Several energy-related bills waltzed through the House Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday, despite Republican opposition. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would update the responsibilities of the State Energy Office to include developing the State Energy Plan, the stateâs Climate Action Plan, and transitioning Delaware towards more renewable energy. The bill is a …
Climate bill passes House after vote on two amendments
Rep. Rich Collins on Tuesday begged House Democrats to join him in opposing a bill that set greenhouse gas emission limits in Delaware. âI have begged you to stand up one time and not just take this direction that apparently is so overwhelmingly powerful in this chamber,â the Millsboro Republican said. âAnd I know I’ve lost. I tell you it’s …
New climate bill would increase scope of energy agency
With several climate bills moving through the Delaware General Assembly, a new bill proposes to increase the scope and power of a DNREC energy agency, sort of a state government version of Toklienâs âone ring to rule them all.â Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would empower the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy to help oversee …
Senators: Animal abuse laws could prevent other forms of abuse
Two bills that aim to prevent animal abuse unanimously passed through the Senate floor Tuesday. Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would require law-enforcement agencies, the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families and the Department of Justice to report suspected animal cruelty to the Office of Animal Welfare. The reports would only be required …
Appoquinimink breaks ground on new Louis L. Redding school
A historic Middletown school building is getting a $57.1 million makeover. The Louis L. Redding Building, part of Appoquinimink School District and named after the first Black practicing lawyer in Delaware, will have a new home in two years. District and government officials on Tuesday broke ground on the new building, which will be right in front of the current …
Senator questions whether state health crisis board meets
A bill that would add legislators to the state commission that oversees public health emergencies left one senator confused in the Senate Health and Social Services Committee meeting Wednesday. Senate Bill 66, sponsored by Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, adds the Senate minority leader and the House minority leader as members of the Public Health Emergency Planning Commission. It works with …
Office of New Americans would help Delaware immigrants adjust
A bill that could create a state Office of New Americans to help immigrants better integrate into life in Delaware sailed through a General Assembly committee Wednesday. Senate Bill 44, sponsored by Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, cleared the Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee on a vote of two yes and two on the merits. On the merits means the legislator …
Does school board public comment bill go far enough?Â
A bill that blew through the House unanimously got some blowback Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee. House Bill 34, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, chair of the House Education Committee, would require district and charter school boards to hold a public comment period before the board moves on to action items requiring a vote. It will not require …
Energy bills about council, net metering head to House floor
Energy bills pertaining to the Governorâs Energy Advisory Council and how much those who own solar panels can claim back on month power bills were both released by the House Natural Resources Committee Thursday. Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, wasnât happy with either. Senate Bill 310: Governorâs Energy Advisory Council Sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Newark, SB 310 updates the Governorâs …
Carbon emissions goals released from Senate committee
A controversial bill setting Delawareâs goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions was released from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee Wednesday and will advance to the Senate floor for a vote. Senate Bill 305, the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act, would require Delaware to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% before 2030 and by 90% before 2050. Opponents said the …