Delaware

How these bills aim to make utilities more transparent, accountable to ratepayers

Published

10 months ago

March 20, 2025

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How these bills aim to make utilities more transparent, accountable to ratepayers

Delaware senators unanimously passed three bills that seek to protect consumers and force the state’s energy industry to be more transparent and accountable to rate payers.
The bills’ primary sponsor, Sen. Stephanie Hansen, dubbed Thursday “rate payer relief day.”
The bills now go to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

Lawmakers in the Delaware Senate joined forces Thursday to unanimously pass three bills seeking to protect consumers and force the state’s energy industry to be more transparent and accountable to ratepayers.

Senate bills aim to protect consumers, force utility and energy transmission operators to be transparent and consider the ratepayer in their decision-making, and limit how much in annual capital expenses Delmarva Power can recover.

“Today is ratepayer relief day here in the state Senate,” the bills’ primary sponsor, Sen. Stephanie Hansen, said on the chamber floor Thursday afternoon. “The strain that this has placed on Delaware families has been enormous, and more than some can bear.”

The legislation was prompted following jumps in energy bills across the state this winter, the cause of which has become a hot topic among Delawareans, some of whom have placed the blame primarily on renewable energy.

Hundreds of angry consumers have filled town halls demanding answers about their bills and questioning how state lawmakers were going to fix it, Hansen said.

Republicans also signed on as cosponsors to the legislation.

Republican Sen. Eric Buckson said he and his colleagues are “joining forces” on this issue because the legislation “impacts and helps Delawareans throughout the state who are dealing with high costs.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola applauded Hansen’s efforts, championing her expertise in energy policy over the last several years.

“Her expertise and diligence to put Delaware on a sustainable path toward more certain energy reliability have resulted in three thoughtful bills that will protect ratepayers from future undue cost increases,” he said. “Despite the misinformation being spread by Republicans about the root causes for these increases, Sen. Hansen has remained resolute in her mission to hold our utility companies accountable to their customers by restricting their ability to needlessly raise rates.”

Using the ‘prudence standard’

Senate Bill 59 changes the standards for what costs can be included in a utility’s rate base pitched to the Public Service Commission.

Delaware is one of two states that doesn’t use the “prudence” standard and instead uses the “business judgment rule,” which favors the utility in rate cases. A switch to the prudence standard raises the utility’s responsibility to consider economic risk to ratepayers.

Hansen said the prudence rule looks “at the objective reasonableness” of an expenditure based on what the “utility knew or should have known” when the expenditure was made and ask if it was prudent.

“Other states made this switch because they recognize that regulated utilities are generally monopolies that serve a particular area, and the customers are captive,” the senator said.

Cap on recoverable expenses

Senate Bill 60 places a cap on annual capital expenses recoverable by Delmarva Power.

It does not allow for recovery for lobbying, political contributions, charitable contributions, and certain advertising and public relations activities.

An amendment to the bill restricts recovering from membership dues if it involves lobbying or similar activities intended to influence the outcome of legislation, rules, ballot measures or regulatory decisions.

It also adds an exception to the $125 million cap on annual capital expenses in the event of an emergency or extraordinary circumstances like a natural disaster or tariffs.

Grid operator transparency

Senate Bill 61 calls for transparency by PJM Interconnection, which is the regional electrical grid operator controlling generators and transmission lines across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Delaware joins neighboring states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland in raising concerns about the operator’s decisions. Currently, utilities vote in private on rules at PJM, which impact electric rates, grid reliability and transitioning to clean energy.

The First State’s bill will require Delmarva Power and the state’s Division of the Public Advocate to annually report their votes at PJM to the Public Service Commission.

“PJM’s decision-making affects all of us,” Hansen said. “Although the final voting on issues by PJM is public, the voting that occurs at the lower subcommittee meetings is not and this is where the policy is developed which leads to the issues that bubble up to the top.”

What’s next?

The bills now go to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-598-5507.

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Delaware

Delaware woman charged in Jersey shore hit-and-run that injured 92-year-old man

Published

2 hours ago

January 8, 2026

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Delaware woman charged in Jersey shore hit-and-run that injured 92-year-old man

VENTNOR, N.J. (WPVI) — A Delaware woman is behind bars in connection with a hit-and-run crash in November at the Jersey shore.

(The video in the player above is from previous coverage.)

The incident happened around 6:16 p.m. on Nov. 20 in Ventnor, New Jersey.

READ MORE | Video shows Jersey shore hit-and-run crash that left 92-year-old injured

Police said the 92-year-old victim was struck at Ventnor and Newport avenues. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

Investigators said the driver, Leslie Myers, 51, of Weldin Park, Delaware, fled the scene after the crash.

She was arrested Wednesday on charges of assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident and other related offenses.

Myers is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in Pennsylvania, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

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Delaware

Delaware announces plan to tackle climate warming emissions

Published

14 hours ago

January 7, 2026

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Delaware announces plan to tackle climate warming emissions

This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.

From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.

Delaware’s top environmental regulators have proposed steps to reduce climate-warming fossil fuel pollution, while protecting residents from threats like extreme heat and floods.

The state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on Wednesday released its 2025 Climate Action Plan. The nonbinding proposal outlines a path to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, as required by the state’s Climate Change Solutions Act.

Officials said Delaware residents continue to experience the impacts of climate change including severe storms like the 2021 Hurricane Ida, which forced people out of their homes, with some remaining unhoused a year later. In addition, sea level rise and beach erosion has flooded coastal communities and damaged critical infrastructure.

“Flooding, extreme storms and heat damage infrastructure that wasn’t built to withstand these conditions, including our energy systems,” said Susan Love, the agency’s climate and sustainability section administrator. “Sea level rise is drowning wetlands and uplands, and impacting water quality and availability. Damage from storms has increased costs for infrastructure and insurance coverage, and all of these impacts can negatively impact human health as well.”

Recommendations include strategies to reduce emissions from vehicles, industrial activities and electricity production — the source of the state’s top climate emissions.

The plan, which builds on similar goals set in 2021, comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has cut clean energy funding and prioritized U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.

“There is no doubt that the reduced funding in a lot of these areas from the federal government makes these goals and strategies harder to implement,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. “It is up to us to keep trying to work towards them, even knowing that it’s going to be a little harder to do without the federal resources that even a year ago we thought we could count on.”

Delaware officials plan to promote public transit, electric vehicles and clean hydrogen

The plan calls for increased bus and train ridership while improving access to electric vehicles and charging stations. Though lawmakers repealed a mandate that would have required manufacturers to produce a set number of electric vehicles, DNREC wants to expand programs that incentivize the optional sale of electric vehicles.

However, Love emphasized the state “can’t EV our way out of transportation emission.”

“A lot of work needs to be done as well to reduce the amount that we drive vehicles, by good land use choices, mass transit and making it easier for people to walk, bike and roll to their destinations,” she said.

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Delaware

Can you legally ride e-bikes and scooters in Delaware

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Can you legally ride e-bikes and scooters in Delaware

Sure, cars and motorcycles are popular ways to get around. But if you can’t afford either one, an electric bike might save the day like Delaware’s own Superman.

Then again, is it legal to cruise around on an electric bike or electric scooter in Delaware?

Here’s a guide to help you stay out of trouble when traveling in the Small Wonder:

What are Delaware laws for riding electric bikes?

An electric bicycle may be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed (unless posted otherwise), which includes streets, highways, roadways, shoulders and bicycle lanes.

Delaware prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from operating an electric bicycle, which features pedal assist only and tops off at 28 mph.

Difference between electric scooter, triped and moped explained

A motorized skateboard or scooter is any vehicle with two wheels on the ground, handlebars and a hand-controlled throttle or brake, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, according to Delaware law.

While mopeds and tripeds are similar in design and size, mopeds have two wheels and tripeds have three wheels.

Where can you legally ride motorized vehicles?

Delaware law states that motorized skateboards or scooters can be used on public streets or highways as long as they are in the neutral position or the powertrain function is disengaged. However, in Newark, you can be fined $100 for riding motorized scooters on streets and sidewalks.

Mopeds and tripeds are prohibited on interstates and operating railroads, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

Do you need insurance for a triped or moped?

No motor vehicle insurance is required for operating a moped or triped, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

What rules are there for riding a scooter?

Delaware state law states that a person cannot operate a motorized skateboard or scooter while under the influence of alcohol or any drug.

Are there license and registration requirements for electric bikes?

If you want to operate scooters, they must be tagged and registered by the Division of Motor Vehicles, and the operator must have a valid driver’s license.

The Delaware DMV states that a basic driver’s license is required to travel with a moped or triped on public roadways.

The state of Delaware does not have any licensing or registration requirements for electric bikes.

Who can legally ride an electric scooter?

The minimum age to operate a scooter is 16. No person under 12 can operate a scooter unless they are under adult supervision or a parent or legal guardian.

Is there a law for wearing a helmet on a motorized scooter or skateboard?

To operate a motorized skateboard or scooter, bicycle-type helmets are required for those under 16, according to Delaware State law.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters

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