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SB 159 Delaware Senate · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026)

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES.

Summary
This Act requires the permitting of an electric substation as an allowed conditional use in a heavy industrial zone under certain conditions set forth in the Act, including that the electrical substation is being constructed to support the operation of a proposed renewable energy generation project of 250 MW or greater. This Act is being given retroactive effect such that, if a county has previously denied an application for an electrical substation that would meet the requirements of this Act, then the application shall be deemed granted provided that the electrical substation meets the requirements of this Act.
Issues: ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires permitting for substations supporting renewable energy projects ≥250MW, enabling infrastructure development for clean energy expansion.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced May 21, 2025 Signed Jun 30, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SA 1 to SB 159 → HA 1 to SB 159 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill sponsor changed from a Senator to a Representative, and the amendment type shifted from a Senate-only amendment to a House amendment. The core policy change is that the bill now includes a sunset provision, meaning it will expire on December 31, 2026, except for permits already granted or applications pending at that time.
Scope change
The bill now has a defined expiration date (sunset) and protects existing permits and pending applications from being affected after that date.
TIMELINE

Added a sunset provision stating the Act will expire on December 31, 2026, with exceptions for permits granted or applications pending before that date.

TECHNICAL

Changed the sponsor from a Senator to a Representative and updated the amendment designation from Senate Amendment to House Amendment.

Updated the amendment text to reference prior Senate Amendment No. 1 and changed the amendment location from lines 12-14 to after line 19.

Floor votes · House Jun 30, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
8
Committee
2
Amendments
3
Jun 30, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NO
upper
Jun 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed By House. Votes: 25 YES 15 NO 1 VACANT
lower
Jun 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment HA 1 to SB 159 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
lower
Jun 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee (Natural Resources & Energy) in House with 4 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
lower
Jun 11, 2025
Introduced
Assigned to Natural Resources & Energy Committee in House
lower
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 5 NO 1 ABSENT
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment SA 1 to SB 159 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
upper
Jun 6, 2025
Introduced
Amendment SA 1 to SB 159 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
upper
May 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate
upper
22 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bryan Townsend
Bryan Townsend
DDemocratic
DE
11
P
Photo of Bryant Richardson
Bryant Richardson
RRepublican
DE
21
P
Photo of Claire Snyder-Hall
Claire Snyder-Hall
DDemocratic
DE
14
P
Photo of Cyndie Romer
Cyndie Romer
DDemocratic
DE
25
P
Photo of Dave Sokola
Dave Sokola
DDemocratic
DE
8
P
Photo of Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson
RRepublican
DE
18
P
Photo of Ed Osienski
Ed Osienski
DDemocratic
DE
24
P
Photo of Eric Morrison
Eric Morrison
DDemocratic
DE
27
P
Photo of Jack Walsh
Jack Walsh
DDemocratic
DE
9
P
Photo of Josue Ortega
Josue Ortega
DDemocratic
DE
3
P
Photo of Kerri Harris
Kerri Harris
DDemocratic
DE
32
P
Photo of Laura Sturgeon
Laura Sturgeon
DDemocratic
DE
4
P
Photo of Madinah Wilson-Anton
Madinah Wilson-Anton
DDemocratic
DE
26
P
Photo of Mara Gorman
Mara Gorman
DDemocratic
DE
23
P
Photo of Marie Pinkney
Marie Pinkney
DDemocratic
DE
13
P
Photo of Melanie Ross Levin
Melanie Ross Levin
DDemocratic
DE
10
P
Photo of Nicole Poore
Nicole Poore
DDemocratic
DE
12
P
Photo of Ray Seigfried
Ray Seigfried
DDemocratic
DE
5
P
Photo of Sean Lynn
Sean Lynn
DDemocratic
DE
31
P
Photo of Spiros Mantzavinos
Spiros Mantzavinos
DDemocratic
DE
7
P
Photo of Stephanie Hansen
Stephanie Hansen
DDemocratic
DE
10
P
Photo of Trey Paradee
Trey Paradee
DDemocratic
DE
17