Delaware

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

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2025

Press Room

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.

Source link

Click to comment

Delaware

WorldAtlas names the 8 quietest towns in Delaware

Published

10 hours ago

March 22, 2025

Press Room

WorldAtlas names the 8 quietest towns in Delaware

Even though Delaware is sixth in nation in population density, there are eight cities and towns in the First State that are as peaceful as they come.

WorldAtlas named eight of Delaware’s quietest towns for 2025. In its report, it said Delaware’s smaller communities blend nature, history and hospitality into one charming package. The list includes places in every county, with the less dense Sussex County taking half of the list.

New Castle County

Despite the nearby refinery, Delaware City finds itself on the list for its historic charm. This city sits on the banks of the Delaware River and has ferry rides to Fort Delaware and Pea Patch Island. It is also home to Fort DuPont State Park. The report cites the city’s historic, small-town vibe on the river as reason for its inclusion.

Odessa’s historic colonial district and architecture puts it on the list of quietest towns for day-trippers. Nearby Townsend is on the list for its larger, friendly community and its access to Wiggins Mill Park, which the report says is a great spot for hiking and picnicking. Unless there’s a deathmatch tournament going on, expect Townsend to be a quiet, easy-going place to visit.

Kent County

Wyoming is on the list for its agricultural fun. The report said Fifer’s Orchards and the annual summer Peach Festival add a lot of activity to the quaint Kent County town. It’s not the first time Wyoming has found itself on one of these lists. Recently, Brown’s Wyoming Tavern found itself on a list of America’s best dive bars for food.

Sussex County

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see Lewes, one of Delaware’s oldest cities, included on this list. The bayside city has been a summer destination for generations of Delawareans. Cape Henlopen State Park and the rest of its bay beaches bring people to the sand and into its bustling downtown. The report said its Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse offers a unique photo opportunity to visitors looking to cool off in the summer.

Bethany Beach is south of the Summer Capital of the World but has the same amount of activities. It’s on the list for its access to Delaware Seashore State Park and small beach town vibes on and off of the sand. Fishing, swimming, surfing and more without the bustling crowds of Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach make this one of the quietest towns at the beaches, according to WorldAtlas.

WorldAtlas looked toward the banks of the Broad Creek to find the next two towns: Bethel and Laurel. The report said Laurel’s accessible and plentiful green spaces offer a great place to hang out. The much smaller Bethel is home to the Bethel Maritime Museum, which explores the town’s unique shipbuilding past, according to the report.

Source link

Delaware

Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for March 21, 2025

Published

21 hours ago

March 22, 2025

Press Room

Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for March 21, 2025

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Friday, March 21, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 21 drawing

15-22-31-52-57, Mega Ball: 02, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from March 21 drawing

Day: 7-6-9

Night: 6-3-5

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from March 21 drawing

Day: 0-5-7-7

Night: 3-4-7-0

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from March 21 drawing

04-11-16-22-26-32

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from March 21 drawing

07-25-28-40-45, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from March 21 drawing

Day: 3-1-5-2-2

Night: 7-6-4-0-2

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link