New DNREC Role: Getting to the True Costs of Energy

Tommywonk tells us about a directive Gov. Jack Markell has made to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to take a place at the table as the Public Service Commission evaluates Delmarva Power’s Integrated Resource Plan. (More info on past IRP process here.)

As Tommy points out, this is an excellent initiative from Gov. Markell — it is way past time that the price we pay for energy include the costs of environmental and human health impacts. Fully burdened energy costs let consumers, producers and governments have a complete picture of the cost of energy, but will likely provide better incentives for transitioning to alternative energies. And for Delawareans, that may mean more and better investments in emerging technologies — wind, ocean and even transmission technologies that may provide more local involvement in research, construction and operation. This really is an excellent move by the Markell administration and this process ought to be very interesting to watch.