Today, after nearly three years of fierce public opposition, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) awarded five state permits for Bioenergy Devco’s controversial poultry factory farm gas refinery in Sussex County. The decision came despite DNREC receiving more public comments than any other matter heard before it in 2022 for which the agency posted online public comments; 89% of those comments were in opposition.

Bioenergy Devco proposes to bring up to 250,000 tons of poultry industry waste annually into a community home to a greater percentage of people of color and people living in poverty than the rest of Sussex County as a whole, to generate pipeline gas. The project poses significant threats to the environment and public health, including projected annual emissions equivalent to a typical car driving 71 million miles each year.

Food & Water Watch Attorney Tyler Lobdell issued the following statement:

“Factory farm gas is not welcome in Delaware. Governor Carney’s decision to award Bioenergy Devco its operating permits, without necessary environmental review or oversight, is a dereliction of duty. Bioenergy Devco’s proposed methane refinery threatens to cause further harm to Delaware’s environment and vulnerable residents. Yet, DNREC has allowed this developer to shortcut much needed protections. The decision to allow the company to proceed in Sussex County runs afoul of the state’s responsibility to safeguard the health of Delaware’s climate, environment and people.”