Delaware

November 17, 2009 -- DOVER -- Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Secretary of Labor John McMahon announced today that unemployed Delaware workers will be eligible for up to fourteen weeks of additional unemployment insurance benefits.

“These benefits will help Delawareans who have been hit hard by the national economic recession get back on their feet,” Markell said. “Turning around the state’s economy takes time. That’s why my administration is working hard every day to move our economy forward and create jobs by making Delaware the best state in the nation for starting and growing businesses.”    » read more »

New Law to Take Effect Next Week

November 16, 2009 -- DOVER- Delaware would become the first state in America to require insurance carriers to cover medically appropriate developmental screening tests for children between birth and the age of three under a new law that will take effect Nov. 25.

The new law, which Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed into law Aug. 27, will dramatically increase the number of children whose developmental delays are detected at a very young age when they can be successfully treated.    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell has declared a state of emergency for Kent County and Sussex County to better enable response to the current storm, effective at 6 p.m.

Earlier today, Gov. Markell authorized the Delaware National Guard to position heavy vehicles and personnel in a number of locations in Sussex County to be ready for any needed response to flooding overnight or Friday. In addition, the Guard delivered more than 1,000 sandbags to Sussex County for use by local governments in staving off flooding.    » read more »

Carper, Kaufman, Castle urge Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider plan

November 12, 2009 -- WILMINGTON, DE – In a November 10 letter to Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Delaware’s congressional delegation objects to the Corps’ plan to proceed with the deepening of the Delaware River without required permits, urging her to reconsider.

Bypassing a congressional directive that requires the Corps to obtain appropriate permits from Delaware, the Corps intends to commence a $300 million project as early as next month to deepen the Delaware River shipping channel – a project that has not yet received environmental clearance from the state.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia and Governor Jack Markell of Delaware agreed today on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of off shore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. The three states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a formal partnership that will build on the region’s significant offshore wind resources to generate clean, renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.    » read more »

Deal ‘Marks Important Steps Toward’ Building Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm

November 9, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – Delaware Governor Jack Markell released the following statement Monday in response to NRG Energy’s announcement that it has acquired Bluewater Wind:

“Delaware’s leadership has positioned it to be the first state in the nation to develop an offshore wind farm, bringing clean power to Delawareans and creating hundreds of jobs. Today's announcement by NRG and Bluewater Wind marks important steps towards realizing this vision. The agreement will bring together the financing, experience, and energy expertise necessary to develop the billion dollar project -- illustrating that smart environmental policy will help drive economic growth in Delaware.”    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The Delaware congressional delegation – Democratic Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman and Republican Rep. Mike Castle – hailed the NRG Energy Inc. announcement today of its purchase of Bluewater Wind:

“This is great news for the future of off-shore wind power in our nation and in our state.

“Both parties agree that the added financing capability comes at a critical juncture for Bluewater Wind — an established developer with promising projects already underway. Delaware is now better poised than ever to be the first state in the nation to have an off-shore wind farm.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- NEWARK – Delaware’s one-time tax amnesty program is anticipated to net more than $22 million for the state, Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced Thursday.

The two-month long partnership between the Delaware Division of Revenue and the General Revenue Corporation, a subsidiary of Sallie Mae Corporation, is expected to clear more than 14,000 delinquent accounts. When the program was authorized this summer, estimates called for $10 million to be collected.

“During these challenging times, it is certainly good news that Delaware will have additional funds to help government meet its core commitments, like teachers in the classroom, police on the street and care for our most vulnerable citizens,” Markell said.    » read more »

Markell lays out “five foundations” for making state government smaller and more cost-effective during budget process in advance of OMB hearings

November 2, 2009 -- WILMINGTON – State government will have at least 1,000 fewer positions than it did in the beginning of his term this January, Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced today. As the Office of Management and Budget begins a month of budget hearings, the Governor laid out five foundations he and his Cabinet are using to make government work more efficiently and cost-effectively to reduce the size and cost of state government.    » read more »

Senate Floor, remarks as prepared for delivery

October 30, 2009 -- Mr. President, my home state of Delaware has been the recipient of some good news this week and so I thought this would be a good time to come to the floor and discuss how Delaware is leading the way in responding to the challenge of climate change and creating green jobs.

This is a critical time in our history. At stake are the jobs and economic future of our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, as we emerge from this economic crisis, many of the jobs we have lost will not return. To make a full recovery, we need to create the next generation of jobs. I believe that the jobs leading the way will be the clean and green energy industries of tomorrow.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Today’s announcement that auto production will be returning to the old GM’s assembly facility in Wilmington, DE, is an example of how successful partnerships can help transform the American auto industry of the future.

The White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers has worked closely with the state of Delaware, federal agencies and the old GM to help support this successful announcement, and will continue working with states and agencies across the country to support positive economic transitions in auto communities.

Mission of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Wilmington, DE – As part of the of the Administration’s commitment to jumpstarting the production of fuel efficient vehicles in America, Vice President Joe Biden today announced Fisker Automotive is re-opening a shuttered former GM factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce long-range, plug-in, electric hybrid vehicles.

The Wilmington assembly plant was selected by Fisker Automotive for its primary global production facility based on its size, production capacity; and access to shipping ports, rail lines and skilled workforce.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- The University of Delaware and Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica have finalized an agreement to install a utility-scale 2-megawatt Gamesa wind turbine at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes in 2010. UD and Gamesa representatives signed the agreement in an Oct. 19 ceremony attended by several dignitaries including Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara, and City of Lewes Mayor Jim Ford.    » read more »

DNREC Secretary approves plan for largest improvement in air quality in Delaware history by reducing emissions from Indian River power plant

October 14, 2009 -- DOVER – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara has issued a Secretary’s Order approving construction permits for air pollution control equipment at NRG’s Indian River power plant near Millsboro that will transform the facility from among the 50 dirtiest coal plants in the nation to the one of the cleanest while also providing substantial public health and environmental benefits to Delawareans.    » read more »

Less than three weeks remain to pay back taxes without penalties and interest

October 13, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell and state finance officials reminded taxpayers Tuesday that they have less than three weeks to take advantage of the state’s Voluntary Tax Compliance Initiative that will allow individuals and businesses to pay outstanding State of Delaware tax liabilities without penalty. The deadline for enrolling in the program is Oct. 30.

“This amnesty program is generating crucial funding to help government meet its core commitments, such as teachers in the classroom, police on the street and care for our most vulnerable citizens, while also benefiting taxpayers,” Markell said.    » read more »