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Republican candidate for governor Bill Lee says if the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control were split into two agencies, residents might be better protected.
For the past four decades, the environmental agency has overseen the state’s resources and, at the same time, has regulated polluters.
That creates a conflict of interest, leading to weak pollution oversight that endangers residents, Lee said.
He pointed to an April Department of Public Health study that indicated high cancer rates near the Indian River power plant.
That report does not indicate the causes of the cancer, but Lee says the environmental agency is doing nothing about it.
On Oct. 10, Lee proposed what he calls a governor’s initiative to divide the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
“I think we have a very complex agency, which often works at cross purposes. This would simplify the organization and basically give us an environmental top cop. I want to see our environmental laws enforced and I want to see someone who answers directly to me,” Lee said.
Joe Rogalsky, a spokesman for Jack Markell, who’s running on the Democratic ticket, says another agency is not necessary. He said Markell has vowed to enforce laws already in place.
“Jack thinks there needs to be less talk about renaming state agencies and more plans to protect Delaware’s environment,” Rogalsky said.
But Lee argues DNREC has done very little to protect the environment.
“Again, I think the answer of having a cabinet secretary-level person whose sole responsibility is to enforce environmental regulations is an improvement over what hasn’t been over the last 40 years,” Lee said.
Rogalsky said Markell has been clear about standing up to polluters. He pointed to Markell’s vow to install air-quality monitors near the Indian River power plant to enable scientists to gather data about harmful chemicals in an the area that has been shown to have high cancer rates.
Markell said he would beef up air inspectors at DNREC at polluters’ expense, not taxpayers. He also said the state should not subsidize polluters.
“I believe it’s terribly important that we make sure our environmental laws are strictly enforced especially in areas that have high cancer rates. That hasn’t been done,” Lee said.
DNREC Secretary John Hughes says to better enforce the law, he needs more employees. He also said dividing DNREC into two agencies would increase costs and duplicate efforts.
“[Lee’s proposal] has a virtue of simplicity. It’s easy math. You’re duplicating all the support services for an entire department, for instance, human resources, payroll, fiscal departments, the whole deal. You’re going to pay for it,” Hughes said.
“If you want to improve enforcement, put more employees on the front line,” Hughes said.
Dispute stretches back to 2004
Joe Rogalsky, communications director for Jack Markell for Governor, says gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee opposed a state law that holds corporate leaders responsible for knowingly polluting the environment. Lee denies the charge.
In 2001, an explosion took place at a refinery owned by then-called Motiva in Delaware City. The explosion resulted in one death and eight injuries, and released more than 1 million gallons of sulfuric acid and hydrocarbons into the environment.
“One thing they found in the investigation is that the company was not following state laws. The head of the company was woeful and negligent and purposely violated state law, and should be personally held responsible,” Rogalsky said. Rogalsky said Lee at the time opposed a law that holds corporate officials responsible.
Lee says he’s never held elected office, so he could not have voted to oppose the law. Rogalsky points to Lee’s comments in 2004 when he ran against Gov. Ruth Ann Minner.
In 2004, Lee was quoted saying that by repealing the law, the state might create a better business climate to attract companies. But Lee says all that is not the point.
“The truth of the matter is I’m totally unaware of what he’s talking about. I haven’t served in the Legislature and I haven’t been governor. I haven’t had a vote in anything,” Lee said. “I believe it’s terribly important that we make sure our environmental laws are strictly enforced – especially in areas that have high cancer rates. That hasn’t been done,” Lee said.
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