Delaware

Why Delaware lawmakers want to put more money into energy bill assistance

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2025

Why Delaware lawmakers want to put more money into energy bill assistance

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Delaware

Corporations Can Vote in Some Delaware Elections, Judge Says (1)

Published

60 minutes ago

May 26, 2026

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Corporations Can Vote in Some Delaware Elections, Judge Says (1)

Corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, and other “artificial entities” have the right to vote in Delaware elections under some circumstances, a judge said in a novel ruling Tuesday.

Judge Craig A. Karsnitz rejected an ACLU challenge to a charter permitting voting in local elections by the entities that own most of the property in the Town of Fenwick Island, one of several municipalities in the state with similar provisions. Karsnitz dismissed the lawsuit from Delaware’s Superior Court, citing “the principle of one person/entity/one vote.”

“Visions of faceless large corporations or even HAL controlling a small town are frightening and …

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Report outlines economic impact of Delaware nonprofit sector

Published

13 hours ago

May 26, 2026

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Report outlines economic impact of Delaware nonprofit sector

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For any issues, contact drainey@delawarebusinessnow.com or call 302-753-0691.

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Delaware

Delaware reenactor retracing Caesar Rodney’s historic ride to Philly

Published

1 day ago

May 25, 2026

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Delaware reenactor retracing Caesar Rodney’s historic ride to Philly

Ciro Poppiti has transformed himself into Founding Father Caesar Rodney.

Poppiti is a lawyer, National Guardsman, actor and the elected register of wills in Delaware’s New Castle County — the same office Rodney once held in his county.

On June 12 and 13, Poppiti will ride horseback from Delaware to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, retracing Rodney’s historic 1776 journey that helped secure support for American independence.

Rodney raced through a storm after learning at midnight that he needed to break a tie in Delaware’s delegation on the vote for independence from England.

“You’ve got to get to Philadelphia by three o’clock, four o’clock the next day,” Poppiti said while portraying Rodney. “The gavel is coming in otherwise everything you have done is now destroyed.”

Rodney famously wore a green scarf to hide a cancerous formation on his face.

While Rodney rode horse trails from Dover to Philadelphia, Poppiti’s route will follow modern roads, including Route 13 through Claymont and Delaware County before heading up Passyunk Avenue to Independence Hall.

Poppiti said the ride is taking place in June because the actual anniversary in early July will coincide with World Cup events in Philadelphia.

Well-trained Amish horses and a buggy will accompany the ride to help make the trip safer on busy modern roads.

Rodney remains a controversial figure for some because his family owned slaves on their Kent County farm.

During protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020, Rodney’s statue was removed from Rodney Square in Wilmington. The statue is now displayed in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C.

“We have critics, critics who want to damn Caesar Rodney because he had slaves and they should,” Poppiti said. “We embrace those who are critical of Rodney because those who are critical of him are helping us and they’re fulfilling our mission. Our mission is to tell the whole story warts and all and to expose the fact that it was all people of all colors that helped make the greatest upset in world history happen.”

More information about the reenactment ride, including related events such as a gala and concert, is available at 250ride.org.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.

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