Viewpoint: Nostalgia and the Coastal Zone Act

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Rail cars last summer at the PBF unloading area at Delaware City.
Rail cars last summer at the PBF unloading area at Delaware City.

Last week, we saw another look into the Coastal Zone Act, the landmark piece of legislation that halted the wave of heavy industry moving to Delaware in the 1970s, specifically a Shell refinery not too far from Dover.

The News Journal (paywall)  recently delved into the history of the act and the courageous work of the late  Gov. Russell Peterson in warding off powerful forces that even included a presidential administration.
We also saw the predictable reaction from those who believe the act should remain unchanged,  even though the threat has faded away.  After all, no new refineries have been built in the U.S. since 1978.
Those wishing to preserve the act should realize that various types of development and expansion have taken place over the years under provisions of the act. Environmental regulations are also much tougher than in the 1970s.
Reforms would also lead to clearer language that would leave less room for regulatory loopholes.
In most cases, the current process simply adds a lot of paperwork to projects that in many cases reduce overall emissions.
The problem is that companies looking to fast track projects may bypass Delaware, due to the regulatory delays. The result is an industrial wasteland and reduced prospects  for blue-collar jobs with good paychecks.
We could be seeing this play out on a tiny piece of the former  Marcus Hook refinery site in Delaware. No plans are afoot for the tract.  What could turn out to be billions of dollars in construction is taking place next door as companies tap into uses for the state’s vast natural gas supply.
We should also remember that Peterson supported redevelopment of the former shipyard on Wilmington riverfront. The effort also included  preservation of nearby marshland.
For now, those wishing to preserve the act and live in the past have the upper hand. Let’s hope that situation changes.
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