Gov. Jack Markell focused on the ongoing efforts to address climate change and strengthen Delaware’s economy in his weekly message.
This week, the governor joined state and local officials to celebrate the Garrison Energy Center. The new natural gas-fired power plant in Dover is operated by the Calpine Corporation. It uses gas and steam turbines to produce up to 50 percent more electricity and less air pollution than a traditional plant.
Markell emphasized that the Garrison Energy Center plays a critical role in helping the First State meet the emission reductions goals set by the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. He also says it’s a good example of how the state addresses the issue of climate change while boosting the local economy.
“Construction of cleaner energy projects like [the Garrison Energy Center] put hundreds of Delawareans to work, while building on our state’s efforts to combat climate change," said Markell. "They help make Delaware a better place to do business by displacing older, less economically efficient sources of power. And we’re enhancing the reliability of electric power for businesses and residences throughout the region.”
The Garrison Energy Center began operating in June.
Full Text of Gov. Markell's weekly message:
A new power plant we celebrated in Dover this past week represents more progress toward a vital goal for Delaware’s future – powering our state with cleaner, more efficient energy. Calpine’s Garrison Energy Center combines gas and steam turbines to produce up to 50 percent more electricity and less air pollution than a traditional plant.
Last year, we brought the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to this site during construction to promote President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, because that initiative recognizes what Delaware’s story proves: making our air cleaner and addressing climate change can also be good for our economy. The vision of people like the leaders of Calpine and new efforts by the state have made it possible for Delaware to reduce greenhouse gas emissions faster than any other state and become a model for what’s possible in a new era of energy production.
Construction of cleaner energy projects like this Center put hundreds of Delawareans to work, while building on our state’s efforts to combat climate change. They help make Delaware a better place to do business by displacing older, less economically efficient sources of power. And we’re enhancing the reliability of electric power for businesses and residences throughout the region.
The Garrison Energy Center’s opening marks another milestone in making Delaware a leader in building the energy future we want for ourselves, our children, and many generations to come. It complements our state’s efforts to transform old power plants, invest in renewables, and make our buildings more energy efficient to reduce pollution and costs.
By continuing to work with the private sector toward cleaner, more reliable, and more efficient energy, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.
