Update on Rising Energy Costs in Delaware – And What You Can Do About It
- 39th District Republicans
- Feb 11
- 4 min read
If you've noticed a spike in your electric bill this winter, you're not alone. While colder temperatures have played a role, the primary cause isn’t the weather—it’s Delaware’s misguided green energy mandates, pushed by Democrat legislators. These policies have forced higher costs onto consumers, and now, Delawareans are paying the price in real time.
Delmarva Power Admits Cause of Increased Prices
Delmarva Power Region President Phil Vavala recently acknowledged on WDEL’s Rick Jensen Show:
“The charge in the distribution fee, separate from the purchase of the gas, reflects the infrastructure investments that are necessary to deliver it to the home, and the wear-and-tear on the infrastructure that occurs as part of that delivery... that's proportional to the customer's usage.”
Translation? Energy policies passed by Delaware Democrats have increased costs while failing to provide the infrastructure needed for their so-called “clean energy” transition.
Key Bills Driving Up Energy Costs:
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act (REPSA)
As mentioned in our previous blog, "Senate Republicans Investigate Surging Energy Bills, Pledge Action on Costly Legislation," REPSA is one of the most damaging policies. It forces utilities to obtain an increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. While supporting green energy sounds good in theory, these mandates come with significant costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.
SB 33 – Renewable Energy Act of 2021
SB 33 mends the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act, requiring an increased percentage of renewable energy through 2035. Starting in January 2025, utilities like Delmarva Power must meet these clean energy mandates, even though Delaware lacks the infrastructure to produce renewable energy. Despite this, Delaware Democrats chose to close the Indian River Power Plant, leaving Delaware without a power plant to produce energy in addition to not being able to produce the necessary clean energy. As a result, energy is bought through market auctions, where prices fluctuate. Additionally, delivery charges are higher because energy travels through inefficient, congested lines, impacting residents farther from energy sources the most.
HB 99 – Climate Change Solutions Act of 2023
HB 99 requires that all passenger vehicles and light duty vehicles owned and operated by the State be zero emission vehicles by 2040 by requiring increasing volumes of zero emission vehicles every few years.
SB 265 – Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024
SB 265 promotes a shift to carbon-free energy by preparing for offshore wind as a key part of Delaware’s energy future, if it remains cost-competitive with other sources, and expanding options for connecting renewable energy to the state’s transmission grid.
HB 9 – Zero Emissions by 2040 and Electric Vehicles Act of 2024
HB 9 mandates that all passenger and light-duty vehicles owned and operated by the state be zero-emission vehicles by 2040, with progressively increasing numbers of zero-emission vehicles required every few years. The Office of Management and Budget, led by convicted shoplifter Cerron Cade, is authorized to grant exemptions. Law enforcement vehicles, as well as those used by the Department of Education, school districts, charter schools, and designated take-home vehicles, will be exempt from these requirements.
HB 402 of 2024– County Building Codes
HB 402 requires new schools and state buildings over 50,000 square feet to meet certain requirements to ensure that the building's roof is able to support solar energy infrastructure.
SB 237 of 2024 – County Comprehensive Plan
SB 237 amends Title 9 of the Delaware Code regarding county comprehensive plans for Sussex, Kent, and New Castle counties, as well as Title 22 regarding municipal comprehensive plans for municipalities with populations over 2,000. It requires these plans to enhance community resiliency and address the impacts of climate change.
SB 7 of 2024 – State Energy Policies
All of these bills aim to transition Delaware toward solar and wind energy. All have clauses to include subsidies due to expert witness testimony and warnings that prices would skyrocket.
What You Can Do About This?
Attend the Delaware Senate Energy Committee Hearing – Feb 14
Senator Stephanie Hansen has scheduled a Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee hearing on Friday, February 14 at 10 a.m to address the rise in consumer energy bills. A representative from Delmarva Power will come before the Committee to address the recent increases in consumer energy bills. Representatives from the Public Service Commission and the Delaware Office of the Public Advocate will also be in attendance and available for questions. Learn more here.
Location: Senate Chamber- 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE 19901
Attend in person or virtually. A livestream of this meeting will also be available for viewing.
File a Complaint
The Delaware Public Advocate is accepting complaints about high energy costs.
Write a Letter to the Editor
Use these key points to inform fellow Delawareans:
The REAL cause of rising energy costs is Democrat energy mandates—not the power companies.
Delaware lacks the infrastructure for its own clean energy but is forced to comply with expensive green mandates anyway.
We need to prioritize lower-cost, reliable energy like natural gas, nuclear, and coal over high-cost, unreliable wind and solar.
The Delaware Public Advocate’s job is to protect consumers from high energy cost, not rubber-stamp bad policies.
Sussex Media Contacts:
Email info@38thdrcp.com for statewide media contacts
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