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Delaware elected officials push back on rising prices

Gov. Matt Meyer called out Delmarva for “overcharging Delaware families” in his January State of the State speech. He has also urged the Public Service Commission to reject the utility’s rate requests.

“Rate increases far beyond inflation are unacceptable,” he said. “Delmarva’s out-of-state shareholders should not take advantage of Delaware’s families working to make ends meet. We must hold monopolies accountable.”

Democratic members of the Delaware General Assembly also sent a letter in February to the commission, calling for Delmarva to resubmit its December rate increase request so it falls under a law that took effect in January that gives the commission greater scrutiny over rate increase requests.

The state lawmakers also noted that Delmarva has sought three electric base rate adjustments over the past five years and asked the commission to reject the current rate case so the company would have to resubmit the request.

“We cannot reward Delmarva investors with such high returns on the backs of our constituents,” the letter stated.

Beal said they appreciate the governors in the states that use the PJM grid focusing on the supply costs and the need for more generation, which he said was the true driver of these significant increases for customers. He argued that they work on the delivery side to keep costs down.

“Our company’s been around since 1909,” he said. “Not all of our equipment is that old, but we certainly have some aging equipment. Over 50-year-old transformers that are really at the end of their life, and you want to make sure that you’re replacing this equipment in a planned manner, versus a catastrophic failure of equipment.”

Assistance programs to help low- and moderate-income households

Wilmington resident Alan Shores said he has tried to apply for help as his average monthly bill has gone from around $200 a month to about $500. Shores depends on monthly disability payments and said he’s struggling to afford his prescription medication because of the rising cost.

“I’m tap dancing as fast as I can, trying to pay this stuff, and I just can’t,” he said. “It’s because of this electric bill. Once that electric bill went through the roof, I’m like, ‘What do I do?’”

Beal said they are adding $500,000 to the $6.5 million customer relief fund created last year. Past-due gas and electric customers who have a household income between 60% of the state median income and 350% of the federal poverty level could be eligible for a $500 credit.

The utility also offers payment arrangements and budget billing, and it directs customers to financial assistance offered by charitable organizations.

A conflict on the other side of the world is hitting your wallet in Delaware.

Prices for gasoline have soared since the start of a war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran that began on Feb. 28. The national average gas price is $3.45 per gallon for regular, according to automotive, travel and insurance company AAA. It was $2.89 per gallon one month ago.

Delaware’s average price is lower than the national average at $3.36 per gallon, a steep hike from $2.88 per gallon a month ago, according to AAA data.

Delaware is small so average prices for regular gasoline are pretty stable from county to county. Sussex and Kent Counties sit at $3.37 per gallon and New Castle County is at $3.35 per gallon.

The current average prices per gallon, according to AAA, are:

• Regular: $3.365, up from $2.886 one month ago
• Mid-Grade: $3.916, up from $3.487 one month ago
• Premium: $4.191, up from $3.785 one month ago
• Diesel: $4.545, up from $3.856 one month ago