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Rehoboth outfall - It's déjà vu all over again

May 18, 2017

It's déjà vu all over again. (credit to Yogi Berra)

A new state governor and a new secretary of DNREC and we again are 'considering' corporate proposals regarding the future of how Rehoboth Beach, and its citizens, are going to address and pay for a mandate from same state to remove wastewater nutrients from the Inland Bays.

My observation, on record, is that Rehoboth Beach officials have been diligent and responsible in addressing the state mandate and have advanced to their residents, by successful referendum, the most environmentally sound and economically prudent option for treatment disposal. Their proposal places the future operation and maintenance of this utility within city limits where public works infrastructure and personnel are directly responsible to city administration officials and the residents. Future operation and maintenance costs will be transparent and within full control of the residents and their elected city representatives.

Now, it's no secret that the state of Delaware never met a corporation it did not want to nurture. The original Financial Services Act is a prime example of how responsive the elected politicians in our state can be when corporate profit and possible tax revenues are in the balance.

DEDO, the Delaware Economic Development Office, is a special venue for using tax revenues to help out needy corporations; how about - $42 million to PBF Energy, $22 million to JPMorgan Chase, $21 million to Fisker Automotive and $16+ million to Bloom Energy as a few measurable examples of what is undoubtedly State corporate policy.

Regarding any privatization option for disposal of the Rehoboth treated wastewater, there will be no serious rate guarantees regarding future operation, maintenance or rehabilitation costs made by any corporate suitor. How many miles of effluent piping along which of our crowded highways? How many pumping stations with backup emergency power located where? What are the operational costs of spray disposal site? How is the City of Rehoboth going to control any of these future costs?

One more issue to put on the table. It sure looks like great PR for any private wastewater operator to be the one who was able to step in at the last minute and save Rehoboth and its residents from doing what they have already decided as the proper course of action for their town.

Cui bono?

Rich Baccino, P.E. (retired)
Rehoboth Beach

 

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