IUCN Colloquium, Nov. 1-5, Wuhan, China - Successful Energy Planning in Delaware

David Hodas of Widener University spoke about the successful energy planning and active public participation recently experienced by the state of Delaware. After evaluating its energy use and discovering that it used more energy per capita than its neighbors, Delaware determined that it needed a a comprehensive energy plan. The Energy Advisory Council set up five working groups. The working groups publicized regular meetings, encouraged public participation and created a website where all the materials were available to the public. As a result of participation by the public and industry players, the working groups submitted recommendations to the Energy Advisory Council. The Council then created an energy plan for the Governor, which set forth goals such as no construction of new power plants, energy building codes culminating in zero net energy homes by 2030, utilities reducing energy consumption by 30% and incorporating environmental externalities into energy costs. Delaware is another good example of states taking the lead in evaluating and addressing their needs individually, especially when there is still no comprehensive nationwide energy plan.