When higher energy bills hit Delawareans’ wallets this winter, many of those struggling were ineligible for the assistance available.  

Those who make 60% of the state’s median income or less qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, but with costs rising across the board, more people are struggling to make ends meet.  

For a single person, the income limit for LIHEAP is $37,740, according to 2025 guidelines. 

That’s why Delaware House Rep. Debra Heffernan introduced House Bill 50, which funnels more money to LIHEAP while also creating a Delaware Energy Fund to aid households whose income is less than 350% of the federal poverty level. For a single-person household to qualify, they would need to make $54,775 or less. 

“One part of it adds money to the LIHEAP program that comes from the Alternate Compliance Program that Delmarva pays into,” Heffernan said. “The second part of the bill creates a new Delaware Energy Fund, which is going to be able to help customers with more moderate income.” 

The act would sunset three years after being enacted.  

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

The infusion of additional funds to Delaware’s LIHEAP and the creation of a new heating assistance fund for moderate-income earners comes amid soaring energy costs in the First State caused by a combination of increased charges and greater energy use.  

Heffernan said the infusion of additional funds into LIHEAP is also important given the looming cuts to federal funding.  

Where does the legislation stand? 

The heating assistance bill was moved out of the House Natural Resources & Energy Committee on March 12 and was placed on the ready list for the full House of Representatives to vote on. 

UTILITY BILLS: Renewable energy isn’t the cause of electric bills spiking in Delaware. Here’s what is

Once HB 50 has been acted on by the House, it will then move to the state Senate for consideration. 

The Delaware General Assembly is not in session this week as lawmakers host bond hearings.

Existing energy assistance 

Delaware offers several assistance programs for residents struggling with energy costs.  

The Delaware Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program under LIHEAP that provides financial assistance to households for their energy bills. It also assists with energy crises, weatherization and energy-related home repairs. The state’s LIHEAP assistance is run through Catholic Charities of Wilmington. 

For Delaware households at or below 60% of Delaware’s median income seeking help with energy costs, the state offers these options: 

Winter Heating Fuel Assistance 

Homeowners and renters are eligible for help on home energy bills between Oct. 1 and March 31. Eligible sources include electricity, natural gas, oil, kerosene, propane, coal, and wood.  

FOLLOW THE MONEY: How do renewable energy mandates contribute to your electric bills?

Crisis Assistance 

This assistance is available year-round and can be received in addition to seasonal fuel benefits. Households must show they are experiencing a crisis, such as having received a shut-off or disconnect notice or being behind on utility bills. 

Summer Cooling Assistance Program  

Households who have previously applied for LIHEAP, within the program year, that need help with offsetting the electrical costs to cool their home are eligible. The program also offers a single-room in-window air conditioner to those who can demonstrate a need. 

Weatherization Assistance Program 

This free program is administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and helps identify energy savings. It provides assistance in weatherproofing and improving energy efficiency in homes. Call (302) 735-3480 to learn more about the program.  

To apply to any of these programs, apply online or contact Catholic Charities or call the following numbers depending on your location for assistance: 

• New Castle County: (302) 654-9295
• Kent County: (302) 674-1782 
• Sussex County: (302) 856-6310 

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

• The FBI denied the Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner’s request for a service code for necessary fingerprinting for criminal background checks.
• Despite the state handling most other background checks, the FBI fingerprints produce the criminal records.
• The needed change requires legislation to amend the current law.

The bumpy road to legal recreational marijuana businesses in Delaware hit another roadblock.

The FBI denied the Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner’s request for a service code to complete legally required fingerprinting for everyone who was selected for a marijuana business license. The state office said the FBI denied the request because it wants the law to lay out exactly who requires a background check.

The FBI service code is necessary to conduct the fingerprinting part of the background check. Without it, no one can move on to the next steps of their remaining applications. The state marijuana office said it is working to propose new legislation to amend Title 4 of Delaware’s code “expeditiously” to add the necessary wording that would make the FBI happy. It has not found a legislator to introduce a bill with these changes yet.

More: Marijuana business owners gather in Dover to press state to open weed businesses

The Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement is still working through its background checks, which include income tax transcripts, long-term debt obligations, bankruptcies, civil litigation and more for every licensee. The key missing piece is the FBI fingerprinting, which produces the criminal part of the background check.

The requirements for the background checks a few years ago for medical sales and these adult-use recreational sales are virtually the same, the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner said. But it said the FBI wants more specificity in the law for adult-use recreational sales.

Without the FBI-produced criminal records, conditional licenses to operate recreational marijuana businesses will remain in limbo.

Once someone gets a conditional license, they have 18 months to become operational before they can be awarded an active license. Unless there is a good-faith reason they cannot get up and running, the license is rescinded after that time period.

In order for the FBI to perform fingerprinting and national criminal history background checks, it requires state laws to meet the following criteria:

• Require the fingerprinting of applicants
• Authorize the use of FBI records to screen the applicants
• Identify specific categories of people subject to the checks

The last requirement is the sticking point for the FBI’s denial of the current law.

An amendment to the law now has to go through the entire legislative process, stifling the industry for an indefinite amount of time nearly two years after its legalization. Throughout 2024, the state government had the goal to open dispensary doors by this month. The industry, which must be homegrown because it is illegal to transport marijuana over state lines, has yet to get off the ground in Delaware.

For some license holders, this development is adding to their frustrations with the process. Tracee Southerland is a cannabis advocate and holds two social equity licenses for testing facilities in Sussex and New Castle counties. She called the FBI’s denial more than a speed bump.

“Currently, it’s a roadblock because until we get fingerprints, we can’t get our conditional licenses so nothing can move forward,” she said.

She said the state marijuana office told her in an email that she is squared away and needs to complete the background check before she can start to set up her business. Now, with this new delay and the time it takes for marijuana plants to grow, the process could extend for months.

James Brobyn, who owns a medical marijuana dispensary, has his background check completed. However, he wants to welcome recreational customers as soon as he can because of the limited customer base for medical marijuana.

“Everyone’s asleep at the wheel, like no one’s watching,” Brobyn said. “Well, I’m watching. I’ve been trying to scream at this and raise the alarm for a while.”

Cannabis advocates have been calling for Gov. Matt Meyer to appoint a marijuana commissioner to give the agency some power. The state’s first marijuana commissioner, Rob Coupe, stepped down in January. His deputy commissioner, Paul Hyland, has been acting commissioner since then.

A spokesperson for the governor said interviews for the position are underway and that a selection could be announced in the coming weeks. The state Senate must confirm Meyer’s nomination.

Shane Brennan covers New Castle County with a focus on Newark and surrounding communities. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com. Follow @shanebrennan36 on X, formerly Twitter.

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — The first pitch of the Philadelphia Phillies home opener was thrown by someone whose endurance inspired a stadium full of fans.

It was from a Delaware native, Briar Jones, who recovered from injuries after being hit by a moving vehicle.

“I never thought I’d be able to throw the first pitch of the Phillies game,” said Jones.

His recovery, thanks to Nemours Children’s Health, was celebrated by thousands in South Philly at Citizens Bank Park.

“To take Briar from where he is today from the night he was injured required lots of individuals and lots of expertise from many departments of Nemours,” said Dr. Duane Duke from Nemours Children’s Health Delaware.

Jones was joined by Dr. Duane Duke and Dr. Arianna Trionfo to celebrate the momentous day.

“It’s going to create a great memory for them. And he certainly deserves it from what he’s been through,” said Dr. Duane Duke.

After throwing his pitch, Jones was able to get the baseball autographed by Brandon Marsh.

“I will not forget this. Never. Once in a lifetime. Can’t forget it,” said Jones.

For more information, check out the video above.

Also, learn more about the Philadelphia Phillies on their website.