrie Bennett

n n Sallie Callanen

n n _____________

really made a big impact on me.

After reading Al Denios Sierra Club newsletter article recruiting members for

DEs Sierra Club Anti-Pollution Committee, I got involved and became a member of a

Citizen Advisory (CAP) at the refinery. The CAP meets monthly with refinery manage-

ment. Sierra Club representation on the CAP is important not only because it is good for

adversarial figures to sit down face to face, but also because it provides information

about the refineryits processes, products and equipment. This information has helped

me to more effectively challenge and question various air permits that DRNEC issues

for the refinery. By asking questions at a public hearing last year for a federal air per-

mit, I became part of a process that led to DNREC posting preliminary permits onlinefor easier viewing by the public.

I would like to continue my involvement and become a member of the

Executive Committee. I firmly believe education, information and an involved public

can influence outcomes on the environment. I have seen it happen.

Marsha Holler* Dover

2005 is the first year I have served on Excom. In that time, I have become familiar with

the workings of the Delaware Chapter and the dynamics of the people who are active in

this Chapter. From my perspective, theres an excellent group of individuals who are

dedicated to conservation and behind-the-scenes monitoring of environmental issues.

These individuals are the backbone of the Sierra Club.

Where I see a need in this Chapter is more outreach to let our members and the public

know what we are about. This is the area where I can contribute. I still, along with my

husband Bill, manage two businesses and time constrains us all. But theres an important

purpose to our Chapter that I can help to guide so I would be honored to continue to

serve on Excom.

Chad Tolman* Wilmington

I was trained as a physical chemist and spend most of my career (31 years) in

chemical research at the DuPont Experimental Station. Among other projects, I worked

on the oxidation of toxic organic compounds in industrial wastewater. I taught chem-

istry courses at Del Tech and the U of D, including one in environmental chemistry. I

then worked in Washington for five years, first at the National Science Foundation

(NSF) and then at the National Research Council (NRC). While at NSF I served as a

volunteer on a committee of the NRC, which oversees the destruction of the armys

stockpile of chemical weapons, including VX. I was then hired to work at the NRC

Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology as a program officer on studies of air

pollution, including air emissions from power plants, vehicles, and concentrated animal

feeding operations. Since retiring I have become very active in addressing issues of

energy and climate change with the Green Committee of the Del Academy of Science,

the Advocacy Committee of the Del Nature Society, the U of D, and an interdenomina-

tional group, The Coalition for Climate Change Study and Action (C3SA), which

meets monthly at the First Unitarian Church in Wilmington.

Though I have been a member of the Sierra Club for more than 40 years and

have been on a number of outings, I hadnt participated actively in chapter activities

until I went to the Sierra Summit 2005 in San Francisco as a delegate-at-large from the

Delaware chapter. I found the meeting very inspiring, especially the speeches by Al

Gore and Robert Kennedy, Jr. I was very pleased that the delegates chose energy andclimate change as the Number 1 priority for the club, since I think that these issues are

the most important challenges facing our society this century. If elected I would like to

work on energy policy and climate change at the local and national levels, recruiting

new members and getting them involved, informing the public, networking with other

organizations that share our concerns, and improving the effectiveness of the club in

advocacy and policy change.

Ron Zink* Dover

The driving force for the next stage of Sierra Club development will be the dynamics

flowing from the Summit. I was privileged to attend the Summit along with five other

Delaware Chapter members and believe that I have the vision to assist the chapter obtaintheirs.. During the past year I have personally been preparing myself to serve.

Recruiting, hosting, assisting with outings, working with other members to improve

internal communications.

On the horizon and one of the more exciting activities is the upcoming viewing

of Kilowatt Ours at the Delaware film festival. I met the national director of film festi-

vals at the Summit. She was most impressed with the film and has booked it with

Delawares fall Film Fest in Rehobeth.

Additionally, The Energy Program outlined for the city of Dover is moving

cautiously foreword. It could have far reaching implications. These are some of the

projects which I have worked on for the past several months.

Into the future I would hope that we could devise a fund raising program to

include special gifts, a mass appeal, special events, and inclusion in the united fund. I

would hope that we could become more of an organization which would ask those

whose interest are the same or perhaps counter to ours: what can we do to help.A seat

on Excom would help me expedite these ideas and programs. I would appreciate your

vote and support.



Thousands converge in Washington, DCagainst drilling at Arctic Wildlife Refuge

Members of the Sierra Club of Delaware were among the thousands ofAmericans that converged on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol forArctic Refuge Action Day on September 20. The rally was the culmina-tion of a summer-long, nationwide campaign by a coalition of groupsdedicated to preserving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in

Northeastern Alaska. Speakers at the rally included religious, NativeAmerican, and political leaders, such as Senator John Kerry, D-MA, pic-tured.

Following the rally, participants swarmed Capitol Hill to encouragetheir representatives to oppose drilling in ANWR. For Delawares part,Sen. Biden and Representative Castle, (through legislative assistants)reiterated their opposition to Arctic drillingat least on principle.However, neither committed to opposing a budget bill that wouldinclude drilling in this pristine wilderness.

For more information, visit www.arcticrefugeaction.org.

Is Going Solar Right for You?

Story and Photo by Doug Reppa

by James Reill

To see if solar energy (photovoltaic variety) makes sense for you, you

can visit the website www.nrel.gov and search for the program

PVWATTS. This program will enable you to determine approximately

how much electricity you can expect to obtain from a photovoltaic sys-tem, by the month and for the year. It also computes the dollar value of

this energy, using a cost per kilowatt hour provided by you, or a default

value.

PVWATTS version 1 is very easy to use, especially when you

employ the default values for the various system parameters. Of course,

the more precisely you can specify these parameters, the more accurate

the results. For example, for our area the default value given for the cost

of electricity was 7.7 cents per kilowatt hour. Our last bill, however,

gave an effective cost of 9.7 cents per kWh.

When we ran this program for our home in North Wilmington,

using only the default values, we found that we could expect to obtain,

from a typical 4 kW system in our location, a grand total of 4911 kWh

per year, or about 41% of our annual electrical usage. The value of this

much energy was given as $378.15.

In a second run, using more precise figures for array tilt (for us,

the pitch of the roof), array azimuth (for us, the direction the roof faces),

and the present cost of electricity, we obtained the result of a yearly total

of 4494 kWh, with a value of $435.92. The differences are due to the

less-than-optimal conditions at the site, and the use of our actual cost-

figure, rather than the state average. All things considered, the differ-

ences are not huge.

At $6-$8 per Watt, installed, such a system would cost $24,000-

$48,000 ($12,000-$24,000 if it qualified for the full 50% rebate still

available. (The cost-range is from the consumers guide listed in the ref-

erences; the upper figure of $8 was mentioned by a local installer in a

phone consultation.) The payback time even for the lowest figure is

about 27.5 years, more than the lifetime of the system. Of course, it is

unlikely in the extreme that electric utility rates will remain constant forvery long! For the moment, we can say that going solar is righteous but

very costly up front- a great project for an idealistic person with a spare

$10 K or so.

P.S. As a check, we contacted some local photovoltaic installation con-

tractors and gave them the pertinent information about our home and our

electrical usage. We are still awaiting their replies.

REFERENCES

Website: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS/

(Or just go to www.nrel.gov and search.)

List of contractors: http://www.delaware-energy.com/rinc-photo.htm

Publications: A Consumers Guide: Get Your Power from the Sun, National

Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington,

DC 20585 (DOE/GO-102003-1844) [Available online:

More about Energy Saving.....

Just in time for the holidays, purchase a beautiful 12

month wall calendar for $11.95 + $2 shipping or a weekly

engagement calendar for only $12.95 + $2 shipping.

Checks can be made out to the Sierra Club and sent to thechapter office at 100 West 10th Street Suite 1107,

Wilmington, DE 19801.

2006 Sierra Club Calendars released

! ! ! ! G r e a t G i f t s ! ! ! !

For any questions, please contact Andy Faver at the

Sierra Club office 302-425-4911.

D l L i l ' C l i f h A D d S i d B U l f l



The Mid-Atlantic Environmental Law Center filed suit in the DelawareChancery Court on October 20th on behalf of the Sierra Club DelawareChapter seeking temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive reliefto block the potentially imminent dredging of the Assawoman Canal inSussex County by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Control (DNREC). The stated intention of DNREC tocommence dredging the 4-mile canal comes despite a May 2005Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) decision in Sierra Club's favorwhich required a specifically designed cost-benefit analysis as a pre-con-dition to permit approval.

DNREC's decision to dredge relies upon Section 81 of the June 2005Bond Bill, in which the Delaware General Assembly attempted to over-ride the administrative appeals process and its outcome by declaring thatthe "benefits exceed the costs" of the Assawoman project and directingDNREC to begin dredging.

"This lawsuit seeks to protect the integrity of every citizen's right toappeal the decisions of state government," said Ken Kristl, an attorney forthe Center and counsel to Sierra Club. "DNREC's actions violate statelaw, and the unconstitutional intervention of Section 81 does not excuseDNREC from complying with the law and its own regulations."

The Assawoman Canal links Little Assawoman Bay to Indian River Bayand is currently of a shallow depth that permits only canoeing and kayak-ing, which has been enjoyed for years by Sierra Club members andothers. Since acquiring the canal from the federal government, DNREChas been interested in dredging the Canal in order to make it navigablefor power boats.

"We have been fighting to preserve the quiet beauty of this Canal formore than five years," said David Keifer, conservation chair of the SierraClub Delaware Chapter. "If DNREC follows the law and conducts a truecost-benefit analysis, there's no way this dredging is justified. It'soutrageous that the legislature would interfere to erase our Appeals Boardwin." "The legislature made the rules, now they must play by them,"Keifer added.

The suit alleges that DNREC must be restrained from dredging because:1) it is prohibited by the Delaware Subaqueous Lands Act from dredgingwithout a validly issued permit; 2) dredging without a validly issued permit violates Sierra Club's due process rights by nullifying its successful

appeal to the EAB; and dredging in reliance on the unconstitutionalSection 81 of the Bond Bill also deprives the Club of due process. Thelegislature's maneuver is unlawful because it: violates constitutional sepa-ration of powers doctrine by intervening in and overturning an essentiallylawful judicial function of the EAB; the Bond Bill violates a Delawareconstitution prohibition on multiple subjects within a single bill; and theBill fails to alter the Subaqueous Lands Act in order to remove the EAB'sauthority to require an appropriate cost-benefit analysis.

Along with a Complaint seeking declaratory relief, the Center has alsofiled a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order, to halt the dredgingduring the pendency of the case, arguing that Sierra Club would beirreparably harmed if the dredging were allowed to proceed before thecase could be heard on the merits.

Sierra Club is also represented in the matter by Wilmington attorneyAlbert M. Greto.

D e l a w a r e L e g i s l a t u r e ' s C l e a r i n g o f t h e A s s a w o m a n D r e d g e S a i d t o B e U n l a w f u l

by Michael D. Fiorentino, Mid-Atlantic Environmental Law CenterPhotos: Marc Schweitzer,

Photographer for the

Assawaoman Canal kayak

trip

Photo Left:

Sierra members gather for

Sunday, September 25th

Assawoman Canoe Tour/Trip

Photo Below:

Members enjoying the day



Sierra Club members from every state attended theSierra Summit in San Francisco in early September.Many Sierra Club's members also attended from

Delaware. Those attending from the state were MattUrban, Chapter Chair; Kathleen Davis, Chapter Vice-Chair; Ron Zink (member); Tim OConnor (ExCom mem-ber); Jenny Egan (Outings Chair); and Chad Tolman(Chapter-at-large delegate).

Sierra Summit 2005 brought several thousandClub leaders and members together in San Francisco forthree days of speakers, workshops, an exposition floor,and a direction-setting process to give grassroots leaders

a collective voice in charting the Clubs future. There wasmore going on than any one person could experience --plenary speeches by Gore, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., andArianna Huffington; master speakers like chef AliceWaters and green architect Bill McDonough; comedyfrom Bill Maher, panels on creative organizing and camping withkids, a climbing wall, a cooking stage, the Green Dollhouse proj-ect; test drives of hybrid and fuel cell cars; 100 Sierra Showcasedisplays; a film festival; author book signing; outings. More than5,000 people participated. Even John Muir appeared live!

After six months of chapter and group meetings leading upto the Summit, 700 delegates deliberated for four hours onThursday and four more on Saturday. Recording their votes onwireless keypads that looked like oversized garage door openers,they chose Building a New Energy Future as their grassroots rec-ommendation for the Clubs top priority over the next five years.

The other top priorities identified by delegates wereBuilding Vibrant, Healthy Communities, Defending Federal

Lands/Public Waters, and Protecting People and the Planet fromPollution.

Echoing Gores opening refrain about the people perishingwithout vision, Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope asked the

delegates on the last day to take the message and vision from theSummit home.

There are more than 750,000 of your friends and neighborswho are also members in Sierra Club. Inspired by nature, we worktogether to protect our communities and the planet. The Club isAmerica's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environ-mental organization, donors, and benefactors.

Sierra Members Benefit from Sierra Summit and Direction Setting for the Future

Photos courtesy of Matt Urban

Left: Sierra delegates listening to presentation byFormer Vice President Al Gore who kicked off

Sierra Summit 2005 with a powerful speech

wrapped around the Biblical theme, When there

is no vision, the people perish, and urged Sierra

Club members to make fighting global warming

a moral cause.

Below left to right: Til Purnell, Sierra Award

recipient; Jim Steffens, former DelawareChair, now living in Wisconsin; and Debbie

Heaton, former every job in Delaware Sierra,

now active with national Sierra.

by Marlene Rayner

story partially condensed from



Ownership of the Delaware City Refineryhas once again changed for the third timesince 1998. In early September Valero EnergyCorporation and Premcor completed an $8 bil-lion merger.

So far Valero is working to meet require-ments imposed by a legally binding consentdecree imposed on the refinery by the federaland state governments in 2001 for air pollutionoffenses. The decree requires the refinery toinstall and operate major pollution controlequipment (PCUP) that will substantiallydecrease refinery air pollutants, namely sulfurdioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOX). The

primary components of the PCUP (which has

two phases) are regenerative wet gas scrubbers(WGS) to capture and recycle SO2 on two refin-ing units; selective non-catalytic reduction(SNCR) to reduce NOX emissions; and cokestorage.

Progress continues, however, issues remain.Here is where we stand on both phases.Phase I:

WGS construction must be complete by6/30/06 and has started for the coker, a refining

unit. SNCR installation is on target for11/30/05 as required. However, issues remainon the air permits issued by the stateDepartment of Natural Resources andEnvironmental Control (DNREC) on 11/30/04.Some of these issues are capacity limits and

boiler control. DNREC and Valero continuenegotiations to avoid litigation. The units affect-ed units by these permits are: the package boil-ers and the sulfur recovery area. The boilers

will provide the steam essential for WGS opera-tions. However, refinery officials are still eval-uating whether these boilers are necessary or ifexisting refinery power sources will suffice.The sulfur recovery area will capture the SO2,which will be recycled and sold.Phase II:

Key components are the WGS on anotherrefining unit, the cat cracker, and storage ofcoke, a coker byproduct. Valero has objected toDNRECs inclusion of a coke burn rate of56,000 LB/HR for cat cracker in the WGS air

permit. The refinery does not want any limitson the rate or at least a limit of 71,000 LB/HR.DNREC feels 56,000 LB/HR burn rate is neces-sary to limit the release of other pollutants. ThisWGS must be operational by 12/31/06.

All issues are resolved on new coke storageprocedures. Daily coke production will increase

from 1,880 to 2,500 tons per day once the PCUP becomes effective. Current procedures for cokestorage and handling are truly incredible. No

big surprise that particulate emissions hereexceed state air quality standards.

Pneumatic chutes move the coke out of thecoker to a storage silo. Then a covered conveyor

belt system transports the coke internally to beused as a refinery power source or externally forindustrial sale. The refinery at one point waswetting the coke with oil to contain dust on the

belts.At the end of the conveyor system, the coke

to be sold externally falls down chute to an out-door area. Unbelievably enough, bulldozers

move the coke into an large outdoor pile sur-rounded on three sides by an 25 foot high earth-en berm. A 50,000 square foot warehouse with

potential to contain 22,000 tons of the coke will be constructed in this outdoor area. The truckswill be loaded with the coke inside the ware-house. Moisture control procedures will beimplemented in the warehouse along with enclo-sures (baghouses) at various points in the con-veyor system.

FutureThe Sierra Club will continue to monitor the

deadline and permits under the Consent Decree.As a final note, the DNREC online

Environmental Release Notification System list-ed two major hazardous refinery releases requir-ing public notification: 10/25/05-hydro gen sul-fide; hydrogen cyanide (anhydrous, stabilized)and ammonia (anhydrous). On 10/20/05 therewas a major release of sulfur dioxide. This sys-

tem did not list amounts released but providedinformation concerning the hazards associatedwith these chemicals. For example, exposure tovery high concentrations of hydrogen sulfidecan cause immediate death and small quantitiesafter very short exposure may result in perma-nent injuries or death. Hydrogen sulfide actsdirectly on the nervous system resulting in

paralysis of respiratory centers. Ammoniavapors cause irritation of eyes and respiratorytract and can be fatal if inhaled. Contact maycause burns to skin and eyes.

Hydrogen cyanide is toxic and extremelyhazardous. It may be fatal if inhaled orabsorbed through the skin. Initial odor may beirritating and deaden you sense of smell

Premcor/Valero: Do Problems With This Refinery Ever End?by Lorri Fencer


12/12Delaware Chapter Sierra Club September/October 2005 8

S o c i a l E v e n t s

November 12, 12:30 p.m., Rehoboth Beach Film Festival,Kilowatt Ours. Festival schedule: www.rehobothfilm.com

December 1, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Social, the Lobby House,Dover. For information call Ron at 735-8996.

December 10, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Holiday Festat theSchweitzer home in Fox Hall, Dover. Bring a dish to share.

Please contact Marcia and Marc so they have a general ideaof how many will be at the party - [email protected] or

412-5678.

January 5, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Social, the Lobby House,Dover. For information, call Ron at 735-8996.

M e e t i n g s

Executive CommitteeExCom meetings are scheduled at St. Pauls Episcopal

Church, Old North Road, Camden, at 7 p.m. on the third

Wednesdays of alternate months, as follows:November 9, 2005

January 18, 2006

Contact Matt Urban, [email protected] or 636-0628, forfurther information.

Conservation CommitteeConservation Committee meetings are usually held thethird Wednesday on alternate months, 7 - 9:30 p.m., Dave

, 10 4 8

193 ,

Call the office at 425-4911 to confirm the date and place, andto obtain directions.

S. Delaware Group Executive CommitteeJanuary 9, 7 p.m. ExCom reorganizational meeting, LewesPublic Library

March 20, 7 p.m. Conservation Committee. Contact TerriUsuki at 436-3653 for location and directions

April 24, 7 p.m. General Membership Meeting. Location to beannounced.

NOVEMBER,

DECEMBER

2005,

JANUARY

2006

C

A

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N

D

A

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8

193

HelpWanted

The Chapter needs a volunteer

to serve as treasurer.

Duties include paying the Chapter's bills, recordingtransactions, and reporting to the Chapter and

National Organizations. Experience with Quickbooks

is helpful but not necessary. The Current treasurer will

work closely with the new person to transition into the

role. Interested? Contact Terri Tipping at

T t i p p i n g @ g u n n i p . c o m .

RSVP: Call Marcia and Marc at 412-5678 or e-mail [email protected].

Nov 2005 - Jan 2006 Delaware Sierra Club Newsletter

Documents