Sen. Stephanie Hansen

Maddy summarySB 61 requires Delaware's representatives on the PJM Interconnection (a regional electricity grid operator) to publicly disclose their votes during PJM meetings or when considering specific matters. This applies directly to Delaware's utility regulators or officials serving on PJM's governing body. The bill mandates that all votes cast by Delaware representatives be made publicly available, increasing transparency about how the state participates in regional energy decisions. The policy change is procedural, focusing solely on disclosure requirements without altering voting rules or outcomes.

Public utilities are regulated monopolies. Practically speaking, a public utility has no competition in its service territory and, therefore, does not face the economic risks that a for-profit, non-utility company must face. By law, a public utility is authorized the opportunity to earn a reasonable rate of return on the costs it incurs in operating its business. Under the current Public Utilities Code, in determining the rates that public utilities may charge customers, the Delaware Public Service Commission must apply the “business judgment rule” standard in deciding which costs may be included in a utility’s rate base. Forty-eight (48) states in the United States apply the “prudence” standard when setting utility rates, not the "business judgement rule" standard that is applied in Delaware. The more costs that are included in rate base, the higher the rates that are charged to utility customers. Under the “business judgment rule” standard, the Public Service Commission may not disallow the inclusion of a cost in rate base, even though the cost was incurred imprudently. For example, a utility may decide to expand the size of its facilities, but overbuilds those facilities at a cost of $3 million, even though a smaller $1 million expansion would be adequate to serve its customers and anticipated future growth. Under the business judgment rule, the Public Service Commission is not able to deny recovery of any part of the cost of the expanded facility and it will be included in rate base. Consequently, customer utility bills have been increasing and could continue to increase significantly. Amending the Public Utility Code so that the “prudence” standard applies, would give the Public Service Commission the ability to deny, in whole or in part, certain expenses and costs, which can lead to less frequent and less impactful rate increases.

Maddy summarySB 148 amends Delaware law to designate the Blue Dasher dragonfly as the state's official dragonfly. This procedural bill formally adds the Blue Dasher to Title 29 of the Delaware Code, recognizing it as a new state symbol. The change does not alter existing laws or policies but provides a formal emblem for Delaware's natural heritage. It directly affects Delaware's state identity by expanding its official symbols.

This Act strikes the provisions in § 1014 (d) and (e) of Title 26, which allow Commission-regulated electric utilities, municipal electric companies, electric cooperatives, and electric distribution companies not to reimburse, credit, or otherwise remunerate net energy metering customers for any Excess kWh Credits at the end of the annualized billing period. Under the current provisions of § 1014 (d) and (e) of Title 26, Excess kWh Credits revert to the commission-regulated electric utilities, municipal electric companies, electric cooperatives, and electric distribution companies, which denies net metering customers the benefit of the Excess kWh Credits. This Act requires Commission-regulated electric utilities, municipal electric companies, electric cooperatives, and electric distribution companies to credit or carry over any Excess kWh Credits for net energy metering customers so that the customers receive the benefit of the Excess kWh Credits.

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.

This Act amends the Charter of the Town of Odessa to expressly authorize the Town to collect taxes and other charges owed to the Town using the provisions in Title 9 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 87, including the monition method of sale.

This bill will improve customer service by extending the due date on toll violations from the thirty-first day to the sixty-first day, after the date the violation is transmitted. This bill amends the administrative fee by stating that the fee may be "up to" $25.

Maddy summarySCR 96 is a symbolic resolution designating June as "Caribbean American Heritage Month" in Delaware. It honors the cultural contributions and history of Delaware's Caribbean American community through a formal state recognition. The resolution has no policy or funding implications - it simply acknowledges this observance for all Delaware residents. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any specific group beyond the symbolic gesture.

Senate Joint Resolution No. 3 was passed by the 152nd General Assembly and signed by the Governor. SJR No. 3 directed all electric utilities in Delaware that offer net metering to solar customers to participate in a cost-benefit study and analysis of net metering in Delaware being undertaken by the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility to address issues such as cost burdens and cost shifting to non-solar customers. The DESEU was to issue a report by December 31, 2024. However, due to the scope and complexity of the net metering study, the DESEU requires additional time to issue the report. This resolution reinstates the requirements of SJR No. 3 and extends the DESEU's reporting deadline to complete the cost-benefit study and analysis and finalize and issue a report to April 30, 2025.

This Act amends Title 16, Chapter 76 of the Delaware Code relating to energy conservation identified in county and municipal building and plumbing codes. Consistent with codes in other States, including New York, Rhode Island, and Washington, among others, this Act requires as a threshold that counties and municipalities must, at minimum, meet the threshold adopted by the Delaware Energy Office (“DEO”). The Act authorizes counties and municipalities to go above the threshold adopted by the DEO. This Act also amends Title 29, Chapter 80 of the Delaware Code by charging the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council and the Sustainable Energy Utility to collaborate to design programs to promote and support the development and construction of energy efficient housing, including programs to alleviate the potential increased upfront costs caused by the adoption of local stretch codes.