In anticipation of that meeting I looked up the SEU’s authorizing legislation to see what their actual responsibilities are.
I mean, is the SEU really supposed to be preventing the state from moving forward with vetted wind power projects?
CHAPTER 80. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter II. The Delaware Energy Act§ 8051.
The General Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) An adequate, reliable, and continuous supply of energy is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this State and to the sustained growth of the State’s economy;
(2) Shortages of non-renewable energy resources could threaten the reliable supply of energy in the State;
(3) Inefficient energy consumption leads to increased air pollution from traditional means of producing energy, which may be significantly mitigated by the development of efficiency programs and alternative energy resources;
(c) It is the purpose and intent of the General Assembly:
(5) To reduce, to the maximum extent possible, the environmental consequences of energy generation and use in the State;
(7) To encourage and ensure full and effective public participation in the formulation and implementation of a state energy plan. (74 Del. Laws, c. 38, § 1.)
§ 8052. Definitions.
(3) “Renewable energy technology” or “alternative energy technology” means and includes any of the following machinery, equipment, or real property:
a. Hydroelectric generators, located at existing dams or in free-flowing waterways, and related devices for water supply and control, and converting, conditioning, and storing the electricity generated;
b. Wind equipment, required to capture and convert wind energy into electricity or mechanical power, and related devices for converting, conditioning and storing the electricity produced;
It is pretty obvious that according to Delaware Code, the SEU should be working its ass off to try and find a way to make the Blue Water Wind Deal happen.
How McDowell is getting away with using the SEU to help derail the wind power project is beyond me.