Governor Jack Markell discusses the benefits of the NRG’s 400 million dollar emissions control system project at Indian River power plant , including jobs created and improvement of air quality.
Governor’s Weekly Message
Governor Markell on the benefits of NRG's emissions control system project at the Indian River power plant.
Full text of Governor Jack Markell’s weekly message:
Like most weeks, this one was about jobs.
Every job counts and every job has a story.
This time, it is about workers at the Indian River Power Plant in Dagsboro and a project by NRG energy that will power both the economy and the environment - – a 400-million-dollar investment in a massive emissions control system that’s a win-win for the community and for the state.
The plant improvement project is creating hundreds of construction jobs while at the same time improving air quality for the long term.
Just like most major projects, this involved people working together. NRG worked closely with the State – with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Economic Development Office – with everyone interested in cleaner energy, clean air and reliable power.
When this project is done, the result will be a 70-percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and a 90-percent reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions. So we are protecting the environment; helping drive economic development and improving quality of life.
That’s what important about economic and job development – that we create and grow businesses and jobs that improve our lives and our communities.
That’s why after the announcement, I spent time meeting with some other NEW businesses in the Seaford area - each working to serve residents there and beyond – like LaRed Health Center, Belle Ayre Homes and Sweet Serenity Chocolates.
These businesses started up within the last several months and are being run by passionate, hard-working, talented entrepreneurs – driving to be successful.
Some are native Delawareans building their businesses and realizing their dreams in their own hometowns. Others moved to Delaware from other parts of the country after researching great places to live and work. We’re glad all of them are investing in Delaware’s future.
As I look at the events of this past week, I am reminded that job creation is about collaboration, communication and hard work. It’s a collage made from each of our stories – stories that often evolve from partnerships and people working together to weave the fabric of economic growth .
Because whether you’re a company the size of NRG putting hundreds to work or one of those small businesses in Seaford who hire one or two at a time… for each of those workers’ families – that job is a lifeline of opportunity and the promise of some new possibility.
Expanding those opportunities and extending that promise to more people is how we’re working together every week to keep Delaware moving forward.
