Delaware Officials Address Surging Delmarva Power Bills

Delaware residents are facing severe increases in their Delmarva Power bills, with reports of bills more than doubling due to unusually cold winter temperatures and higher electricity usage. A Senate committee, led by Senator Stephanie Hansen, held a hearing to investigate the reasons behind these spikes, which affected numerous constituents and prompted widespread frustration. Delmarva Power attributed the increases primarily to higher usage during the cold months, indicating that 99% of the increase was due to weather-related demand. However, lawmakers are exploring legislative changes to improve consumer protection and ensure utility rate fairness, potentially adopting stricter prudence standards similar to those in neighboring states. Customers have expressed that assistance programs are insufficient, calling for long-term solutions to prevent future spikes. Another hearing is scheduled to continue discussions on energy reliability and support for impacted ratepayers.